 |
THERAPEUTIC ROUND |
|
Year : 2015 | Volume
: 60
| Issue : 3 | Page : 260-263 |
|
Response to microneedling treatment in men with androgenetic alopecia who failed to respond to conventional therapy |
|
Rachita Dhurat, Sukesh Mathapati
Department of Dermatology, LTM Medical College and General Hospital, Sion, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Date of Web Publication | 6-May-2015 |
Correspondence Address: Rachita Dhurat B 14/2 Maitri Park CHS, Sion Trombay Road, Chembur, Mumbai 400 071, Maharashtra India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0019-5154.156361
|
|
Abstract | | |
Introduction: The efficacy of conventional therapy viz. finasteride and minoxidil in androgenetic alopecia (AGA) that is based on both preventing hair loss and promoting new hair growth, varies between 30% and 60%. This has led to a large number of patients unsatisfied who demand for a better cosmetic coverage over the scalp. Microneedling has recently been reported to be promising, effective and a safe treatment modality in the treatment of AGA. This augments the response of conventional therapy. Materials and Methods: Four men with AGA were on finasteride and 5% minoxidil solution since 2 to 5 years. Though there was no worsening in their respective AGA stages with the therapy, they showed no new hair growth. They were subjected to microneedling procedure over a period of 6 months along with their ongoing therapy. Patients were assessed with the use of the standardized 7-point evaluation scale and patients' subjective hair growth assessment scale. The patients were followed up for 18 months post microneedling procedure to assess the sustainability of the response. Results: All patients showed a response of + 2 to + 3 on standardized 7-point evaluation scale. The response in the form of new hair growth started after 8-10 sessions. The patients' satisfaction was more than 75% in three patients and more 50% in one patient, on patients' subjective hair growth assessment scale. The obtained results were sustained post procedure during 18 months follow-up period. Conclusion : Treatment with microneedling showed an accelerated response with addition of microneedling procedure leading to significant scalp density. This is the first case series to report the boosting effect of microneedling with respect to new hair follicle stimulation in patients with androgenetic alopecia who were poor responders to conventional therapy.
Keywords: Androgenetic alopecia, finasteride, microneedling, minoxidil, new hair growth
How to cite this article: Dhurat R, Mathapati S. Response to microneedling treatment in men with androgenetic alopecia who failed to respond to conventional therapy. Indian J Dermatol 2015;60:260-3 |
How to cite this URL: Dhurat R, Mathapati S. Response to microneedling treatment in men with androgenetic alopecia who failed to respond to conventional therapy. Indian J Dermatol [serial online] 2015 [cited 2023 Oct 3];60:260-3. Available from: https://www.e-ijd.org/text.asp?2015/60/3/260/156361 |
What was known?
- Efficacy of conventional therapies (viz. finasteride and minoxidil) in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia with respect to new hair growth is moderate.
- Microneedling has recently been reported to be promising and safe treatment modality in the treatment of AGA.
Introduction | |  |
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of alopecia in men. Although the pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia revolves around androgens, genes, inflammation and signalling pathways; the conventional therapy options (finasteride and minoxidil) mainly target the androgens. About 40% of men with AGA go bald despite on conventional therapy. [1],[2],[3] Microneedling is a recent advancement to the treatment modality for AGA. Its efficacy has been established by the authors recently. [4] In the present case series, we report four men with AGA, who had no/minimal new hair growth with conventional therapy, and responded to addition of microneedling treatment leading to significant scalp density. We have modified our microneedling protocol to reduce frequent visits of the patients to the clinic
Case Reports | |  |
Case 1 - A 30-year-old male was suffering from AGA since 8 years. He was on oral finasteride and topical 5% minoxidil regularly since 4 years and also had underwent hair transplantation surgery 2 years ago. He reported an arrest in hair loss but was unsatisfied in terms of cosmetic scalp coverage. On examination, he had grade V Hamilton Norwood pattern of hair loss with few transplanted hairs seen on frontal area and thin hairs on the temporal and midscalp area [Figure 1]. | Figure 1: A 30-year-old male with Grade V Hamilton Norwood pattern of hair loss with few transplanted hairs seen on frontal area and thin hairs on the temporal and midscalp area
Click here to view |
Case 2 - A 28-year-old male with grade VII hair loss was treated with finasteride and minoxidil for over 5 years. He was also treated with 40 sessions of mesotherapy (cocktail of minoxidil and amino acids). Despite all this, he was not satisfied with new hair growth and hence he underwent hair transplantation 2 years ago. Minimal new hair regrowth was noted with hair transplantation but not to the patient's satisfaction. He presented to us with a desire to increase the density of hair [Figure 2]a-c] | Figure 2: (a, b, c) A 28-year-old male with grade VII hair loss with minimal new hair regrowth noted after hair transplantation
Click here to view |
Case 3 - A 35-year-old male with grade V hair loss was on finasteride and minoxidil for over 2 years. He had no significant improvement with respect to new hair growth. He wished for a better scalp coverage of hair [Figure 3]a-c. | Figure 3: (a, b, c) A 35-year-old male with grade V hair loss was on finasteride and minoxidil for over 2 years
Click here to view |
Case 4 - A 40-year-old male with female pattern type III of hair loss was taking conventional therapy for over 3 years but unsatisfied with respect to new hair growth [Figure 4].
