Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Combined Microneedling Therapy vs. Topical Minoxidil in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

January 2026 in “ British Journal of Dermatology ”

Khalid Ahmed, Mohammad T. Abuawwad, Yasmeena Abdelall Kozaa, Tamara Fadhli, Alaa I. Al-Najdawi, Yomna W. Mahmoud, Ahmed A. Ahmed, Mohammad J J Taha, Angeliki Giannopoulou

microneedling therapy minoxidil androgenetic alopecia hair count hair diameter randomized controlled trials Rogaine AGA

TLDR Combined microneedling with minoxidil improves hair growth more than minoxidil alone for hair loss.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of combined microneedling therapy (CMNT) with minoxidil compared to minoxidil alone in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The study included 12 randomized controlled trials with 631 patients. Results showed that CMNT significantly improved hair count and diameter compared to minoxidil monotherapy, with a standardized mean difference of 1.32 for hair count and 0.34 for hair diameter. The microneedling parameters such as depth, duration, and technique did not significantly impact the outcomes. Although adverse events were more frequent with CMNT, they were generally mild. Overall, CMNT is a promising adjunctive treatment for AGA.

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