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 address 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 for your scalp, intended to promote hair growth. Hope Mitchell, MD, a 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, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, adds that dermarolling can improve the penetration of topical treatments for hair loss, such as minoxidil or peptide-based scalp serums, so they can work more effectively.
Not all dermarollers are made the same, and when it comes to treating hair loss, you’ll want to use ones that deliver real results. According to the experts and yours truly, find the best dermarollers for hair growth below.
- Does Dermarolling Really Regrow Hair?
- Is a 1-mm or 0.5-mm Dermaroller Better for Hair Growth?
- How Long Should You Dermaroll for Hair Growth?
- How to Use a Dermaroller for Hair Growth
- Risks of Dermarolling for Hair Growth
- How We Tested
- Meet the Experts
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 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 (paired with Vegamour’s Gro Hair Serum, eating healthy, sleeping at a reasonable hour, and keeping stress at bay), I noticed the thinning area looked less sparse. It’s easy to do and definitely worth the extra step in your skin-care and hair routine—as long as you’re consistent with it. —Audrey Noble, contributor
- Needle Length: 0.25 mm
- Needle Material: Medical-grade stainless steel
Best for a Customized Treatment: Beauty Ora Microneedle Face Full Body Roller Kit
- Why We Love It: Who doesn’t love options? A pick from Dr. Mitchell, this Beauty Ora kit gives you four interchangeable roller heads for your face and entire body. Where our scalps are concerned, you can turn to the face head with a 0.5-mm needle length (Dr. Mitchell recommends using a dermaroller with a needle length of 0.25 to 0.5 mm) and about 600 tiny needles total for mild stimulation. As a bonus, it comes with a protective storage case and a sterilization tray to help keep your dermaroller clean after every use. “I always emphasize that they work best as a complement to professional [hair loss] treatments,” she says. “Not a replacement.”
- Needle Length: Face Head—0.5mm
- Needle Material: Medical-grade titanium steel
Best for Small Areas: Act+Acre Dermastamp
- Why We Love It: Another pick from Dr. Garshick, this tool from Act+Acre is a literal stamp rather than the typical roller application to better target thinning areas. The needles are on the smaller end of the recommended length at 0.25 mm, but it promises results after 12 weeks. Simply press the dermastamp once or twice per section (and use a topical treatment to better support hair growth), and you’re good to go.
- Needle Length: 0.25 mm
- Needle Material: Medical-grade stainless steel
Everything You Need to Know
Does Dermarolling Really Regrow Hair?
The short answer is yes, but it’s not the magic fix that you think it is. Dr. Mitchell says it can definitely help by improving circulation and allowing topical treatments to penetrate more effectively, but you have to be consistent with it and pair it with proven hair loss treatments like minoxidil.
You’ll also have to consider what type of hair loss and thinning you’re dealing with. “Results really depend on the underlying cause of hair loss,” she says. “Forms of scarring hair loss are less likely to respond well to this [type of] treatment.” Dr. Garshick agrees and says that dermarolling is most helpful for hair thinning that is related to androgenetic alopecia.
Is a 1-mm or a 0.5-mm Dermaroller Better for Hair Growth?
Both Dr. Garshick and Dr. Mitchell recommend looking for a dermaroller with a 0.25-mm to 0.5-mm needle. “These depths can be effective while still being safe for more people,” says Dr. Mitchell. “A 1-mm roller penetrates deeper, but that’s something I prefer to manage in a clinical setting where we can monitor the skin more closely.”
That said, longer needles, such as a 1-mm needle, may increase the risk of irritation or injury if not used correctly, adds Dr. Garshick. “In-office microneedling treatments may use deeper needles, but at-home treatments should prioritize safety and gradual results,” she says.
How Long Should You Dermaroll for Hair Growth?
Hair growth takes time, so both experts say patience is key. “I usually tell patients to give it at least three to six months of consistent use to see results. You’re working with the natural hair cycle, so results won’t be immediate. But with consistency, you can start to see improvement.”
Dr. Garshick cautions against using a dermaroller every day and recommends starting with once-weekly use to see how your scalp tolerates it.
How to Use a Dermaroller for Hair Growth
Start with a sanitized dermaroller and a clean scalp. Then Dr. Garshick says to part the hair to expose the thinning area. Once that part of the scalp is visible, you’ll gently roll the dermaroller over the area in multiple directions. “I usually recommend rolling horizontally, vertically, and diagonally several times with light pressure,” she says.
You’ll want to repeat this process in other thinning areas of the scalp. Even though you can use a dermaroller anywhere, she says that it works best where hair usually thins out, like at your hairline or on a widening part. Just be sure to use a hair growth treatment or serum that contains minoxidil, peptides, and caffeine to support hair growth.
Just be sure not to overdo it. “You’re stimulating the scalp, not damaging it,” says Dr. Mitchell.
Risks of Dermarolling for Hair Growth
Dr. Mitchell says the risks include irritation or inflammation if the dermaroller isn’t used properly or infection if it isn’t clean. She wouldn’t recommend this for anyone with active scalp conditions or inflammatory hair loss disorders such as alopecia areata (unless you’re under a dermatologist’s care) or anyone prone to scarring.
Dr. Garshick adds that you should never use a dermaroller on areas with open wounds. If you’re experiencing significant hair loss, she recommends seeing a dermatologist first to identify the underlying cause before introducing dermarolling into your routine.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts, from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians, to gain professional insight into the industry’s standout products—those these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
Regarding dermarollers for hair growth, we selected the best based on the following criteria: needle length, needle material, ease of use, and design. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the Experts
- Hope Mitchell, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mitchell Dermatology
- Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology
