I have been battling hair fall for quite some time now, but my dermatologist recently advised me to start using a dermaroller for better results. Initially, I was a bit skeptical about rolling tiny needles over my scalp, but after doing some research, I decided to give it a try. The process feels oddly therapeutic, and mixing it with essential oils has made my haircare routine more effective. It is too early for dramatic results, but I do hope to have healthier, fuller hair.

A dermaroller is a handheld device that has tiny microneedles. This means it is minimally invasive and can be used to stimulate hair growth. How does it work, and what should you know before using a dermaroller in your hair care routine? Let's dive deeper into the science, usage, benefits, and precautions of using dermarollers for hair growth.

Dermarolling, also known as microneedling, is a process of creating micro-injuries on the skin or scalp with fine needles. These tiny pricks spur collagen production, improve blood circulation, and enhance the absorption of hair growth products such as serums and medications.

The process triggers the body's natural healing response, which helps rejuvenate hair follicles and creates an environment that is conducive to hair regrowth. Although it has been used most for skin treatments, its application on the scalp is turning out to be beneficial in the fight against hair loss.

How Does Dermarolling Work?

1. Enhanced Product Absorption

The micro-injuries created by the dermaroller allow haircare products, such as minoxidil or natural oils, to penetrate deeper into the scalp, maximizing their effectiveness.

2. Boosts Collagen Production

Collagen is important for maintaining the health of hair follicles. By promoting its production, dermarolling strengthens hair roots and prevents thinning.

3. Improves Blood Flow

Increased blood circulation delivers essential nutrients to hair follicles, supporting robust hair growth.

4. Stimulates Sleeping Follicles

With microneedling, possibly sleeping follicles can be revived and new hairs may grow in previously thinning or balding locations.

How to Use a Dermaroller for Hair Regrowth

Correct techniques and proper hygiene should always be followed during the use of a dermaroller to fully maximize its performance:

• Oil and debris around the scalp are removed by giving it a full scalp cleansing process.
• Sterilize with rubbing alcohol as much as possible to avoid an infection.
• Roll the dermaroller gently over the scalp in vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions.
• Concentrate on areas that are thinning or losing hair. Be cautious not to press too hard on the skin in order not to irritate or cause injury.
• Use a serum or hair growth serum recommended by a dermatologist directly after microneedling treatment to allow for increased absorption into the skin.
• Re-sanitize the dermaroller and store it in a clean, dry container.
• Use the dermaroller once a week initially, and then gradually increase to twice a week as your scalp adjusts. Please consult a dermatologist for more personalized advice.

Choosing the Right Dermaroller for You

Choosing the right dermaroller is important to ensure safety and effectiveness:

1. Needle Size: For scalp treatments, opt for needles ranging from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.
2. Quality: Choose a device with medical-grade materials to ensure durability and safety.
3. Ergonomics: Look for anti-slip handles and clear usage instructions for ease of use.
4. Professional Guidance: Consider consulting a dermatologist before starting treatment to ensure compatibility with your scalp condition.

Benefits of Using Essential Oils and Serums to Use

When the dermaroller is used in conjunction with essential oils or serums, its effect becomes much stronger. The following are some of the most commonly used:

Lavender Oil: Enhances hair growth and calms the scalp.

Rosemary Oil: Enhances circulation and prevents early graying.

Cedarwood Oil: Moisturizes and makes the scalp less flaky.

Thyme Oil: Promotes volume and hair growth.

Use only after diluting essential oils with a carrier oil like coconut or almond oil, so it doesn't cause irritation to the scalp.

Are There Any Side Effects Or Dangers of Using Derma Roller?

Dermarolling is essentially safe, however, it will cause some adverse effects in some cases. Temporary side effects:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Pain or Discomfort
• Risk of Infection
• Sun Sensitivity

Do not dermaroll if you suffer from scalp infection, eczema, or diseases such as diabetes. Pregnant women should never use derma rollers because this can pose a dangerous risk to her health.

At-Home vs Professional Dermaroller Treatments

While at-home treatments are cost-effective, professional dermarolling sessions provide access to trained expertise and advanced tools. Consider starting with a dermatologist-supervised session to learn the proper technique before transitioning to self-application.

Hair regrowth is a gradual process. Most users notice visible improvements within 3 to 6 months of consistent dermarolling. Combined with a comprehensive haircare routine, this method can yield long-term benefits.

Derma-rolling offers an attractive, accessible solution to any hair loss problem. This method stimulates collagen production, boosts the absorption of any product applied, and promotes blood flow. While it can revolutionize your hair regime, success is dependent on dedication, correct technique, and a regard for hygiene standards.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purpose only, do not substitute this for professional advise. Before adding a dermaroller to your routine, see a dermatologist to determine if it is appropriate for your needs.

