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A Comprehensive Review of Microneedling as a Potential Treatment Option for Androgenetic Alopecia

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Abstract

Background

Microneedling refers to a minimally invasive technique that uses multiple fine needles targeted skin epidermis for mechanical stimulation to obtain therapeutic or cosmetic effects. It is suitable for the treatment of a variety of dermatological conditions, including androgenetic alopecia (AGA).

Objective

This article aims to make a comprehensive review of the relevant studies on microneedling for the management of AGA.

Methods

Extensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO databases. 4 in vivo studies and 25 clinical trials were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results

The effects of microneedling on AGA was investigated in animal experiments. Several clinical trials, including randomized controlled trials, strengthen the validity of the findings. Microneedling therapy showed some encouraging results with minor complications when used alone or in combination with topical products.

Conclusions

Microneedling appears to be a safe and effective therapeutic option for AGA. Larger and more randomized controlled trials regarding the role of microneedling in AGA are strongly recommended to provide more definitive evidence.

Level of Evidence IV

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Funding

This work was supported by the Featured Clinical Discipline Project of Shanghai Pudong fund (grant number PWYts2021-07) and the East Hospital affiliated to Tongji University introduced talent research startup fund (grant number DFRC2019008).

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Author notes

  1. Lingling Jia and Jiachao Xiong have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 150 Jimo Road, Shanghai, 200120, China

    Lingling Jia, Jiachao Xiong, Rong Guo, Yufei Li & Hua Jiang

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  1. Lingling Jia
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  2. Jiachao Xiong
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Correspondence to Yufei Li or Hua Jiang.

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Jia, L., Xiong, J., Guo, R. et al. A Comprehensive Review of Microneedling as a Potential Treatment Option for Androgenetic Alopecia. Aesth Plast Surg 46, 2979–2994 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-022-03042-y

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