Microneedling procedure
The scalp was surgically cleansed with betadine and normal saline. A dermaroller of 1.5 mm sized needles was gently rolled over the affected areas of the scalp in longitudinal, vertical, and diagonal directions until mild erythema was noted; this was considered as the end point of the procedure. Each procedure lasted for about 20-25 minutes. The patients were advised to continue with their ongoing therapy with finasteride and minoxidil.
All the patients were subjected to microneedling procedure weekly for 4 sessions initially and then fortnightly for subsequent 11 sessions. The total duration of microneedling treatment lasted for 24 weeks.
Evaluation
Baseline and post treatment photographs (at week 24) were taken on a tailor-made stereotactic device and the patients were assessed with the use of the standardized 7-point evaluation scale (-3 = greatly decreased, -2 = moderately decreased, -1 = slightly decreased, 0 = no change, +1 = slightly increased, +2 = moderately increased, +3 = greatly increased).
Patients also assessed their hair growth on subjective assessment scale of 0-4 (0: No improvement; 1: 1-25% improvement; 2: 26-50% improvement; 3: 51-75% improvement; 4: 76-100% improvement)
After completion of 15 sessions of microneedling, all patients were advised to continue with finasteride and minoxidil. The patients were followed up for 18 months after the last microneedling procedure to assess the sustainability of the response.
Results | |  |
All patients reported subjective increase in thickness of thin hair after a month of initiation of microneedling procedure.
After 3 months, new hairs were noticed on scalp surface and by end of 6 months significant scalp coverage was noted with the response of grade +2 to +3 on the standardised 7-point evaluation scale [Figure 5], [Figure 6], [Figure 7], [Figure 8]. At end of 6 months, three patients rated more than 75% improvement and one patient (Case 2) reported more than 50% improvement on patients' subjective evaluation of hair growth and were highly satisfied with the response. | Figure 6: (a, b, c) + 2 response noted in patient 2, at the end of six months
Click here to view |
 | Figure 7: (a, b, c) +2 response noted in patient 3, at the end of six months
Click here to view |
 | Figure 8: (a, b, c) Hair regrowth at the end of 1st month , 3rd month and at the end of 6 months (+3 response) noted in patient 4
Click here to view |
At the end of 18 months of follow up, all patients had maintained the same response that was achieved at the end of last session of microneedling.
Discussion | |  |
AGA affects up to 30% of men below the age of 30 years and approximately 50% of men above 50 years of age. [5] There is a significant psycho-social impact associated with it. [6] There has also been a growing demand among the patients to seek treatment, not only to prevent the existing hair loss but more so to regain new hair with good thickness and density.
Cochrane review reports that the efficacy of finasteride and minoxidil for AGA varies between 40% and 60%. This implies that a significant number of patients go bald despite therapy.The reported efficacy is in terms of arresting of ongoing hair loss and new hair regrowth. Data on the efficacy with regards to only new hair regrowth with the above therapy is not documented. A large proportion of patients with AGA remain unsatisfied with respect to new hair growth with the existing therapies. One of the reasons for this could be the multiple factors implicated in the pathogenesis of AGA which involves not only DHT but also inflammation, genes, signalling pathways [7] (stimulatory pathways like Wnt/B catenin, stat 3 and Shh and inhibitory pathways of Dkk-1, Dickkopf-related protein 1 and BMP 4); growth factors, activation of stem cells of the hair bulge and improving vascularity. The existing conventional therapies (i.e. finasteride and minoxidil) fail to target all of them.
Microneedling is a novel and safe tool in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia which induces hair regrowth by the following. [8],[9],[10]
- Release of platelet-derived growth factor and epidermal growth factors are increased through platelet activation and skin wound regeneration mechanism
- Activation of stem cells in the hair bulge area under wound healing conditions which is caused by a dermaroller
- Overexpression of hair growth-related genes, vascular endothelial growth factor, B catenin, Wnt3a, and Wnt10 b as documented in animal studies.
Our first in man study demonstrated the augmented effect of microneedling in promoting hair growth in men with AGA. [4] We have modified our microneedling protocol to reduce frequent visits of the patients to the clinic.
The present case series highlights the beneficial effect of microneedling in promoting new hair regrowth even in patients showing poor response to conventional therapy by targeting other pathogenetic mechanisms of AGA.
Conclusion | |  |
The pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia is multifactorial and is still not clear. The efficacy of the conventional therapies with respect to new hair growth is unsatisfactory. The present case series shows that the addition of microneedling procedure augments the response even in poor responders to conventional therapy.
As microneedling targets multiple pathogenetic factors of AGA, we are of the opinion that this procedure should be offered to patients with AGA for new and faster hair follicle stimulation.
However, the total number and frequency of sessions and long-term sustainability of response of microneedling need to be evaluated within a larger population.
References | |  |
1. | Tosti A, Duque-Estrada B. Treatment strategies for alopecia. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2009;10:1017-26. |
2. | Mella JM, Perret MC, Manzotti M, Catalano HN, Guyatt G. Efficacy and safety of finasteride therapy for androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review. Arch Dermatol 2010;146:1141-50. |
3. | Schweiger ES, Boychenko O, Bernstein RM. Update on the pathogenesis, genetics and medical treatment of patterned hair loss. J Drugs Dermatol 2010;9:1412-9. |
4. | Dhurat R, Sukesh MS, Avhad G, Dandale A, Pal A, Pund P. A randomized evaluator blinded study of effect of microneedling in androgenetic alopecia: A pilot study. Int J Trichology 2013;5:6-11. |
5. | Hamilton JB. Patterned hair loss in man: Types and incidence. Ann NY Acad Sci 1951;53:708-28.  [ PUBMED] |
6. | Valente Duarte de Sousa IC, Tosti A. New investigational drugs for androgenetic alopecia. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2013;22:573-89. |
7. | Leirós GJ, Attorresi AI, Balañá ME. Hair follicle stem cell differentiation is inhibited through cross-talk between Wnt/β-catenin and androgen signalling in dermal papilla cells from patients with androgenetic alopecia. Br J Dermatol 2012;166:1035-42. |
8. | Jeong K, Lee YJ, Kim JE, Park YM, Kim BJ, Kang H. Repeated microneedle stimulation induce the enhanced expression of hair-growth-related genes. Int J Trichology 2012;4:117. |
9. | Kim BJ, Lim YY, Kim HM, Lee YW, Won CH, Huh CH, et al. Hair follicle regeneration in mice after wounding by microneedle roller. Int J Trichology 2012;4:117. |
10. | O'Toole EA, Mellerio JE. Wound healing. In: Burns TB, Cox N, Griffiths C, editors. Rook's Textbook of Dermatology. 8 th ed. United Kingdom: Blackwell Publishing; 2010. p. 14.1-27. |
What is new?
- Modification of microneedling protocol to reduce frequent visits of the patients to the clinic.
- It is the first case series to report the boosting effect of microneedling with respect to new hair follicle stimulation in patients with androgenetic alopecia who were poor responders to conventional therapy.