Microneedling for Hair Loss. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021

As the number of people reporting pancreatic issues after taking the weight loss and diabetic jabs increases, health officials have launched an investigative study to figure out the unexpected side-effects of the drug.

In the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Genomics England are asking anyone who was using these shots and ended up in the hospital with a sudden pancreas problem called acute pancreatitis to get in touch. Hundreds of people have reported pancreas issues after taking drugs like Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy, but doctors haven't yet proven that the shots caused these problems.

What Is The Goal Of This Study?

The study is part of the MHRA's Yellow Card scheme. This system lets anyone report a problem with a medicine, vaccine, or medical device, which helps doctors find safety issues early. People aged 18 and older who had a serious reaction to these weight loss shots (which are also used for type 2 diabetes) should report it on the Yellow Card website.

They'll then be asked if they want to join the study. This study will check if some people's genes make them more likely to get acute pancreatitis when taking these medicines. Patients will give more information and a saliva sample, hoping to reduce these side effects in the future.

What has The Study Found So Far?

As of May 13 this year, 10 deaths from pancreatitis in people using weight loss drugs were reported to the Yellow Card website, though other health factors might have been involved. It's tough to track exact user numbers since many buy these drugs online without a prescription. While health officials suggest these shots can aid obesity efforts, they caution that they're not a "magic solution" and often cause side effects like nausea, constipation, or diarrhea. The MHRA also warned that Mounjaro could reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills for some users.

What Is Pancreatitis: Acute & Chronic?

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, and this can either be acute or chronic. Finding out whether one has pancreatitis as well as getting it under control is very important as if left unchecked, it can lead to long-term damage and other complications.

As you may know, our pancreas makes important digestive enzymes as well as insulin, which helps us break down glucose components and transform it into energy. Pancreatitis happens when the pancreas enzymes damage the pancreatic tissue itself.

The key difference between acute and chronic pancreatitis is that they are actually different conditions. According to a 2021 study published in the Cureus journal,

Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a sudden, short-term inflammation of the pancreas. When someone has acute pancreatitis, they usually feel severe pain in the upper part of their belly, either in the middle or on the right side. This type of pancreatitis often comes on quickly and, with proper treatment, can resolve. Here are the symptoms, causes and treatment options, according to National Health Services UK.

Symptoms

Acute pancreatitis is a sudden, short-term swelling of your pancreas. The most common signs are severe, sudden pain in the middle of your stomach. You might also feel or be sick, and have diarrhea.

Causes

Acute pancreatitis happens when digestive chemicals inside your pancreas start to attack the organ itself. It's most often linked to two main things: gallstones, which cause about half of all cases, and drinking alcohol, which is behind about a quarter of cases. You can lower your risk by drinking less alcohol and making diet changes to prevent gallstones

Treatment

Treatment for acute pancreatitis focuses on supporting your body while the swelling goes down. You'll usually need to stay in the hospital for fluids through a vein, pain relief, food support, and oxygen. Most people get better within a week and can leave the hospital in 5 to 10 days, though severe cases might take longer due to complications.

Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-lasting inflammation of the pancreas that often gets worse over time. Unlike acute pancreatitis, the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis can be much broader. People might have ongoing belly pain, but they can also show signs that their pancreas isn't working properly. This can lead to problems with digestion and even diabetes.

Symptoms

Chronic pancreatitis means your pancreas has long-lasting swelling. The main symptom is repeated, severe stomach pain, usually in the middle or left side, that can spread to your back. This pain is often described as burning or shooting and can last for hours or days, sometimes without a clear trigger.

As the condition worsens, these painful episodes might happen more often and be more severe. Eventually, you might feel a constant, dull pain in your belly even between bad episodes, especially if you keep drinking alcohol.

Causes

The most common reason for chronic pancreatitis is drinking too much alcohol for many years. This can cause repeated attacks of sudden pancreatitis, leading to more and more damage. In children, cystic fibrosis is the most common cause. Other less common causes include smoking, your immune system attacking the pancreas, genetic problems, injury, gallstones blocking ducts, or radiation. Sometimes, no cause is found.

Treatment

The damage to your pancreas from chronic pancreatitis is permanent, but treatment can help manage the condition and symptoms. Doctors usually advise stopping alcohol and smoking. You'll also get medicine to relieve pain. In some cases of severe pain, surgery might be an option to help control the condition and improve your quality of life.

All doctors agree on one thing; walking is great for your health. It is an often overlooked aspect of exercising, but even a quick 10-minute brisk walk can do wonders! Walking is an assessable exercise that can easily fit into anyone's daily routine through actions like walking to your place of work or walking during break etc. It helps your heart and might even lower your risk of dementia. The NHS (National Health Service) in the UK constantly reminds us how beneficial walking is, proving it's a powerful way to stay healthy without needing fancy equipment or intense workouts.

