Follow these steps precisely to avoid any hazards and unwanted infections.
It is important to remember that the following recommendations are generalized for almost everyone. Most studies on microneedling are case reports or very small studies. Treatment sessions and settings like needle length, depth, and the number of passes need to be further explored.
Step 1: Disinfect your roller
Disinfect your derma roller by letting it soak in 70% isopropyl alcohol for approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 2: Wash your face
Thoroughly cleanse your face using a gentle pH-balanced cleanser. If you’re using a derma roller with needles longer than 0.5 mm, you’ll also need to wipe down your face with 70% isopropyl alcohol before the rolling process.
Step 3: Apply numbing cream, if needed
Depending on your pain tolerance, you might need to apply an anesthetic cream. However, you’ll most certainly want some numbing cream for anything above 1.0 mm, since that needle length will draw blood via pinpoint bleeding.
If you use numbing cream, follow the instructions the manufacturer provides, and make sure to completely wipe it if off before you start rolling!
Step 4: Begin dermarolling
The technique is very important. Visually splitting up your face into sections makes the whole process easier. Here’s a visual of what that looks like:
Avoid rolling in the shaded area, representing the orbital (eye sockets) area.
- According to one 2015 literature review, roll in one direction about four times, depending on your skin tolerance and sensitivity, and make sure to lift the roller after each pass. So, roll in one direction. Lift up. Repeat.
Lifting the derma roller after each pass prevents “tram track” scarring.
- After you roll in the same place several times, adjust the derma roller slightly, and repeat. Do this until you’ve covered the entire section of skin you’re treating.
- After rolling in one direction, it’s time to go back over the area you just rolled and repeat the process in the perpendicular direction. For example, say you finished rolling across your forehead vertically, now would be the time to go back and repeat that entire process horizontally.
Contrary to popular belief, we may not need to roll diagonally. Doing so could create an uneven pattern distribution with more stress on the center. If you decide to do this, please be careful and take extra precautionary measures.
Step 5: Wash your face with water
After you’re done microneedling, rinse your face with water only.
Step 6: Clean your derma roller
Clean your derma roller with unscented detergent. Create a soapy water mix in a plastic container, then swish around the roller vigorously, ensuring the roller doesn’t hit the sides.
The reason we use detergents directly after rolling is that alcohol doesn’t dissolve the proteins found in skin and blood, but detergents contain enzymes that can break down these proteins. According to the Cleaning Institute, the enzyme protease is best for cleaning protein stains, like blood.
Step 7: Disinfect your roller
Disinfect your derma roller again by letting it soak in the 70% isopropyl alcohol for 10 minutes. Put it back in its case and store it somewhere safe.
Step 8: Continue your basic skin care routine
Follow up the derma rolling with a basic skin care routine. That means no chemical exfoliants or active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, tretinoin, etc.
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Use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer.
— Update: 02-02-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article Will Your Skin Benefit From Using a Derma Roller? from the website www.ry.com.au for the keyword benefits of derma roller.
What if we told you that letting hundreds of tiny needles penetrate the surface of your skin could change the way it looks forever!? Surely you’re either scoffing or wincing in pain, two of the most natural reactions we’ve noticed when telling friends, family and colleagues about the powers of a derma roller. But, it’s not as quack as it may sound, and in fact, could be the answer to a huge range of skincare concerns you may have been grappling with for a while.
Will Your Skin Benefit From Using a Derma Roller?
Of course, we’re not asking you to hop straight online and purchase a derma roller without knowing all of the facts, first. Before you get to micro-needling your skin yourself, there are a few things you’ll need to know, including how to maximise efficacy and how to buy the ideal derma roller. Whether you’re a convert or a cynic, keep on reading to find out how you could make a derma roller work for your skin.
What is a derma roller?
A derma roller, AKA a skin needling device, features a cylindrical body attached to a long handle. The cylinder is covered in tons of little needles that individually prick the surface of the skin, creating what are known as ‘micro-injuries’. Simply pick up the handle and roll the body of the device over the skin…well, that’s technically how it works. But, there are a lot of other things to take into consideration before getting rollin’.
