Dermaroller for hair and scalp – how does it work?

Dermaroller for hair and scalp has become a popular area of use for microneedling. Instead of treating the face, a tool with many small needles is gently rolled over the scalp to create controlled mechanical stimulation.

Microneedling has been studied as a possible part of treatment primarily for androgenetic hair loss, also called hereditary hair loss. The research is promising, especially when microneedling has been combined with established treatments, but that does not mean that a dermaroller guarantees increased hair growth.

What is a dermaroller for hair?

A dermaroller is a manual microneedling tool in which a cylinder with small needles is rolled over the skin. The same basic principle can be used both on the skin and on the scalp.

When the roller is moved over the scalp, the needles create many small, controlled punctures in the surface of the skin. The body responds to the mechanical stimulation through a local healing process.

If you want to read more about the tool in general, you can read our guide on what a dermaroller is good for.

Can dermaroller help with hair loss?

There is research suggesting that microneedling may have a positive effect in certain forms of hair loss, especially androgenetic alopecia.

The strongest research does not necessarily concern dermaroller as a standalone treatment. Several clinical studies have instead examined microneedling together with other treatments, for example topical minoxidil.

A systematic review and meta-analysis from 2025 included 12 randomized studies with a total of 631 people with androgenetic alopecia. The combination of microneedling and minoxidil produced, on average, greater improvement in hair count than minoxidil alone, although the results varied clearly between studies.

This means that there is scientific support for microneedling being a complementary treatment for certain types of hair loss, but the research does not establish that a dermaroller at home works for everyone or that it should replace medical treatment.

You can read more about the subject in our separate guide on microneedling and hair loss.

How could microneedling affect the scalp?

Researchers have proposed several possible mechanisms behind the effect of microneedling on hair growth.

The controlled mechanical stimulation activates the skin’s repair process. This may affect signaling substances, growth factors, and processes around the hair follicles.

Microneedling can also temporarily alter the skin barrier. That is one reason why the method has been studied together with topical treatments.

However, this does not mean that regular hair products or serums are automatically suitable to apply to a newly treated scalp. Products used in connection with microneedling must be chosen with regard to formulation, irritation, and intended use.

Dermaroller or microneedling pen for the scalp?

Both dermarollers and electronic microneedling pens work with small needles, but the movement of the needles differs.

A dermaroller is rolled manually over the scalp. The needles follow the rotating cylinder and therefore go in and out of the skin in an arcing motion.

A microneedling pen instead works with needles that move rapidly vertically up and down. The practitioner can usually adjust needle depth and speed on electronic pens.

Which method is used in clinical studies varies. A meta-analysis from 2025 found no clear difference in results depending on whether the studies used rolling or electronic microneedling devices, but the research is heterogeneous and the treatment protocols differ greatly between studies.

Dermaroller or dermastamp on the scalp?

A dermastamp is pressed or "stamped" against a limited area instead of being rolled over the skin.

This can make a dermastamp practical when you want to treat smaller areas or work between hair strands without rolling the tool through the hair.

A dermaroller, on the other hand, can be faster over larger and more easily accessible parts of the scalp.

You can read more about the differences in our guide on dermastamp and how it works.

How do you use a dermaroller on the scalp?

A dermaroller should always be used gently. The goal is not to press as hard as possible or to cause heavy bleeding.

A basic routine may look like this:

• Make sure the scalp and hair are clean.
• Use a clean and properly disinfected dermaroller.
• Part the hair so that the roller reaches the scalp and does not just get stuck in the hair.
• Work systematically over the area to be treated.
• Use light and controlled pressure.
• Preferably lift the roller between passes instead of dragging it over the same area.
• Clean and disinfect the roller after use according to the product instructions.

Avoid rolling over open wounds, infected areas, or clearly inflamed and irritated scalp.

What needle length should be used on the scalp?

There is no single needle depth that is best for everyone. In clinical studies of microneedling for hair loss, different needle depths, treatment intervals, and types of equipment have been used.

A systematic review has, for example, identified treatments with depths from about 0.5 to 2.5 mm, but these studies involve professional and controlled treatment protocols. They should not be interpreted as a general recommendation for home treatment.

Deeper needles mean greater impact on the skin and a higher risk of irritation, bleeding, and other complications. For home use, you should therefore always follow the instructions for the specific tool and not choose a greater needle depth solely in the belief that deeper automatically gives better results.

If you want to understand the difference between different needle depths, you can read our guide to needle depths for microneedling.

