What you need to know about dermaroller!
A dermaroller 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’. If you have never seen a dermaroller before, you might not know what you are looking at when you first see it. The main part is rotating wheel filled with 100 to 1000 tiny micro needles. The long handle gives you control over where you use the roller.When the derma roller is rolled over the skin, the small, fine needles on the roller puncture the skin.The holes that the needles create in the skin are tiny and considered to be superficial. For this reason, the treatment is not seen as invasive.When the skin is punctured, this creates a controlled skin injury. It does not cause actual damage to the outer layer of skin. The needles help to break down any scar tissue.
The controlled injuries to the skin lead to superficial bleeding. This triggers the body’s wound healing response, and the following occurs:
- the skin releases substances that stimulate growth
- new blood vessels form in the skin
- the skin starts to make more collagen
Over the next 5 days, the collagen produced by the body is deposited in the area of treated skin. This helps the skin to become firmer and may reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles.
How will a derma roller benefit you?
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 hyper pigmented. 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 sterilizing the needles after every use.
How to choose a Dermaroller
Realizing derma rolling benefits need not to be expensive. There are three main aspects to choosing a derma roller :
- Needle length- For more sensitive and thinner skin areas (face, lips) you want a shorter needle of 0.25 to 0.75 mm. For areas where skin is thicker, you may want to use 1.00 mm for the best micro needling benefits.
- Number of needles- A broad roller with a larger number of needles can more effectively treat a larger area of skin when done on a regular basis. For Smaller skin areas such as the face, small rollers usually work best.
- Handle length and size- You want to get a derma roller with a handle length and size that is comfortable for the size of your hands.
How to use one
If using a dermaroller at home, a person should follow the steps described here:
- remove the dermaroller from its container
- spray it with alcohol solution and wash with warm water to sterilize
- prepare the skin for treatment with an antiseptic or saline wash
- hold the skin taughtroll over each section, once up and down, once side to side, and once diagonally
- bathe the skin with saline after the skin has reddened
- spray the dermaroller with alcohol solution and wash with warm water to sterilize
- leave the dermaroller to dry
- put back in the storage case
When using the dermaroller on the face, a person should treat five sections of the face in turn. These sections are:
- top right of forehead and cheek
- top left of forehead and cheek
- right under eye and lower cheek
- left under eye and lower cheek
- around the mouth
After using the dermaroller, a person can apply serums or moisturizers to their skin. The treatment is often used as a delivery system to maximize the effects of these lotions.It is thought that these applications are absorbed much more easily and deeply by skin treated by a dermaroller than untreated skin.People should avoid a dermaroller if they have a history of blood-clotting problems, or are using a drug called Roaccutane or other medical treatments.Dermarollers should not be used on areas of skin that have eczema, sunburn, or cold sores. Anywhere there are moles, skin inflammation, or rosacea should also be avoided.
Tips and best practices
Trying the following tips and best practices may help to improve a person’s dermarolling results:
- take vitamin C supplements in the month before treatment to boost collagen production
- use ice packs after treatment if experiencing any pain
- apply skin serums or anti-aging moisturizers after treatment
- use sunscreen in the days after use, as skin could burn more easily than usual
- repeat treatment two or three times a week
- keep away from area immediately around the eyes
- avoid use around areas of infected acne
- never share the device with another person