With so many microneedling devices on the market, it’s important to know which devices are effective (and safe) in helping you achieve the results you want. This is especially true when looking for the best microneedle roller for your hair. According to dermatologist Sapna Palep, who spoke with Bustle for this article, the best needle length to use on your scalp will vary depending on your goals. Generally speaking, you'll want to look for at-home dermarolling devices that use titanium needles 0.15 mm to 1.5 mm long to improve product absorption and potentially stimulate hair growth while minimizing the risk of injury (for more on these needles, first ). You can choose between a hand tool that gently rolls across your scalp, or an electric dermaroller that utilizes vibration technology to further enhance the needle's ability to stimulate collagen production, increase scalp circulation, and improve product absorption after dermarolling.
expert
Dr. Sapna Palep, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology and the founder of Spring Street Dermatology in New York. Dr. Palep has also served as a clinical instructor in the Department of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai since 2010. Her research in medical dermatology has been published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Journal of Dermatopathology, and Journal of Research Dermatology.
What effects does using a microneedle roller have on your hair and scalp?
Similar to buying a facial needle roller, looking at the size of the needles is key to finding the best ones for your scalp. Here's what each needle size means and how often it's used:
- 0.15 to 0.25 mm: If you're already using a topical scalp treatment to promote hair growth (like Rogaine), microneedling with a shorter needle before applying the product will help promote its absorption, explains Dr. Palep . Additionally, rollers of this length carry a much lower risk of injury, making them an excellent choice for beginners or anyone who wants to be able to safely perform microneedling treatments on a more regular basis (up to every other day is recommended).
- 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters: If your goal is to stimulate hair growth, this is where you want to go, says Dr. Palepu. In fact, the 1.5mm tool is often considered the preferred choice because it can better penetrate hair and scalp buildup. Please note that if used incorrectly, it can cause more damage and pain, so you will need to proceed with these activities more cautiously - it is recommended to wait at least two weeks before each subsequent session.
- 2.2 to 2.5 mm: This length is not suitable for home use as they may cause injury, so leave them to trained office professionals.
Buy the best microneedle roller for hair and scalp
hurry? Here are the best microneedle rollers for hair:
- Best Overall ($): SDARA Microneedle Derma Roller
- Runner-up ($): RoselynBoutique Derma Roller
- Best Dermastamp for Targeted Hair Growth Treatment ($): Koi Beauty Derma Stamp
- Best Microneedle Roller Kit ($$$): Beauty Bio Glow Scalp + Volumizing Hair Treatment Set
- Best Budget Dermaroller Kit ($): Linduray Skincare Derma Roller Microneedling Kit
1. Best overall
What we like:
- Cheap
- Minimum needle size
- Suitable for beginners
- 18,000+ five-star Amazon reviews
What we don’t like:
- Unable to replace head
For beginners and those who are just focused on better product absorption and blood circulation, this SDARA Microneedling Derma Roller uses the finest 0.25mm needles. The tool itself is very compact, and since it uses a smaller needle, it can also be used on your face (just make sure you sterilize it properly first). As of this writing, it's Amazon's most popular product, with over 18,000 five-star ratings, with some reviewers highlighting its ease of use and effectiveness on the scalp. It comes in its own plastic case, which makes it convenient to store the dermaroller between uses, but be aware that it's a little difficult to actually open without the tool shooting at you.
Needle Size: 0.25 mm | Number of Needles: 540 | Type: Manual
2. Runner-up
What we like:
- Cheap
- Minimum needle size
- Suitable for beginners
What we don’t like:
- Unable to replace head
Aside from the color, this RoselynBoutique Derma Roller is almost identical to the SDARA one - just slightly cheaper and has about half the Amazon reviews. For those on the fence about DIY, the 0.25mm needle means there's no pain and you're less likely to inadvertently cause any damage. When it comes time to replace the needle, you'll have to repurchase the entire roller because there's no way to remove just the needle.
Needle Size: 0.25 mm | Number of Needles: 540 | Type: Manual
3. Best Dermastamp for Targeted Hair Growth Treatment
What we like:
- Easy to use
- Adjustable needle size for wider use
What we don’t like:
- Unable to replace head
- Includes larger needle size options to avoid
All microneedling rollers require gentle care to avoid damage, but the roller device can also pull your hair if you're not extra careful. This Koi Beauty Derma Stamp allows you to better target your scalp as you part your hair and move the tool up and down, reducing the chance of hair getting stuck since you're not actually curling your hair. Because it's a stamp, it may be easy to actually press, but you'll want to use brisk movements and make sure you don't press the same area repeatedly to avoid feeling pain or irritation. When you're done, you can retract the needle and sterilize the seal, but instead of a full box for storage, it comes with a small lid. I also like that it's adjustable so you can start at the lowest 0.25mm setting and go all the way up to 1.5mm (if you plan on using it for hair growth). However, I don't like the included needle option that goes up to 3.0 mm, as Dr. Palep doesn't recommend using larger needles at home.