How often can you use a dermaroller on the scalp?

The treatment interval depends, among other things, on needle length, how the skin reacts, and what type of treatment is being carried out.

The greater the impact on the skin, the more time it normally needs to recover. It is therefore not a good idea to treat a scalp that is still red, tender, or irritated from the previous treatment.

Clinical studies of microneedling for hair loss have used very different treatment intervals, which means that research has not yet established a single optimal schedule.

Also read our guide on how often you can use a dermaroller.

Can you use minoxidil together with dermaroller?

Minoxidil is an established treatment for certain types of hair loss and has often been combined with microneedling in research.

Systematic reviews of randomized studies show that the combination of microneedling and topical minoxidil can produce greater improvement in hair count in androgenetic alopecia than minoxidil alone.

However, this does not mean that minoxidil should automatically be applied directly to a newly treated scalp. Microneedling affects the skin barrier and can change how a topical product is absorbed and how the skin reacts.

If you use medication for hair loss, you should therefore follow the product’s medical instructions and consult a healthcare provider about how the treatment should be combined with microneedling.

How do you clean a dermaroller for the scalp?

Good hygiene is especially important because the needles come into direct contact with the skin.

A dermaroller should be personal and never shared with anyone else. It should be cleaned and disinfected according to the manufacturer’s instructions after use and stored so that the needles are kept clean and protected.

If the needles are bent, damaged, or worn, the tool should not be used.

We have a separate guide on how to clean and disinfect a dermaroller.

When should you not use a dermaroller on the scalp?

Do not use a dermaroller on areas with active infection, open wounds, clear inflammation, or severe irritation.

Hair loss can also have many different causes. Hereditary hair loss is just one of them. Sudden or patchy hair loss, severe itching, pain, sores, flaking, or inflammation may be signs of other conditions that need to be assessed.

If you do not know why you are losing hair, it is therefore wise to have the cause assessed first before you begin treating the scalp on your own.

Dermaroller DRS 192 for the scalp

Dermaroller DRS 192 is a classic manual dermaroller with 192 microneedles and is available in several needle lengths.

Regardless of which dermaroller is used, it is important to choose needle length based on the area of use, follow the product instructions, and prioritize hygiene and controlled technique over hard pressure or frequent treatments.

How long does it take before you see results?

Hair grows slowly, which means that changes should not be expected after a few days or a single treatment.

Studies of microneedling for hair loss have followed participants for several months. The result is also affected by the cause of the hair loss, any concurrent treatment, the individual’s hair growth cycle, and the treatment protocol.

It is therefore more relevant to evaluate progress over time than to assess results directly after each treatment.

Summary

Dermaroller is one of several tools that can be used for microneedling on the scalp.

• Research shows promising results for microneedling primarily for androgenetic hair loss.
• The strongest research support often concerns microneedling in combination with established treatments such as minoxidil.
• There is still no universally optimal needle depth or treatment interval.
• More and deeper treatment is not automatically better.
• Good hygiene is important to reduce the risk of irritation and infection.
• Sudden, patchy, or inflamed hair loss should be assessed before treating the scalp.

Microneedling can therefore be an interesting complement for certain types of hair loss, but a dermaroller should not be regarded as a guaranteed solution or as a substitute for finding out why the hair loss has occurred.

Common questions about dermaroller for hair and scalp

Does dermaroller work for hair growth?

Research shows that microneedling may contribute to improved hair parameters, especially in androgenetic hair loss, particularly when the treatment is combined with other established treatments. However, results vary between individuals, and a dermaroller does not guarantee new hair growth.

Can you use a dermaroller on the scalp?

Yes, a dermaroller can be used for microneedling on the scalp. The tool should be used gently, kept clean, and not used on infected, wounded, or severely irritated skin.

What needle length is best for dermaroller on the scalp?

There is no single needle depth that is best for everyone. Clinical studies have used several different depths and treatment protocols. Deeper needles mean greater impact on the skin and are not automatically more effective.

How often should you use a dermaroller for hair?

It depends, among other things, on needle length, the intensity of the treatment, and how quickly the scalp recovers. Clinical studies have used different intervals, and there is no single schedule that suits everyone.

Can you use minoxidil together with a dermaroller?

Microneedling and minoxidil have been combined in several clinical studies, and the combination has shown promising results in androgenetic hair loss. Since microneedling affects the skin barrier, medications should be used according to medical instructions and any combination should be discussed with a healthcare provider.