Derma rollers have a number of uses, but the main ones are for improving pigmentation issues and improving the surface of the skin. Fine lines, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation are all said to be diminished with regular
Microneedling has been found to be effective in reducing even burn scars [Figure 5] by up to 80% in a study on 16 patients by Aust et al. It was stipulated that there is normalization of collagen-elastin matrix in the dermis at 1 year.
Use Your Dermaroller
No need to press too hard or put yourself in pain—apply as much pressure as you can comfortably tolerate. How often you dermaroll is dependent on the size of your needles, as well as your skin type. If your dermaroller has longer needles, you may only need to dermaroll once per month.
How Often Should You Derma Roll? According to Dr. Zeichner, derma rollers can initially be used every few days. "If your skin can tolerate the treatment without any issues, advance to every other day, then eventually every day," he explains.
And without proper sterilization, derma rollers can harbor harmful bacteria causing infections, breakouts and can trigger skin conditions such as rosacea, which causes redness and bumps on the face; eczema, itchy inflammation spots; and melasma, brown patches on the skin.
How Long Does It Take to See Results From Skin MicroNeedling? One of the many advantages associated with this treatment is that patients usually see some signs of improvement within a week, with more dramatic results developing over the next three or four weeks.
In short, yes, microneedling can make you look younger. As we age, our skin tends to become less tight and firm. When you get older, your body starts to break down collagen faster than it can produce it.
Microneedling can cause bleeding so it may not be suitable for people with clotting or bleeding disorders, or who take medicine to thin their blood. You may want to avoid microneedling if you have conditions that affect your skin, such as eczema or diabetes, or if you have a weakened immune system.
Like all cosmetic procedures, microneedling isn't without risk. The most common side effect is minor skin irritation immediately following the procedure. You may also see redness for a few days.
Microneedling causes a low level of trauma to the outer layer of the skin. This prompts the skin's healing process, leading to skin regeneration and to the production of anti-aging substances such as collagen and elastin. Derma rollers, on the other hand, create tiny pathways in the skin with shorter needles.
Hyaluronic acid can be used following microneedling, and it's even recommended in some cases to help stimulate collagen production after your procedure. If your skin feels dry, it's generally safe to apply coconut oil as an emollient to lock in moisture and hydrate your face after microneedling.
Both microneedling and Botox injections are safe and effective for patients with all skin types. Depending on patient needs, you may even recommend both, using microneedling to improve the surface and deeper condition of the skin, with Botox injections to help improve results longer term.
Needles become blunt after use so chances of scarring could be there if you reuse the roller more than three times, she says.
While the common use of derma rollers is mostly for facial skin and other wider areas, it's possible to use them for the neck and chest skin. Since the microneedling treatment can also rejuvenate collagen production in those areas, it's an excellent way to prevent crepey skin from occurring.
The short answer is yes you can wash your face after dermarolling, but please wait 6 hours to let your skin heal. [1] Washing immediately after the procedure will reduce the beneficial impact of dermarolling.
But can you use a vitamin C serum with a derma roller treatment? As it turns out, it's not a good idea. Because the active ingredient in vitamin C serum goes underneath the skin, it can drastically slow down the healing process from your derma roller treatments, and may even ruin the entire process altogether.
To achieve a maximum result, make sure that you prepare your skin for the derma rolling session. Wash the specific area with soap and water. Then, you may cleanse and exfoliate the area using a chemical peel for a better result. Cleansing and exfoliating increases the faster absorption of the skin.
It's recommended that you use a serum (or some similar "priming" product) with a derma-roller. It acts as a buffer between the needles and your skin, and even increases the absorption.
A good quality dermaroller can last for approximately three to four months. After that, you must replace it with a new one. Cheap rollers use poor quality needles that are made of cheap surgical steel. And it can bend and become worn out easily.
Derma rollers can massage your scalp and increase the blood flow to your scalp. Research shows that increased blood flow to the scalp results increases hair growth and thickness. Thus helping with hair regrowth.
Hyaluronic acid serums are the best and most commonly used type for microneedling because of their hydrating properties. Other great alternatives include peptides, ceramides, and EGF. Just make sure to avoid retinoids, Vitamin C, and other serums that contain acids (AHA, BHA, and lactic acid).
Derma pens are handheld devices that are similar to derma rollers, but they work via oscillating pulses that quickly move the needle up and down the treatment site. Unlike rollers that move horizontally across the skin, dermapens move vertically. They're more maneuverable than dermarollers since they're easier to grip.
Instead of manually moving a roller across the surface of the skin, a microneedling pen is motorized, which offers more precision. This means the areas of the skin that are needled are more controlled and can be targeted much more specifically.