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

Did you know? Multiple sclerosis (MS) can begin affecting the body many years before clear symptoms appear, often going unnoticed until the condition is well established. According to researchers at the University of British Columbia, people start using healthcare services more often as far as 15 years before their first obvious MS signs.

Fatigue, anxiety, and mild depression may quietly creep in, but they are often dismissed or blamed on life’s usual chaos. The trouble is, the myths swirling around MS are even more persistent than the symptoms. Some are outdated, some are just plain wrong, and all need to be shown the door.

Here is a myth-busting guide to separate MS fact from fiction.

Myth 1: Everyone with MS eventually needs a wheelchair

Nope. The MS Society says most people never use one. Reportedly, even 15 years post-diagnosis, only about 20 per cent need a wheelchair, cane, or crutches. And for those who do, mobility aids can mean freedom, not limitation, a tool to stay independent rather than a sign of defeat.

Myth 2: People with MS cannot work

Completely untrue. Many continue thriving in their careers for years. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society points out that while some may adjust their work or hours, legal protections, medical advances, and supportive tech keep many in the workforce. In fact, employment often provides structure, identity, and social connection, all of which can benefit mental health.

Myth 3: People with MS should not exercise

Myth 4: If symptoms are minor, there is no need for medication

Tempting logic but flawed. MS is a progressive disease, and even mild symptoms can mask deeper nerve damage. Research shows early treatment can slow disease progression and improve long-term outcomes. Waiting for symptoms to worsen is a gamble you do not want to take.

Myth 5: People with MS should not get pregnant

Myth 6: If I have MS, my children will get it too

While genetics play a role, MS is far from guaranteed for the next generation. Identical twins share only a 20–40 per cent risk; for non-identical twins, it is 3–5 per cent. The MS Society says 1 in 67 children of a parent with MS will develop it, compared with 1 in 500 in the general population.

Myth 7: MS is always fatal

Led by Dr. Marta Ruiz-Algueró, a postdoctoral fellow at UBC, the recent study analysed the medical histories of 2,038 Canadians with MS and compared them to more than 10,000 people without the condition. Using detailed administrative and clinical records that spanned 25 years, researchers tracked how often patients visited healthcare providers before their first classical MS symptoms.

15 years before diagnosis, people who later developed MS were already visiting general practitioners more frequently. Their complaints often centred on fatigue, pain, dizziness, headaches, and mental health concerns like anxiety and depression.

How MS Works?

The symptoms can include:

• Fatigue
• Odd tingling or numbness that shows up anytime
• A wobbly sense of balance or coordination
• Vision that suddenly decides to play tricks on you
• Muscles that feel like they have gone on strike
• Memory and thinking skills that sometimes wander off mid-task

In a nutshell, MS is a bit of a medical puzzle which is unpredictable and complicated and is still keeping scientists on their toes. But with sharper tools to spot it, smarter treatments to tackle it, and a lot more awareness than in decades past, living with MS today is a very different story. Busting these myths is not just about tidying up the facts; it is about handing people the knowledge to live well, keep working, love fiercely, and get on with life without unnecessary fear attached.

When Melbourne pediatrician Professor Melissa Wake talks about the future of health, she starts with a sobering fact:

Today's children may live shorter lives than their parents.

It is worth the thought that why despite the medical advances, preventable diseases remain among the biggest killers worldwide.

To this, her response, along with a team of scientists at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute is to launch Generation Victoria.

Generation Victoria is a groundbreaking health study that involves more than 125,000 children and their parents. It is one of the largest projects of its kind and at the core, lies the understanding of exposome.

What Is The Exposome?

It is the some of environmental exposures, including the physical, chemical, psychological, and social. It is what we encounter over the course of our lives, and how they interact with out biology.

It includes tangible factors such as diet, lifestyle, income, education, air pollution, and climate conditions, as well as more invisible elements like chemical pollutants, pathogens, and even noise levels. It also accounts for internal processes influenced by these exposures, such as the microbiome (gut bacteria), inflammation, and metabolic activity.

READ: How Green Therapy Can Help You Lower Anxiety And Depression

"Many of these factors overlap and happen in unequal ways," Professor Wake explains, as is reported by ABC News. "If you grow up in a poor area, your exposome is likely to be shaped by external stressors, polluted air, fewer opportunities, and lower income."

