We know that our hair health starts at the root: our scalp. Whether you’re trying to restore your hairline or maximize your hair’s potential, the scalp is a great place to start. And with growth-boosting, skin-soothing and flake-erasing scalp serums flooding the market, it’s worth asking if there’s more we can do. Can we make serums more effective? Can we get these hair-boosting ingredients right into the follicle? Should we be microneedling before applying scalp serum?
Featured Experts
- Bertha Baum, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Aventura, FL
- Patricia Pol is a licensed esthetician with of ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND
- Beth Goldstein, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Chapel Hill, NC
- Tami Buss Cassis, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Prospect, KY
- Sachin Parikh, MD is a board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon practicing in Palo Alto, CA
How Do Scalp Serums Work?
“Scalp health plays a crucial role in maintaining the overall health of your hair,” Aventura, FL dermatologist Bertha Baum, MD explains. “Factors such as hair growth and strength can be affected, and the moisture of the scalp can have an effect on the hair follicle and production of dandruff can irritate the scalp leading to dry skin and other issues. Inflammatory conditions can cause itching and hair loss in certain cases.”
Scalp serums use the language of skincare, but hone in on actives known to promote hair growth, soothe skin or maximize hydration, depending on what scalp issue they seek to treat. “Treating your scalp with skincare ingredients and methods can have a positive impact on the health of your hair if they are selected correctly,” Dr. Baum says. “Just like the skin on your face, your scalp requires proper care and attention to maintain its health. Cleansing, exfoliating and hydrating the scalp can be beneficial in certain cases.”
What is Microneedling?
“Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that involves using a device with fine needles to create micro-injuries in the skin,” explains ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND licensed esthitician, Patricia Pol. “These tiny punctures stimulate the body’s natural healing process, leading to increased collagen and elastin production, improved skin texture and tone and improved absorption of skincare products.”
Most of the time when you think of microneedling, you’re thinking of in-office treatments. These are more intense than at-home options, with longer needles than are available for home care.
Should You Be Microneedling Before Applying Scalp Serum?
We know that in-office microneedling treatments are often combined with actives to boost collagen. But what about at-home? “Microneedling the skin and scalp before applying serum can be beneficial,” explains Pol. “The micro-channels created during the microneedling process can enhance the absorption of the serum, allowing active ingredients to penetrate more deeply into the skin and scalp. This can potentially improve the effectiveness of the serum promoting goals like hair growth or collagen and elastin production on the skin.”
How much this would actually benefit your hair goals is kind of unclear, given that at-home devices have a small needle length. That said, these super-small micro injuries around and on the site of the follicle can help scalp serum’s best ingredients get right where they’re needed.
How to Safely Perform At-Home Microneedling
Sanitation and Safety
The biggest risk with at-home microneedling is infection caused by improper sanitation. “At-home rollers are only 0.1 millimeter in depth and require someone to have the knowledge of [how to clean] their skin properly before using them,” says Chapel Hill, NC dermatologist Beth Goldstein, MD.
“You must always begin by sanitizing the device,” Pol says. “Always clean your microneedling device before and after each use to prevent infection. Cleanse and disinfect your skin before microneedling to reduce the risk of infection and ensure a clean surface. Remember to be gentle and not press on the roller/needles!”
Taking Care of Your Skin
Though at-home microneedling devices aren’t as intense as in-office options, it’s important to remember that you are injuring your skin. That means you need to take care not to cause further irritation or risk infection. “Stay out of the sun and avoid scheduling any major events for a week,” Prospect, KY dermatologist Tami Buss Cassis, MD advises. “Use gentle cleansers and great hydrating products that will help stimulate healing. I really like Alastin’s formulas. Also, don’t worry if you look a little scary—it’s normal. The skin heals and you will love your results.”
“During the first 48-hours after treatment, we tell our patients to avoid hot baths,” says Palo Alto, CA facial plastic surgeon Sachin Parikh, MD. “To prevent contamination and infection, maintain skin cleanliness and moisture, but remember to use lukewarm water when showering to avoid skin irritation.”
Microneedling Devices We Love
Our Favorite Scalp Serums