[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4], [Figure 5], [Figure 6], [Figure 7], [Figure 8] |
|
This article has been cited by | 1 |
Efficacy and safety of combinational therapy using topical minoxidil and microneedling for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
|
| Parsa Abdi, Christian Awad, Michelle R. Anthony, Christopher Farkouh, Bret Kenny, Howard I. Maibach, Boluwaji Ogunyemi | | Archives of Dermatological Research. 2023; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 2 |
Androgenetic Alopecia: Therapy Update |
|
| Shivali Devjani, Ogechi Ezemma, Kristen J. Kelley, Emma Stratton, Maryanne Senna | | Drugs. 2023; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 3 |
Boosting hair growth through follicular delivery of Melatonin through lecithin-enhanced Pickering emulsion stabilized by chitosan-dextran nanoparticles in testosterone induced androgenic alopecia rat model |
|
| Asmaa A. Elshall, Amira M. Ghoneim, Nehad M. Abd-elmonsif, Rihab Osman, Dalia S. Shaker | | International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 2023; 639: 122972 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 4 |
Exploring new frontiers in drug delivery with minimally invasive microneedles: fabrication techniques, biomedical applications, and regulatory aspects |
|
| Niha Sultana, Ayesha Waheed, Asad Ali, Samreen Jahan, Mohd Aqil, Yasmin Sultana, Mohd. Mujeeb | | Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery. 2023; : 1 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 5 |
Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: Current Guidance and Unmet Needs |
|
| Michael Kaiser, Rama Abdin, Simonetta I Gaumond, Naiem T Issa, Joaquin J Jimenez | | Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2023; Volume 16: 1387 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 6 |
Observation on the Efficacy of a Combined Treatment for Moderate and Severe Androgenetic Alopecia Incorporating Electric Microneedles |
|
| Fan Zhang, Yi-Nuo Yang, Jin-Di Feng, Jing-Hui Zhao, Li Wan, Jing Che, Ying Yan, Ning-Ning Guo, Jia-Yu Zhang | | Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2022; Volume 15: 2573 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 7 |
Synergistic effect of microneedle-delivered extracellular matrix compound and radiofrequency on rejuvenation of periorbital wrinkles |
|
| Haiyan Cheng, Ruina Zhang, Fenglin Zhuo | | Frontiers in Medicine. 2022; 9 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 8 |
Efficacy and Safety of 5% Minoxidil Alone, Minoxidil Plus Oral Spironolactone, and Minoxidil Plus Microneedling on Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Prospective, Single-Center, Parallel-Group, Evaluator Blinded, Randomized Trial |
|
| Xuelei Liang, Yuan Chang, Haixuan Wu, Yi Liu, Jian Zhao, Leyi Wang, Fenglin Zhuo | | Frontiers in Medicine. 2022; 9 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 9 |
Therapeutics of microneedling for skin repair |
|
| Nagaraja Sreeharsha, Mazen AL gharsan | | Asian Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2022; : 199 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 10 |
Randomized trial of microneedling combined with 2% minoxidil topical solution for the treatment of female pattern hair loss in a Chinese population |
|
| Yao Zhang, Youyu Sheng, Yibin Zeng, Ruiming Hu, Jun Zhao, Wuqing Wang, Qinping Yang | | Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2022; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 11 |
Microneedle arrays for cutaneous and transcutaneous drug delivery, disease diagnosis, and cosmetic aid |
|
| Vineet Kumar Rai, Ivy Saha, Mahboob Alam, Kumar Nishchaya, Goutam Ghosh, Goutam Rath | | Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. 2022; : 104058 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 12 |
A Comprehensive Review of Microneedling as a Potential Treatment Option for Androgenetic Alopecia |
|
| Lingling Jia, Jiachao Xiong, Rong Guo, Yufei Li, Hua Jiang | | Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2022; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 13 |
Minoxidil-loaded hyaluronic acid dissolving microneedles to alleviate hair loss in an alopecia animal model |
|
| Min Jae Kim, Keum-Yong Seong, Da Som Kim, Jea Sic Jeong, So Young Kim, Seungsoo Lee, Seung Yun Yang, Beum-Soo An | | Acta Biomaterialia. 2022; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 14 |
A study to assess the efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide laser with topical platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia |
|
| Sujirod Hanthavichai, Nutthinee Archavarungson, Thanwa Wongsuk | | Lasers in Medical Science. 2022; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 15 |
Energy-based Devices for Hair Loss |
|
| James T. Pathoulas, Gretchen Bellefeuille, Ora Raymond, Bisma Khalid, Ronda S. Farah | | Dermatologic Clinics. 2021; 39(3): 447 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 16 |
Combination Approaches for Combatting Hair Loss |
|
| Paul T. Rose | | Dermatologic Clinics. 2021; 39(3): 479 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 17 |
Applications of microneedling for various dermatologic indications with a special focus on pigmentary disorders: A comprehensive review study |
|
| Elham Ziaeifar, Fatemeh Ziaeifar, Samaneh Mozafarpoor, Azadeh Goodarzi | | Dermatologic Therapy. 2021; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 18 |