Needle Size: Adjustable from 0 – 3.0 mm | Number of Needles: 140 | Type: Manual
4. Best Microneedle Roller Kit
Also available at Sephora and Ulta for $249
What we like:
- Designed for scalp use
- Using vibration technology and red LED light therapy
- Comes with scalp essence
- Includes mini spray bottle for disinfectant
What we don’t like:
- expensive
It's definitely an investment, but if you're committed to dermarolling at home for hair health and potential growth, this Beauty Bio dermaroller was developed with that specific goal in mind and comes equipped with what you need everything. This battery-operated device combines microneedling with vibration technology and red LED light therapy to better help increase blood flow to the scalp, stimulate collagen production and fight inflammation. The brand has also developed a scalp serum to maximize results after dermarolling (and between treatments). Using a precise tip to reach directly to the scalp, the serum is formulated with rose bay extract, camellia leaf extract, zinc and loquat leaf to help remove scalp build-up, hydrate and help promote stronger, thicker hair grow. You can purchase additional microneedle roller heads separately through this Amazon listing — the brand recommends replacing them every three to four months.
Needle size: 0.3 mm | Number of needles: 1,260 | Type: Electric
5. Best Microneedle Roller Kits Under $20
What we like:
- Cheap
- Comes with vitamin C serum
What we don’t like:
- Unable to replace head
- Essence is for facial use only
Not everyone is ready or able to spend hundreds of dollars on a skin care device, which is why we also offer this Linduray Skin Care Derma Roller Microneedling Kit. The dermaroller uses the same 0.3mm size needles as the Beauty Bio, although it has less than half the number of needles and doesn't feel as sturdy as the luxe pick (it's also smaller, as you can see from the photo). The only drawback is that this kit was developed with facial dermarolling in mind. You can definitely use this on your hair as long as you sanitize between uses, but if you don't already have a favorite, you'll need to buy a scalp serum separately. However, you can use the included Vitamin C serum on your face (either after dermarolling or on its own), as it's packed with hydrating and soothing ingredients like aloe vera, centella asiatica, jojoba seed oil, and hyaluronic acid Element. Like the SDARA and Roselyn Boutique dermarollers, the Linduray comes in a plastic storage box.
Needle size: 0.3 mm | Number of needles: 540 | Type: Manual
How we test
In addition to consulting with board-certified dermatologists, our team of editors and writers research key features and pore over reviews to select products for consideration. While we didn't test the long-term effects of these microneedle rollers on your hair and scalp, we did try them out to evaluate features like needle size, ease of use, and value before including them on this list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to use a dermaroller on your scalp?
While it sounds fairly simple, Dr. Palep shares some general rules for getting the most out of your at-home skin rolling treatments. You can use a microneedle roller on dry or damp hair with a clean scalp, but Dr. Palep notes that people with longer hair may prefer using it on wet hair. “This reduces the chance of the drum jamming and pulling on the strands,” she says. Then, part your hair, starting at the hairline at the front of your head, and roll it back, diagonally up and down from side to side. "I always recommend rolling each area 10 to 15 times to ensure adequate scalp coverage," says Dr. Palep. Continue re-parting hair and rolling until target area is covered.
Note: If you have active acne, skin bruising, eczema, hives, psoriasis, or sun-damaged skin, you should suspend your daily activities.
How do you care for your dermaroller?
Although the needles used in home dermarolling devices are small, the process still involves needles, which in turn create tiny punctures in the skin. Therefore, it is important to use a sterilized roller for each derma rolling session (and sterilize the tools again after use). To ensure that your dermaroller is properly disinfected, you will need to soak the head in disinfectant (70% isopropyl alcohol or higher is best) for about 10 minutes beforehand.
And don’t forget to replace your dermaroller head regularly! The needle will dull with continued use, so replace it every 10 to 15 uses (or as often as recommended for your specific tool) to ensure continued effectiveness.
More Tips on Microneedle Rolling
For a more in-depth look at hair rollers, read How Scalp Microneedling Helps Hair Growth. Interested in an at-home facial microneedling treatment? Check out our esthetician-approved guide to the best microneedling rollers to use at home.
About the tester
Marissa DeSantis has been a beauty writer and editor for nearly 10 years. Her work can be found in print and digital publications including Bustle, Evening Standard, Teen Vogue, and InStyle.
expert:
Dr. Sapna Palep, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Spring Street Dermatology in New York.
refer to:
How does a dermaroller work? , Medical News Today; https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-use-a-dermaroller
Microneedling, Yale University School of Medicine; https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/microneedling
Red light therapy at Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22114-red-light-therapy