In other words, the exposome is not just about where you live, but how every aspect of your environment, from the air you breathe to the relationships you have, shapes your long-term health.

Why Does Exposome Matter?

Johns Hopkins University researcher Dr Fenna Sillé estimates that up to 70%, and in some chronic illnesses, as much as 90%, of disease risk is linked to environmental exposures rather than genetics.

"If the genome is your biological blueprint, the exposome is the lifelong record of how the world interacts with that blueprint," she says, as is reported by ABC News.

Understanding the exposome could help explain why rates of certain illnesses are rising, even among younger generations. For instance, cancers in Australians under 50 are increasing at what researchers call “alarming” rates. Hypotheses point to factors like obesity, sedentary lifestyles, chemical exposure from plastics, and shifts in gut bacteria due to ultra-processed diets and antibiotic use.

Beyond One Toxin At A Time

For decades, researchers studied environmental health risks by isolating single hazards. For instance, it was focused on one pollutant, one chemical, and observing its effects. But that approach misses the reality of human life, says Dr Nick Osborne, an epidemiologist and toxicologist at the University of Queensland.

"In the real world, there are a lot of exposures happening at once," Dr Osborne says, as is reported by ABC News. "The exposome is about recognizing that the body is a complex system interacting with a complex environment."

Advances in artificial intelligence and computational modelling now allow scientists to process vast amounts of overlapping exposure data, making it possible to see the bigger picture.

ALSO READ: UK Scientists Scan Over 100,000 People, What The Human Imaging Study Could Reveal About Your Health?

How Will This Study Help With Exposome?

GenV is tracking more than 50,000 babies born in Victoria between 2021 and 2023, and their parents, over decades. The aim is to link patterns of exposure with disease risk and test interventions to prevent illness.

The study will collect health data at key stages of life, ages 6, 11, and 16 for children, along with samples such as blood, saliva, and breastmilk. Parents will also share updates on their children’s mental and physical health through an app.

Alongside individual health records, researchers will map “layers” of the exposome. These include family and community-level factors, air quality, climate, built environments, food access, and even shopping patterns. Tools such as satellite mapping, environmental monitors, and policy tracking will help assemble a detailed picture.

The goal is not simply to document exposures, but to act on the most critical ones.

"It would be nice to know everything, but what we really need are the most important things, and we need to act on them," Professor Wake says, as is reported by ABC News.

The long-term nature of the study means researchers can test interventions and see their impact decades later. Could changes in urban design reduce childhood asthma rates? Could improving early nutrition lower lifetime risks of diabetes and heart disease?

READ: How Does Your Lifestyle And Environment Impact Aging?

What Are The Challenges?

The problem comes at the very minute level, it is impossible to capture every detail of a person's environment. However, researchers say that even if partial exposome mapping can uncover meaningful insights, it too is helpful.

Some exposures leave measurable imprints, changes in metabolism, or epigenetic effects, where the environment alters how genes function without changing the DNA sequence itself.

This complexity also means causation is hard to prove. Often, disease risk stems from a mix of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. As Dr Osborne explains: “You might have the ‘bad’ genes, but if you’re not exposed to the ‘bad’ environment, you don’t get the disease.”

The Human Genome Project, launched in May by an international team Dr Sillé, gave scientists a map of our genetic code. It seeks to do the same for environmental exposures.

If successful, it could transform our understanding of disease prevention, shifting focus from treating illnesses to altering the environmental factors that cause them in the first place.

While GenV’s ambition is to turn exposome data into action. By showing how different life pathways lead to health or illness, it hopes to influence not just medical practice but urban planning, education policy, and food systems.

"We are particularly interested in testing whether we can change disease risk, by how much, and for whom," Professor Wake says. "And because we’ve got that long-term horizon, we should be able to look 20, 30, 40 years down the track."

A new study published this week in Nature has found that the loss of lithium, which is a naturally occurring element in the brain. This could be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease and a key driver of its progression. Alzheimer’s affects more than 7 million Americans, and this finding offers fresh hope for treatment strategies.

