Microneedling
Not a drug, a delivery multiplier. Its best evidence is as an adjunct that helps other actives arrive.
BModerate evidence · strongest as an adjunct
Controlled micro-injury triggers a wound-healing response, releasing the body's own growth factors, and, crucially, transiently opens the skin barrier so topicals penetrate better. Several RCTs show microneedling plus minoxidil beats minoxidil alone. On its own the effect is smaller.
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Why this belongs in the delivery conversation
Microneedling is interesting precisely because it proves the point this publication keeps making: delivery is often the bottleneck. The same active does more when it can actually reach the papilla. That is also the logic behind lipid carriers like oleosomes, two different answers to the same barrier problem.
Done too aggressively it causes irritation and scarring risk; technique and depth matter. As an adjunct to an evidenced active, the risk-to-reward is favourable.
