Experience report: 36 needles instead of 10/12
Since the Follica trial slides leaked (which state that needle density is a very important aspect of the protocol), I promised I would try to pick up needling again and see if, with higher needle density, it would work for me.
Quick reminder: I am using minoxidil once a day for 7 years already and tried needling at 1.75mm for more than 6 months in 2019 without any regrowth whatsoever. In other words, I am a non-responder to needling so far (but not to minoxidil - minoxidil helps me but I've already reached peak regrowth on minoxidil). Currently age 30, NW4.
So yesterday I tried needling with a 36 needle head (instead of the previous 10 or 12 needle heads) and the result: it does not work. They do not penetrate into my skin at all. I guess the force per needle is too small. It was more like massaging/hammering my skin from the outside, but the needles didn't go in one single bit, not even with significant force/pressure.
The thing is that the needles on the 36 needle head are not as thin as the needles on the 10/12 needle headers. That might be part of the reason why they did not penetrate into my skin at all, they are less pointy. I'm using the TBPHP dermaneedling device and ordered the official heads from TBPHP. Maybe with other, pricier devices 36 needle heads will work?
Anyway: 36 TBPHP needles cannot penetrate my skin.
I'd love to try a needle count in the middle between 12 and 36, but unfortunately TBPHP does not offer other needle heads for my device.