Derma rolling is arguably the champion of skin treatments thanks to the power of the innovative derma roller. It is the perfect simple and safe procedure to help you restore the skin to its pristine condition without going under the knife.
Over the years, microneedling technology has advanced significantly, and all it takes now is basic technique knowledge and a derma roller to achieve flawless skin in the comfort of your home. Moreover, the derma roller market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 5.4% between 2024 and 2032.
So, there has never been a better time to jump on the trend! But first, you need a proper understanding of derma rollers and know how to use a derma roller which we will provide in this article.
Understanding Derma Rollers
A derma roller has a handle and a roller head with hundreds of tiny needles attached to it. Now, before you jump at the mention of needles, the concept of using needles to treat various skin conditions has been around for decades, and it has produced indisputably effective results.
Derma Rolling; The Workings
Derma rolling involves using tools such as a derma pen to prick the skin surface gently and leave minor injuries that trigger the skin to go into self-repair mode.
It may sound intense, especially with the miniature titanium needles involved, but the procedure is mostly painless.
Although, who would mind a little pain if you get flawless skin in return?
As the skin heals, it restores dead or inactive tissue and promotes blood flow around the treated area. This solves various skin conditions and concerns, such as acne scars, signs of aging, and even hair loss.
Is a Derma Roller Suitable for Everyone?
In some cases, you may not be eligible to reap the rewards of microneedling. These include;
- Eczema - Eczema deprives the skin of its natural ability to retain moisture and protect itself from outside elements. Without this ability, there is a high chance of infection during the procedure.
- If you have a history of blood clots, derma rolling may not be the procedure for you.
- Psoriasis - This condition causes skin cells to multiply unusually quickly, causing severe skin health complications, and using a derma roller on the affected skin may worsen these concerns.
- Active skin conditions - If you have active untreated rashes, acne, or warts, you are advised not to use a derma roller, as the condition may spread to other healthy areas.
- If you're on Accutane or retinol as skin medication, consider stopping a few days before using a derma roller.
- You cannot use a derma roller on your skin if you have experienced sunburn and other skin concerns recently.
Selecting a Derma Roller
Choosing a derma roller is the first step towards making all your skin treatment dreams come true. It is also crucial to the microneedling procedure's success, whether in a clinic or at home, and these factors will help you make the right choice.
1. Length of the Needle
The recommended derma roller needle length for use at home is between 0.3mm and half a milimeter. The shorter the derma rolling needles, the safer a derma roller is, but you may also have difficulty achieving effective results with shorter needles.
2. Skin Concerns
Another crucial factor to consider is the skin condition that you are treating. If your skin is generally sensitive, a derma roller with shorter needles will suit you best, but for deeper-lying conditions like acne scars and wrinkles, you should opt for longer needles.
3. Needle Material
Derma roller needles are mostly made of titanium or stainless steel. Titanium is stronger and more durable than stainless steel, and the needles remain sharp for a longer period. On the other hand, stainless steel is preferred as it is naturally more sterile.
4. Needle Size
A 0.3mm thick needle is the most suitable for derma rolling, as anything thicker may damage skin pores and injure the skin more than is necessary during the microneedling procedure. Additionally, always choose thinner needles for delicate skin.
5. Safety
A good derma roller should come with a head cap and box storage for safe storage away from germs.
The Dos and Donts of Owning and Using a Derma Roller
Selecting and using a derma roller can be hectic, hence the importance of engaging an expert to guide you through the entire process. Furthermore, derma rollers can easily pick up germs during storage, so it's crucial to clean yours thoroughly and disinfect it to eliminate germs that may cause skin infections.
At the beginning of your derma rolling journey, start with shorter needles and work your way up as you gain more experience. And when derma rolling, avoid rolling back and forth on the skin, as you may end up with inconsistent results and scar the skin. Instead, roll, lift the derma roller, and repeat the process.
Furthermore, derma rollers can easily cause swelling and sensitivity, so waiting until the skin heals before you perform the next microneedling procedure only fits. If you're a beginner, once a week or a fortnight is a good place to start.
