Abstract

Objectives: 1) To evaluate the efficacy of the derma roller technique for the administration of a patented hair regrowth solution in male and female patients with androgenetic alopecia 2) To compare the 1.5- and 0.5-mm derma roller groups to the topical application group. Introduction: Micro-needling with derma roller has emerged as a recent management strategy in androgenetic alopecia (AGA) cases. It is a method that creates transdermal microchannels across the stratum corneum barrier layer of skin to increase the skin permeability of small molecules, drugs, proteins, etc. Dermaroller is an effective solution to the difficulty faced in providing injectable treatment therapy when there is a lack of trained personnel, time boundaries and geographical boundaries. We need to assess its application to non-surgical hair restorations such as a patented hair regrowth therapy. Materials / method: Male patients with Norwood Hamilton grades II-IV and female patients with Ludwig's types I-III were included. Patients were randomly divided into three groups of 25 patients each (Group A—1.5-mm derma roller group, Group B—0.5-mm derma roller group, and Group C—topical application group). Hair pull test and global photographic assessment were used for evaluation. Results: Reduction in hair fall during hair pull test was noted in the patients of all three groups by the end of 6 months, whereas the hair fall was reduced in just 70% in Group B compared with 60% of participants in Group C. Marked improvement was seen in Group A (mean-7), whereas the mean score in Group B was 5.5 at 6 months. Group C showed a mean score of 6.5 at baseline, which improved to 7.2 at year 1. Conclusion: According to this study, a depth of 1.5 mm of microneedle tended to be more effective than that of 0.5 mm and the topical application in terms of improving terminal hair count and hair thickness. However, there is not much difference observed between the val- ues. Group B showed improvement in vellus hair count as compared to Group A.