The research, led by Bruce A. Yankner, a professor of genetics and neurology at Harvard Medical School, shows that lithium plays a vital role in maintaining the health of all major brain cell types in mice. When lithium levels in the brain drop, it appears to contribute to nearly all the major forms of brain deterioration seen in Alzheimer’s disease.

While lithium’s link to Alzheimer’s is new, the metal itself has a long medical history, most notably in mental health treatments.

What Is Lithium?

Lithium is the lightest metal found in nature. Silvery and soft, it’s best known today for powering our smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles, all thanks to its ability to store large amounts of energy and discharge electrons quickly.

Its use in everyday products has an unusual history.

The original version of the soft drink 7Up contained lithium citrate and was marketed as “Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda,” reported the Washington Post.

Lithium was removed in 1948 after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned its inclusion in soft drinks.

Today, Australia leads the world in lithium production, while Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina form the so-called “lithium triangle” due to their rich reserves.

Lithium’s Role in Mental Health

Lithium carbonate, a chemical form of the metal, has been a cornerstone in the treatment of bipolar disorder since its approval by the FDA in 1970. It is considered a mood stabilizer and is sometimes prescribed for long-term depression management.

Although researchers still don’t fully understand how it works, lithium is thought to reduce stress in the brain and boost neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize itself over time.

The new Nature study adds to this understanding, showing that our brains naturally contain small amounts of lithium.

Historically, lithium use in psychiatry dates back to the mid-19th century, but it gained prominence in the late 1940s when Australian psychiatrist John Cade found it helped stabilize bipolar patients.

“It’s been around for decades, and we have a lot of research and evidence supporting its use,” said Elizabeth Hoge to the Post. Hoge is a psychiatry professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine. However, Hoge cautioned that lithium treatment requires regular monitoring of kidney and thyroid function.

ALSO READ: Could Lithium Deficiency In The Brain Trigger Alzheimer’s?

Balwinder Singh, a psychiatry professor at the Mayo Clinic, as reported by the Post, calls lithium the “gold standard” for bipolar disorder, though it is prescribed less often in the U.S. than in Europe. Only about 10–15% of American bipolar patients take lithium, compared with around 35% in Europe. Singh also highlighted its unique benefit: “Lithium is the only mood stabilizer consistently shown to reduce suicidality.”

That said, some research has questioned lithium’s effectiveness for bipolar depression, finding it may not outperform placebos or antidepressants in certain cases.

Why Researchers Are Exploring Lithium for Alzheimer’s

Lithium’s potential role in Alzheimer’s is not entirely new. Past studies have hinted at its protective effects on the brain.

A 2017 Danish study suggested that communities with higher lithium levels in drinking water had lower rates of dementia.

Yankner’s team became interested in lithium after measuring the levels of 30 different metals in the brains and blood of three groups: cognitively healthy individuals, those in the early stages of dementia, and those with advanced Alzheimer’s. Of all the metals tested, only lithium showed a significant difference among the groups.

Lithium appears to help maintain the brain’s “communication network” by supporting neuron connections, producing the myelin that insulates those connections, and aiding microglial cells in clearing cellular debris—processes essential for memory and cognitive health.

How This Could Lead to New Treatments

In lab tests, Yankner’s team administered small amounts of lithium orotate, a different lithium compound, to mice with Alzheimer’s-like symptoms. The treatment reversed the disease model and restored brain function in the animals.

While the results are promising, Yankner stressed that it’s too early for people to start taking lithium for Alzheimer’s. The compound has not yet been tested in humans for this purpose, and lithium can be toxic if improperly dosed.

“This should spur clinical trials,” Yankner said, but he also cautioned that “things can change as you go from mice to humans.”

For now, the research offers an intriguing lead but not an immediate solution. Clinical trials, if launched soon, could take years to confirm whether lithium could safely and effectively slow or prevent Alzheimer’s in people.

A Small Metal With Big Potential

Scientists, now, are beginning to understand that it may also hold a key to protecting the brain from one of the most devastating diseases of our time.

If future studies confirm lithium’s benefits for Alzheimer’s, it could pave the way for a treatment that works by restoring something the brain naturally produces, rather than introducing an entirely foreign substance.