If you want to see fast and lasting microneedling results, proper aftercare is crucial after the procedure. Also note that performing the derma rolling procedure on active acne or rosacea may lead to more infections and severe irritation. Therefore, you may have to wait for these conditions to heal before performing derma rolling.
Lastly, if you use a derma roller once, do not let another person use it, as it may spread skin conditions.
How to Use a Derma Roller
A derma roller is safer and will produce excellent results if used correctly. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use it:
Prepare Your Skin and the Derma Roller
While preparing for derma rolling, ensure that the derma roller and your skin are clean to avoid infections. First, disinfect your microneedling tool by soaking in concentrated alcohol for a few minutes to kill germs and bacteria on the needles and then air-dry.
For the skin, avoid cleansers with active ingredients such as salicylic acid and retinol, and after her cleansing, gently pat your skin and apply a serum of your choice.
Microneedling
Your technique largely influences the effectiveness of a microneedling procedure. However, if it's your first microneedling at home, it doesn't have to be perfect, as it will take some time to get it right.
If you're using a derma roller on a large area, divide it into smaller sections that will be easier to treat effectively.Select a specific area on the face, like the forehead or cheeks, and treat it adequately before moving on to the next
Hold the skin tight in one section and start rolling up and down. Lift the roller before changing direction and then move it slightly to the left or right to cover a new area. Do this 4-5 times vertically and horizontally to cover the entire section. At home, limit your derma rolling sessions on the face to about 2 minutes. This is enough to cover every section.
After Treatment
After derma rolling, use a moisturizer to hydrate the skin, but avoid vitamin C and retinol-based products to prevent irritation. Then gently dab another layer of serum on the skin as the tiny holes left by the needles help the skin absorb serums.
Then clean, sanitize, and store your derma roller properly for future use.
What Are the Results of Derma Rolling
Before buying and using a derma roller, you must know what you stand to gain and why it's the perfect procedure. Some of these benefits of microneedling include:
Minimizes Fine lines and wrinkles
Aging causes wrinkles and fine lines, which may leave you feeling self-conscious and frustrated. However, microneedling is the perfect skin treatment to alleviate and get rid of these concerns.
Scar Removal
Do you struggle with public appearances due to scars all over your face? If so, derma rolling is the perfect skin treatment for you. A derma roller gets rid of these stubborn marks by triggering tissue regeneration.
Evens Out Skin
Skin conditions such as sunspots, uneven pigmentation, and age spots are a significant nuisance. However, these concerns make you the perfect candidate for a derma rolling procedure. The procedure slowly promotes an even skin tone as the micro-wounds caused by the derma roller gradually heal.
Enhances Your Skincare Routine
Another advantage of derma rolling as a skin treatment is its ability to enable the skin to allow the skin to absorb skincare products seamlessly. There may need to be more than microneedling to achieve your desired skin quality. However, it increases the efficiency of your skincare routine by opening up pores on the skin so it can absorb serums and other products well.
Shrinks Large Pores
Large pores on the skin can be a significant distraction and inconvenience. However, dermarolling makes the skin plumper, shrinking large pores and making them less noticeable, especially in individuals with oily skin.
Promotes Hair Growth
Derma rolling has advanced significantly to become a leading hair loss treatment. It is performed on the scalp to revitalize hair follicles, making it the perfect cure for alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia.
Reduces Stretch Marks
If you are struggling with stretch marks, you can perform microneedling with Platelet-Rich Plasma(PRP) therapy to gradually eliminate them. This will further enhance skin rejuvenation by breaking down the damaged tissue.
And there you have it! Everything you need to know about a derma roller! If you are looking for the perfect skin remedy to help you achieve your ideal skin tone and alleviate frustrating skin conditions, a derma roller is just the product for you.
At Diaminy, we have every resource you need to enable you to make the right decision as you chase your skin goals. Reach out to us when you're ready to commit, and we'll help you through the process.
