As a lover of high, snatched ponytails, my heart really sank the day I looked in the mirror and noticed that the left side of my hairline was noticeably thinner than my right side. I should’ve known better that all that tight tension would eventually catch up to me. (Being a chronically-stressed person who strongly advocates for McDonald’s McNuggets as a weekly treat to feel better certainly can’t help either.) Since noticing the thinning, I’ve made a few lifestyle tweaks and switched to appropriate hair loss products to transform the sparse areas. Of all my recent solutions, though, a derm-approved method has become a personal favorite. Behold: dermarolling for hair growth.
Dermatologist’s Favorite Dermarollers for Hair Growth
For the uninitiated, dermarolling is a form of microneedling, but for your scalp in hopes to promote hair growth. Hope Mitchell, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mitchell Dermatology, explains that this handheld tool with fine needles makes tiny micro-injuries that boost blood flow and collagen production to create a more supportive environment for hair follicles to grow. “You’re increasing blood flow to the scalp and helping to ‘wake up’ sluggish follicles,” says Dr. Mitchell.
Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, adds that dermarolling can improve the penetration of topical treatments aimed at hair loss, such as minoxidil or peptide-based scalp serums, so they can perform better.
Not all dermarollers are made the same, and when it comes to treating hair loss, you’ll want to use ones that will give you real results. According to the experts and yours truly, the best dermarollers for hair growth, below.
In This Story:
Best Overall: Vegamour GRO+ Advanced Dermaroller
- Why We Love It: Beloved by experts and editors (especially me), this dermaroller from Vegamour is top-tier. It is made with 1,200 stainless steel needles that gently prick at the scalp to stimulate blood flow and promote hair growth. Dr. Garshick recommends using this dermaroller with a topical hair loss treatment, like Rogaine’s 5% Minoxidil Foam or the Neutrogena Hair Restore Advanced Growth Scalp Serum, for best results.
- Editor’s Experience: “The universe works in mysterious ways. Just as I noticed thinning near my hairline, I had a meeting lined up with the Vegamour team to learn about their dermaroller. It intrigued me enough to give it a try, and after a couple of weeks of consistent use (and paired with Vegamour’s GRO Hair Serum, eating healthy, sleeping at a reasonable hour, and keeping stress at bay), I immediately noticed the thinning area started to look less sparse. It’s easy to do and definitely worth the extra step in your skincare / hair routine—as long as you’re consistent with it.” — Audrey Noble, contributor
- Needle Length: 0.25mm
- Needle Material: Medical-grade stainless steel