Many people aim for 10,000 steps a day, this usually means walking about five to eight kilometers, taking one to two hours. But where did this number come from? Harvard Health explains that the 10,000-step goal actually became popular because of an old advertising trick. It was tied to the 1964 Olympics and a Japanese step counter called "Manpo-kei," which means "10,000-step meter." The company cleverly used the fact that the Japanese symbol for "ten thousand" looks a bit like a person walking.

How Many Steps Do You Really Need In A Day to Stay Healthy?

Scientists have been trying to find the perfect number of steps. A 2022 study published in the JAMA Network found that walking anywhere from 3,800 to 9,800 steps daily could lower your risk of dementia. This study suggested that just under 10,000 steps, especially taken at a fast pace (around 112 steps per minute), might be ideal for avoiding dementia.

But you don't have to hit 10,000 steps to benefit! A large review of many studies showed that as few as 2,337 steps a day could reduce your risk of dying from heart problems. And walking 3,867 steps could lower your risk of death from any cause. For every extra 1,000 steps you take, your risk of dying drops by 15%.

Ideal Step Count As You Age

The ideal number of steps can change based on your age. If you're under 60, studies suggest aiming for 7,000 to 13,000 steps. For those 60 and older, the biggest health benefits were seen when walking between 6,000 to 10,000 steps. Other research showed that walking more than 2,200 steps (about one mile) was linked to living longer and having less heart disease. For women over 60, walking 6,000 to 7,500 steps lowered their risk of death. For younger people, the benefits didn't really increase much beyond 8,000 to 10,000 steps.

Why Walk Faster May Be More Beneficial?

It's not just about how many steps you take; how fast you walk is also important. A recent study found that walking at a brisk pace could lower your risk of heart rhythm problems. The researchers said a slow pace was under 3 mph, an average pace was 3-4 mph, and a fast pace was over 4 mph. Even when considering other factors, walking at an average or fast pace was linked to a 35% to 43% lower risk of irregular heartbeats compared to walking slowly. So, walking faster can make your heart even healthier.

A recent study presented at the American Society for Microbiology's annual meeting (ASM Microbe 2025) in Los Angeles has uncovered a surprising link between airborne fungal spores and short-term spikes in flu and COVID-19 cases. The research, conducted by scientists from Lynn University in Florida, suggests that monitoring outdoor levels of fungal spores could provide an early warning system for potential outbreaks.

Not Just Human Contact: A New Environmental Player

Traditionally, respiratory illnesses like flu and COVID-19 have been associated mainly with human-to-human transmission. But this new research introduces an environmental twist: airborne fungal spores — microscopic particles released by fungi into the air — may play a significant role in triggering infection surges.

Researchers found that when levels of fungal spores in the outdoor air increased, there was a corresponding rise in COVID-19 and flu infections in the days that followed. What’s more, the relationship was strong enough that statistical and machine learning models could predict these spikes with a high degree of accuracy.

Interestingly, the same predictive relationship did not hold true for pollen, another common airborne particle. This indicates that fungal spores may have a more specific and direct impact on respiratory health than previously assumed.

Data from the Tropics: What Puerto Rico Revealed

The research team focused their study on two major health regions in Puerto Rico — San Juan and Caguas — collecting data from 2022 to 2024. They tracked the daily incidence of flu and COVID-19 diagnoses alongside environmental measurements of fungal spores and pollen.

Using both traditional statistical analysis and machine learning models, they examined whether spikes in fungal spore concentrations could predict increases in infections within the same week or the following week — a concept known as a lag effect. The results were striking: in many instances, elevated levels of fungal spores were followed by noticeable jumps in flu and COVID-19 cases.

A Tool for Better Public Health Planning

“This research gives us a new lens through which to view respiratory virus outbreaks,” said Felix E. Rivera-Mariani, Associate Professor of Biochemistry at Lynn University and lead researcher on the study. “By monitoring environmental data like fungal spores, we can potentially issue earlier warnings and protect high-risk communities.”

Rivera-Mariani emphasized that this approach could be especially useful in the fall — a season that already sees increased viral transmission — when fungal spore levels are often high due to decaying plant matter and damp conditions.

He added that this discovery highlights a broader message: “Environmental triggers, not just interpersonal contact, may influence how and when people get sick. That insight could help shape future public health responses and inform protective guidelines, particularly in regions with high fungal activity.”

Who Stands to Benefit?

The findings may be especially valuable for protecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly, individuals with asthma, or people with allergic rhinitis. These groups are not only more prone to respiratory infections but may also be more sensitive to environmental irritants like fungal spores.

By incorporating airborne fungal spore monitoring into existing public health surveillance systems, authorities could issue timely alerts and recommendations — including when to wear masks, avoid outdoor exposure, or ramp up testing.

While more research is needed to fully understand the biological mechanism behind this connection, the evidence presented marks a promising step toward using environmental data to predict — and possibly prevent — future outbreaks.