The Guide to Reclaiming Your Hair: My Micro Needling Journey
Imagine looking in the mirror and seeing a scalp that is starting to show more skin than hair. I spent over a year in that battle. But I didn't just accept it. I learned how to micro needle, and I successfully grew my hair back, gaining a ton of new density. Many people want to know exactly how I did it, to avoid the mistakes that slow down progress. So, let me tell you the story of how I used micro needling, also known as derma rolling, to turn things around.
The Science Behind the Tiny Needles
Micro needling is one of the best treatments for hair loss today. The device uses tiny needles that create micro-punctures in the top layer of your skin. This stimulates your skin's healing process, producing collagen and elastin fibers. If you have hair loss, this stimulation reaches the dermal papilla, making your hair grow thicker and healthier again. But here is the key: many people still don't know how to do it correctly. They often hurt themselves, and doing it wrong can cause more damage to the hair and actually slow down the entire hair growth progress.
Step One: Choosing the Right Weapon
The first decision you need to make is which micro needling device to use. The two most common are the derma roller and the Derma pen. The derma roller is the most popular and the best value option. People prefer it for two reasons. First, derma rollers are widely available and easily purchased online, such as on Amazon. Second, it is the cheapest of all the micro needling devices. Never pay more than $15 for one, as it will not be worth it. When choosing one, make sure it comes with real needles. Using the skin of a banana as an example, you can see how a 192 real needle derma roller is better and less harsh on your skin than the usual 540 needle derma rollers for hair loss. The needle length you choose is also important. It can be anywhere between 0.3 to 1.5 mm. Never use needles longer than that for your safety.
If you prefer, you can also get a Derma pen. Derma pens are like derma rollers, but they are motorized. They are considerably more expensive, ranging from $50 to $100. The advantage of a Derma pen is that it is automatic, which makes micro needling easier. You can also change the cartridge and adjust the depth, which is a plus. But from what I have seen, most people are okay with using a derma roller. In my opinion, it comes down to money. If you can spend $50 to $100 on a dermapen, you should. But honestly, the derma roller will be just as good. It is up to you to decide which is best for your needs.
Step Two: The Correct Technique
The first thing you must do before you start is disinfect the micro needling device. This step is very important because otherwise you could get an infection. With the derma roller, you can dip it in alcohol for 5 minutes before using it. If you don't have alcohol, you can use warm water and soap to kill any microorganisms, and this will be sufficient. The Derma pen is much easier in this case because you only need to change the cartridges, which are already sterile in the box.
Next, you need to expose the thinning area. Lightly moisten your hair to create a parting where you want your hair to grow back. This will help prevent the hair from getting stuck during micro needling. Then, roll the derma roller horizontally over the damaged area five to seven times. Lift the roller, and repeat five to seven times vertically. This should be enough to get the job done. If you are using the dermapen, set the speed to a comfortable level and move the Derma pen in small circles around the thinning area. Moving the dermapen quickly is important since it is much faster than the roller. The normal duration is leaving the Derma pen for one second on your skin before moving to the next area. With both the derma roller and the dermapen, you will know you have done it correctly when your skin turns slightly red. You should only micro needle once a week. More than that can be bad for your skin and your follicles, so do not overdo it.
Step Three: The Perfect Partner
Micro needling your scalp works best in combination with a hair growth serum. This is because the tiny wounds allow the serum to penetrate the skin and reach the follicles. However, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Minoxidil is the best hair growth serum on the market. It is the one I used, giving me all these great results. Normally, you need to use Minoxidil every day. However, after micro needling, you should skip that day and wait 24 hours before using Minoxidil again. This will prevent Minoxidil from getting into your system too quickly. The same goes for other natural hair growth serums, such as rosemary oil.
So, what results have you had after micro needling? Is it better to use a derma roller or a Derma pen? Write it down in the comments below. Until next time, I wish you a Happy Hair Journey. Adios.