The internet largely recommends a depth of 1.5 mm for microneedling the scalp to achieve hair growth – but is this even accurate?
Turns out the answer may vary depending on what device you are using. Today we look at a few studies and go over some of the logic and theories involved with different microneedling depths for maximum hair growth.
Note: To be fully transparent – I have changed my views on microneedling itself and is now something I avoid doing. The risks don’t seem to be worth the rewards (if any) in my opinion. This is coming from someone who purchased a higher-end microneedling device.
Introduction
An insightful community member left this comment for me after I mentioned I was personally using 1 mm depth on my Derminator 2 for scalp microneedling – I am always interested in optimizing the safety and efficacy of anything I’m doing.
They bring up an interesting point – that there may be a pretty significant difference between microneedling devices compared to manual rollers not just in terms of the technique themselves but in terms of the actual depths of wound produced.
I’ve already discussed microneedling devices vs manual rollers in my original microneedling for hair growth post but I never even thought to compare the depths of these techniques against each other.
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The Problem
I always assumed that if you were using a microneedling device like the Dr. Pen or Derminator 2 at a depth of 1.5 mm for example you would be getting wounds of 1.5 mm and that is what the studies were based on.
This may not be the case for a few reasons:
- Manual Dermarolling devices may not reach their full depth due to the nature of it being a manual rolling device while microneedling devices are automated and reach their full noted depths.
- Most of the studies seem to be focused around a depth of 1.5 mm using manual dermarolling devices.
This discrepancy allows for frankly a lot of potentially misinformed advice to circulate – this may lead to less efficacious results in terms of hair growth.
Study Logic
Review Study on this topic.
What this section of the review is basically saying is that one study showed automated microneedling devices achieve the same depths as shown on their settings up to 1.5 mm while another study estimated that manual microneedling roller devices may only target up to 50-70% of the advertised depths due to the nature of the device itself.
The logic makes sense – an automated device that directly punctures the skin with the force of electricity, a magnet, automation, etc in a controlled and consistent manner versus a device that you physically push down and roll over your skin.
It’s only logical to realize that what these studies and the review mention is likely correct – even though a microneedling device is more consistent and does less tearing of the skin, is that same consistency actually causing us to lose out on some efficacy?
Based on the data and logical conclusions I think it is reasonable to assume that might be the case.
Length
So what length is best then?
Well – the same review also states that one study showed greater efficacy using microneedling devices at .60 – .80 mm compared to a depth of 1.20 mm.
So combining all of that past logic into a new idea: microneedling with devices may be more efficacious when done at lengths of .60 – .80 mm while microneedling with manual rollers seems to be most efficacious at that 1.5 mm depth.
Having read through a lot of these studies myself for other posts I’ve done I can say that it seems like a lot of them were based on using a manual rolling device at a depth of 1.5 mm. When you therefore translate that into automated device length that would equate to the .60 – .80 mm we arrived up from the review study.
I think it’s safe to assume the following may work best:
- Automated Microneedling Devices: .60 – .80 mm
- Manual Microneedling Rollers: 1.5 mm
Personal Experience
I may be a bit biased after reading this stuff because .75 mm with the Derminator 2 feels way nicer on the scalp compared to 1 mm.
This nuanced look into different depths has changed my mind and I can say I will stick with .75 mm (Derminator 2 only shifts by .25 so .75 mm is right in the middle) and continue to see how that works out for me.
All I can say is that even 1 mm feels like an extremely unpleasant pounding pain with bleeding and everything just seems a bit damaged in terms of excess dried blood, etc, while .75 mm feels like a nice sting and the red shadow effect on my skin only lasts for maybe one or two days.
Conclusion
Now that more and more people are getting into improving their appearances through the use of microneedling devices for hair, skin, etc I think it is important to look at nuances like this.
If you are someone who skims over the studies and reads comments online you might think that 1.5 mm is the best option for you however based on some of the studies and logic shown here I think it might be worth trying out a lower depth of around .60 – .80 mm if you use an automated device.
Either way – I think that automated devices are still the way to go as they are more hygienic, consistent, injure you less, etc.
I’m glad this was brought to my attention because it seems reasonable – I was already using .75 mm – 1 mm with my Derminator 2 because anything more seemed extreme to me. I just think that there’s a fine line between damaging hair follicles negatively versus actually creating a positive temporary boost in growth factors with intentional puncturing of the skin.
Hopefully, this helped bring new information to you if you were someone who potentially wasn’t getting results with your automated microneedling device or perhaps was looking to get into microneedling with an automated device and wanted a nuanced look into what the best lengths are.