Microneedling for Hair Growth

Microneedling also known as collagen induction therapy first gained its reputation as a scar treatment during the 1990s and has recently gained popularity as anti-aging skin treatment due to its collagen inducing effects. 

While used as an anti-aging skin treatment, microneedling may also be a method of treatment for hair loss. Just like the skin on our face, the scalp also loses collagen as we age, resulting in slow hair growth and dormant hair follicles. So while collagen is most well-known as the protein that helps keep your face firm and young-looking, it's also essential for hair health. The same process of creating wounds in the skin is also thought to regenerate the health of the hair follicles. It’s thought that this can result in new hair growth and thicken thinning hair.

Both collagen and hair follicles exist within the same layer of the skin, the dermis and when collagen production slows down (around age 30), this can affect the strength of your hair follicles. As per Dr. Zeichner, a prominent  dermatologist; Think of it like the frame of your mattress, without it, the mattress would be clumpy and wrinkly. This leaves hair follicles unsupported, leading to more hair loss and less new growth.

Aside from collagen production in the skin, it’s thought that microneedling can also help induce stem cells in the scalp that lead to hair growth.

Microneedling may also promote the absorption of hair growth products, such as minoxidil (Rogaine).

For optimal results, 6-8 sessions, 4 weeks apart, may be required.

 Tricogen Hair Follicle Revitalizer revitalises and activates the stem cells in the scalp and hair follicles and absorption of all the other active ingredients and increases microcirculation in the scalp. This product also prevents DHT build up in the hair follicles.   Tricogen Hair Follicle Revitalizer may be applied together with microneedling treatment. 

Active Ingredients

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein from which hair is created. They are assembled in the correct sequence by stem cells to form keratin a complex and immensely strong hair protein. Vital amino acids have to be replaced consistently as damage is accumulated over time. We can replace a combination of these lost amino acids directly into the hair where they are shown to provide significant tensile benefits to the hair shaft.

Hair is composed primarily of proteins (88%). These proteins are of a hard fibrous type known as keratin. Keratin protein is comprised of what we call “polypeptide chains.” The word, polypeptide, comes from the Greek word “poly” meaning many and “peptos” meaning digested or broken down. In essence, if we break down protein, we have individual amino acids.

1. Apple procyanidin polyphenols activate and lengthen the anagen (growth) stage of the follicle cycle, and shorten the telogen (resting) and catagen (shedding) stages.
2. Apple procyanidins inhibit protein kinase C (PKC) and transformational growth factor beta (TGF-b), both identified as factors of follicle shrinking and dysfunction.
3. Apple polyphenols precipitate protein synthesis, essential for muscle growth, hair growth, and immune function.
4. Apple Polyphenols are 300% more effective than Minoxidil.

Apple polyphenols reduce oxidative stress, a known factor in follicle aging and dysfunction.

Biotin is a member of the B-Vitamin family and a major component in the natural hair manufacturing process it is essential to not only grow new hair, but it also plays a major role in the overall health of skin and nails. The beneficial effects of biotin on hair may be linked to its ability to improve the metabolism of scalp oils. The biotin when absorbed by the scalp may promote hair growth and it is able to penetrate the hair shaft making it expand which actually thickens the hair cuticle.

Active caffeine ingredient helps to regulate the effects of testosterone levels. Male pattern baldness is known to occur in individuals with a sensitivity to testosterone causing damage to hair follicles that eventually leads to baldness. Studies have shown that after caffeine treatment average hair growth was increased by around 46% and the life cycle of the hair was extended by 37%.

L-Carnitine a vitamin-like nutrient occurs naturally in the human body and is essential for turning fat into energy. Active energy metabolism is an essential prerequisite for the growth of strong and healthy hair. In biological systems ATP acts as the universal energy currency. One of the most potent bio-actives that significantly increase cellular ATP contents is carnitine tartrate.

Statistical evaluation demonstrated a significant increase in ATP equivalents in human hair roots treated with carnitine tartrate, showing that carnitine tartrate is an ideal ingredient for hair care formulations, providing energy for the optimal environment to produce strong and healthy hair.

Copper Peptides have two main properties: (1) potent tissue protective anti-inflammatory agents that limit oxidative damage after tissue injury and (2) tissue remodeling activation agents that is, the processes for removal of damaged protein and scar tissue and their replacement by normal tissue. Studies at numerous universities and research institutes have found copper-peptides to improve hair transplant success and increase hair follicle size stimulate hair growth and reduce hair loss.

This is probably the best known natural DHT blocker. Studies have shown that saw palmetto is an effective anti-androgen. It acts in a similar way that Propecia does. Firstly it lowers levels of DHT in the body by blocking 5-alpha-reductase. Secondly Saw Palmetto block receptor sites on cell membranes required for cells to absorb DHT.