We’re not asking you to inflict injury on your complexion for no reason — there are so many benefits to this practice. After micro-injuries are created, skin has to work extra hard to repair the ‘broken’ cells, which in turn accelerates the production of collagen and elastin. These key proteins are produced less effectively as we age, resulting in the formation of wrinkles and fine lines.
Many people are curious about what using a derma roller feels like, and despite the fact that many needles are involved, it’s a lot less painful than you’d think. The thin, short nature of the needles means you’ll barely feel it at all. You may experience slight discomfort or redness after using your derma roller, but at worst, it’ll feel like a mild sunburn.
How will a derma roller benefit me?
As a derma roller encourages collagen and elastin production, it can have benefits that include the softening and blurring of physical ageing signs. It also works wonders for loose or thinning skin, both of which are also directly related to these important natural proteins.
Derma rolling is also beneficial for a range of other skin types, including scarred, dehydrated and hyperpigmented. Regular derma rolling has been found to fade acne scars in particular, as these are often quite rooted in the skin’s layers, which the micro-needles are able to reach. Even if you have acne, you can use a derma roller — just ensure you’re not rolling over active pimples, and are sterilising the needles after every use.
Derma rolling also means that the top layer of your skin is shed in the process, encouraging effective skin cell turnover. This works wonders for those experiencing hyperpigmentation in the form of darkened or lightened spots, as shedding away surface layers ensures the new skin isn’t affected by discolouration.
You can even use your derma roller on your under eye area to plump and smooth away bags, and on the lips to encourage an enviable pout.
What do I look for in a derma roller?
If we’ve sold you on all the benefits of a derma roller, you’re probably excited to get your hands on one. But, it’s not that simple — not all derma rollers were created equal! It can actually be quite dangerous for the skin to use the wrong one, so here are a few things to look out for.
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First, ensure your product is entirely reputable. No paying a few bucks off a cheapie site, because at the end of the day, your skin health is seriously important! Generally, you’ll be looking at an investment between $30 and $100 for a quality derma roller, depending on the brand. Don’t splash too much cash, but beware that anything that seems too good to be true probably is.
Another aspect you’ll want to look out for is the needle’s size and thickness. Anything above 0.3mm shouldn’t be used at home, as it can cause damage quite easily when not wielded correctly (AKA, by one of the pros). Opt for an 0.2 or 0.25mm sized needle. You’ll also want to ensure it’s made of a quality material, such as surgical-grade steel or titanium.
Our go-to derma roller is the Skinstitut Skin-Inject Derma Roller 0.25mm, which uses surgical-grade steel.
— Update: 10-02-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article An Expert’s Guide To Dermarollers – How They Work And What They Do from the website www.bebeautiful.in for the keyword benefits of derma roller.
- How does a dermaroller work?
- How does dermarolling benefit your skin?
- What to expect from a dermarolling session?
- How long does dermarolling take to work?
- Expert tips and best practices for dermarollers
- FAQs about dermaroller
In the clinical sense, dermarollers are also referred to as microneedling. They are either done manually or in combination with a radio frequency machine (Microneedling RF). Both kinds of dermarolling clinical treatments are extremely beneficial for skin resurfacing, skin rejuvenation, fading acne-scars, anti-ageing etc. Dermarolling is a treatment that is often recommended by dermatologists to get done in-clinic and here’s everything you need to know about it…
How does a dermaroller work?
As mentioned earlier, dermarolling is a clinical and cosmetic procedure where hundreds of tiny little needles are rolled onto the surface of the skin. This results in the infliction of microscopic wounds that boost collagen and elastin production. According to Dr. Deshmukh, “With each stroke, the dermarolling device uses the pin-point technique leading to stimulate healthy collagen in the skin. This helps with collagen remodeling and resurfacing of the skin and achieves its many benefits. Dermarolling procedures are further enhanced by using a serum or PRP technology to achieve a wide number of benefits.”
Even though it sounds scary, dermarolling is considered a non-invasive and a fairly safe procedure. This is because the wounds made by them are microscopic and superficial. When performed by a professional, the injuries are made in a controlled manner, helping break down scar tissue and benefitting from the subsequent natural wound healing action of your body.
How does dermarolling benefit your skin?
