Derma Roller for Hair Growth: What the Research Shows & Safety

A derma roller is a handheld roller with fine needles, and it's the at-home version of microneedling. Studies of microneedling for hair loss are mostly of a clinic procedure combined with minoxidil. We found no study on applying coconut oil after a derma roller, and a published case report shows why home use needs caution.

Here's what the research says about microneedling for hair, what the combination studies found, and the safety case to know about.

I LOVE MY HAIR NOW

FullyVital hair serum and hair vitamins made tremendous improvements in my hair. I truly love my hair now.

Dorit S.,

Shop Hair Products

Key Takeaways

• A review of microneedling for androgenetic alopecia found it increased total hair count more than 5% minoxidil in the trials analyzed, and combining the two increased hair count further.
• A meta-analysis of 10 randomized trials (466 patients) found microneedling plus minoxidil significantly increased total hair count compared with minoxidil alone, but not hair diameter.
• A case report describes a young man who developed a scalp abscess with skull infection after using minoxidil and microneedling with his derma roller at home.
• We found no study of coconut oil or other oils applied after derma rolling.

What Is A Derma Roller?

A derma roller is a device with fine needles that create small punctures in the skin. It's an at-home relative of the microneedling done in clinics.

Can You Use Coconut Oil After Derma Rolling?

We found no study that tests it. Microneedling creates tiny wounds, so the safe approach is to ask a dermatologist what, if anything, to put on your scalp afterwards, rather than guessing.

Our Best Sellers

3-Month Growth Bundle

$269.00

Shop Hair System

Hair Revival Supplements

$47.20

Shop Vitamins

Using A Derma Roller Carefully

• Ask a dermatologist first. The evidence is for supervised microneedling, usually with another treatment.
• Never use on broken, irritated or infected skin.
• Stop and see a doctor if you notice swelling, pain, fever or signs of infection.

Our Best Sellers

3-Month Growth Bundle

$269.00

Shop Hair System

Hair Revival Serum

$47.20

Shop Hair Serum

What The Research Shows

A Review Of Microneedling For Hair

A review of microneedling in dermatology found it is a minimally invasive procedure using fine needles to make micro-punctures. In its analysis, microneedling alone increased total hair count more than topical 5% minoxidil, and microneedling plus 5% minoxidil increased total hair count more than microneedling alone. The authors noted that few studies test microneedling as a monotherapy and that larger randomized trials are needed (Gupta et al., 2022).

Microneedling Plus Minoxidil

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 randomized trials (466 patients) with androgenetic alopecia found that combining minoxidil and microneedling significantly increased total hair count versus minoxidil alone (standard mean difference 1.76), but the increase in hair diameter was not significant. No scarring or serious adverse events were reported in the studies. Differences in rating scales and microneedling methods may have affected the results (Abdi et al., 2023).

A Home-Use Case Report

A 28-year-old man treating alopecia at home with minoxidil spray followed by derma roller microneedling developed a subpericranial and epidural abscess with skull osteomyelitis, and surgery to evacuate it was planned. The report concluded that a scalp hematoma can become infected after procedures such as microneedling without an open wound (Jain et al., 2026). This was a single case.

Our step-by-step article explains how to use a derma roller for hair.

See also: Microneedling for Hair Loss: What the Research Shows · Microneedling for the Hairline: What the Research Shows

For the bigger picture on what helps with thinning and shedding, see our guide to how to stop hair loss.

For how minoxidil and finasteride work, their results and side effects, see our guide to minoxidil and finasteride.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a derma roller help hair growth?

Trials of microneedling, mostly a clinic procedure combined with minoxidil, show increased hair counts. Evidence for at-home derma rollers on their own is limited.

Can I use coconut oil after derma rolling?

We found no study on this. Ask a dermatologist what to apply to freshly needled skin.

Is a derma roller safe?

Trials report no serious adverse events, but a case report describes a serious infection after home use. See a doctor first.

References

1. Gupta AK, Quinlan EM, Venkataraman M, et al. Microneedling for Hair Loss. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022. PubMed
2. Abdi P, Awad C, Anthony MR, et al. Efficacy and safety of combinational therapy using topical minoxidil and microneedling for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Dermatol Res. 2023. PubMed
3. Jain R, Sharma A, Bhardwaj P, et al. Subpericranial and epidural abscess with skull osteomyelitis as a complication of microneedling for alopecia: A singular case report. Surg Neurol Int. 2026. PubMed