Combination therapy with injectable platelet-rich fibrin and microneedling for male androgenetic alopecia: an evaluation of current practice |
|
| Lucy Millar-Hume | | Journal of Aesthetic Nursing. 2021; 10(9): 408 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 19 |
Favorable effects of microneedling on long-standing androgenetic alopecia in an elderly man: A case report |
|
| Jun Fujita | | Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021; 20(2): 588 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 20 |
Microneedling in androgenetic alopecia; comparing two different depths of microneedles |
|
| Gita Faghihi, Samin Nabavinejad, Fatemeh Mokhtari, Farahnaz Fatemi Naeini, Fariba Iraji | | Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021; 20(4): 1241 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 21 |
Treatment options for androgenetic alopecia: Efficacy, side effects, compliance, financial considerations, and ethics |
|
| Mark S. Nestor, Glynis Ablon, Anita Gade, Haowei Han, Daniel L. Fischer | | Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 22 |
Hair Transplantation Surgery Versus Other Modalities of Treatment in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Narrative Review |
|
| Swathi Shivakumar, Martin Kassir, Lidia Rudnicka, Hassan Galadari, Stephan Grabbe, Mohamad Goldust | | Cosmetics. 2021; 8(1): 25 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 23 |
Update Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia |
|
| Damai Trilisnawati, Sarah Diba, Yuli Kurniawati, Suroso Adi Nugroho, Rusmawardiana Rusmawardiana, Raden Pamudji | | Berkala Ilmu Kesehatan Kulit dan Kelamin. 2021; 33(1): 63 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 24 |
Regenerative Medicine and Hair Loss: Microneedling—Is the Pain Really Worth It? |
|
| Gorana Kuka-Epstein | | International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. 2021; 31(1): 18 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 25 |
Evaluation of efficacy of QR 678 and QR678 neo hair growth factor formulation for the treatment of female pattern alopecia in patients with PCOS—A prospective study |
|
| Rinky Kapoor, Debraj Shome, Komal Doshi, Ghanshyam Patel, Sapna Vadera | | Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020; 19(10): 2637 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 26 |
A Literature Review of the Microneedle Therapy System for Hair Loss |
|
| Jeong-Hyon Kim, Sung-Eun Shim, Jun-Yeon Kim, Ha-Na Kim, Ji-Min Hwang, Kyeong-Ju Park, Min-Gi Jo, Jun-Yeong Jang, Jung-Hyun Kim, Bonhyuk Goo, Yeon-Cheol Park, Byung-Kwan Seo, Yong-Hyeon Baek, Sang-Soo Nam | | Journal of Acupuncture Research. 2020; 37(4): 203 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 27 |
A study on the efficacy of microneedling with minoxidil solution versus microneedling with hair multivitamin solution for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia |
|
| Puri Neerja | | International Journal of Dermatology and Clinical Research. 2020; 6(1): 010 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 28 |
Growth factor concentrations in platelet-rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia: An intra-subject, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, pilot study |
|
| Tee Wei Siah, Hongwei Guo, Thomas Chu, Leopoldo Santos, Hisae Nakamura, Gigi Leung, Jerry Shapiro, Kevin J. McElwee | | Experimental Dermatology. 2020; 29(3): 334 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 29 |
Effect of a sphingolipid-mimetic compound on the promotion of hair growth: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial |
|
| Weon Ju Lee, Chihyeon Sohng, Jun Young Kim, Kyung Duck Park, Yong Hyun Jang, Seok-Jong Lee | | Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020; 19(7): 1715 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 30 |
Micro needling: A novel therapeutic approach for androgenetic alopecia, A Review of Literature |
|
| Sonia Sofia Ocampo-Garza, Gabriella Fabbrocini, Jorge Ocampo-Candiani, Eleonora Cinelli, Alessia Villani | | Dermatologic Therapy. 2020; 33(6) | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 31 |
Derma rollers in therapy: the transition from cosmetics to transdermal drug delivery |
|
| Leonna Dsouza, Vivek M. Ghate, Shaila A. Lewis | | Biomedical Microdevices. 2020; 22(4) | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 32 |
Low-level laser therapy and narrative review of other treatment modalities in androgenetic alopecia |
|
| Hassan Galadari, Swathi Shivakumar, Torello Lotti, Uwe Wollina, Andy Goren, Ghasem Rahmatpour Rokni, Stephan Grabbe, Mohamad Goldust | | Lasers in Medical Science. 2020; 35(6): 1239 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 33 |
Recent advances in microneedle composites for biomedical applications: Advanced drug delivery technologies |
|
| Sanjay Sharma, Ketan Hatware, Prashant Bhadane, Sainath Sindhikar, Dinesh K. Mishra | | Materials Science and Engineering: C. 2019; 103: 109717 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | 34 |
Dermoscopic pre- and posttreatment evaluation in patients with androgenetic alopecia on platelet-rich plasma—A prospective study |
|
| Vinma H. Shetty, Saumya Goel | | Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2019; 18(5): 1380 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Article Access Statistics | | Viewed | 35387 | | Printed | 406 | | Emailed | 3 | | PDF Downloaded | 305 | | Comments | [Add] | | Cited by others | 34 | |
|

|