By now you might have some idea of how dermarolling works on the skin. The main collagen-boosting action is what draws beauty enthusiasts to this treatment because collagen is the key protein responsible for maintaining healthy skin. This naturally occurring protein starts to deplete in the human body post the age of 20, the effects of which start to show on your skin. The puncturing action of dermarollers, paired with other types of add-ons like potent serums and PRP, gets the following reaction from your skin:
1. Breaking down of scar tissue to promote healing
2. Resurfacing of the top layer of the skin to boost firmness
3. Fading of fine lines and wrinkles
4. Reduction or pore size and sebum regulation
5. Fading of stretch marks
What to expect from a dermarolling session?
Similar to other non-invasive clinical treatments, dermarolling is a pretty quick procedure. Lasting anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour, here is what you can expect from a standard dermaroller treatment:
Step 01: Every dermarolling session is preceded by sanitising and disinfecting the rollers in a solution of isopropyl alcohol for 5-10 minutes. This is done to keep any unwanted bacterial infections at bay.
Step 02: Once the rollers are sanitised and ready, the professional will move on to thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting your skin as well. The bacteria on your skin can lead to infections as well, especially if you have choses longer needles for the session.
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Step 03: Once your face is cleansed thoroughly, a numbing cream is applied to your face and left on depending on an individual’s pain tolerance. This cream is then wiped off completely before the next step.
Step 04: After the numbing cream, a serum may or may not be applied to the face to start the dermarolling. The face is divided into sections and each of them is stroked according to the skin issue at hand.
Step 05: In the final step, the face is gently cleansed with water and followed up with a basic skincare routine – just the essentials like moisturiser and SPF. It is not advisable to apply exfoliants or active ingredients on the face post a session of microneedling.
FYI, you might notice some minor swelling, redness or pulsing of the skin post-treatment; do not stress over it as these conditions will subside after a few days. In the meanwhile, follow a good skincare routine and do not pick at any flaking!
How long does dermarolling take to work?
Since the main goal of dermarolling is to boost collagen production, the time taken can vary greatly from person to person. Collagen remodelling is a slow process and entirely dependent on your skin type, which means you cannot put a time stamp on it. The time taken will also depend on the kind of roller you have chosen for your treatments and how often you go in for the sessions. On average, results have been known to show up anywhere between 2-6 months. However, this duration is largely dependent on the kind of microneedling procedure you have chosen, the length of the needles and the skin issue you are targeting. For instance, skin issues like hyperpigmentation or wrinkles can require more sessions as compared to others, deciding on the frequency is entirely up to you.
Expert tips and best practices for dermarollers
1. Dermarollers are not recommended to be used at home, most dermatologists agree.
2. Avoid going into the sun right after a dermarolling treatment as it can cause tanning and pigmentation.
3. Include skin repair and rejuvenation ingredients in your post care routine; ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid can come in handy.
4. Make sure to not skip the SPF following the treatment as the treatment will heighten your sensitivity to the sun.
5. Use some skin ice packs to bring down any painful inflammation post the treatment.
FAQs about dermaroller
1) Are there any side effects of dermarolling?
A. Similar to any clinical skin treatment, dermarolling can have side effects as well. However, these side effects can arise from bad practices than the procedure itself. Some of the adverse effects of a dermarolling session gone wrong are skin irritation, bruising, peeling, bleeding and painful infections.
2) Can I use a vitamin C serum after dermarolling treatment?
A. Yes, vitamin C is one of the best serums to use. Infused with amazing anti-ageing benefits, it can help enhance the results of the treatment tremendously. However, it is recommended that you wait a couple of days after the session to apply ascorbic acid on your face. Your skin will already be a lot sensitised and the low pH of vitamin C serums can irritate your skin further.
3) Do dermarollers help tighten skin?
A. Yes, since dermarolling boosts collagen and elastin in the skin, it can target loose patches and help tighten saggy skin. The treatment can also be applied to other parts of the body to help tighten it, consult your dermatologist as to which one will be right for you.
4) Can dermarolling make you break out?
A. It is often advised to not use dermarollers on active breakouts as it can cause the bacteria to spread out and cause more acne. Do not opt for a dermarolling treatment if you have active lesions on your face. However, the treatment is excellent at dealing with acne scars, but make sure you pick the right time for it, which is after the acne has been healed.
