How to Use a Derma roller to Get Microneedling Effects at Home

Microneedling has quickly become a sought-after beauty treatment by millions of beauty enthusiasts. People’s desire to get rid of pimples, ages and wrinkles, and get a youthful and radiant complexion has led to enhancement of affordable solutions, such as the derma roller.

The derma roller is a tool, with small needles that pierce the skin and prompt it to produce more collagen to revitalize dead skin cells. While professional derma rolling treatments are more accurate, derma rollers can be used at home due to their ease of use and affordability.

But the key questions are:

• What are derma rollers and can they mimic the benefits of getting a professional microneedling?
• What preventive measures should be followed in order to avoid or reduce the level of risks?
• When should derma rolling be done, how frequent, and what is the right length of the needles?

That is why this guide is aimed to cover all the issues related to at-home microneedling with a derma roller, and answer the mentioned concerns.

What are Derma Rollers?

Derma roller heads are cylindrical in shape with numerous small needles and are fitted to a handle. They are generally manufactured using titanium and stainless steel, and using them involves rolling the head over the skin, making small puncture wounds. During this skin repair, there is also remodeling of the collagen and elastin fibers hence improving skin texture, decreasing pore size and enhancing skin firmness.

While derma rollers help in the enhancing of skin texture, decreased fine lines, and increased penetration of skincare products, results may not be as satisfying as those obtained from professional microneedling. This is because professional microneedling offers more amazing results to uplift your skin than at home microneedling.

Picking the best Derma Roller

The first decision to an excellent look at home is choosing the right derma roller. But what conditions should you take into account? The first aspect that comes into focus is the size of the needle. Novice players need to use a steel needle with a length of between 0.25mm and 0.5mm. These finer needles are adequate in increasing the uptake of products and rejuvenation of skin without inflicting harm.

However, if the skin problems that you are trying to address are demanding ones such as scars and wrinkles, you may use a needle size of 1.0mm-1.5mm. But an essential aspect here is care—the longer the needle, the higher the probability of various issues. Hence, use of a smaller needle in the initial stage gradually moving to the next size as the skin gets accustomed to the procedure may be the best bet.

Safety Issues and Measures

Here’s a summary of the safety precautions for using a derma roller at home:

1. Choose the Right Needle Length. Use the shorter needles (0. 25mm to 0. 5mm) and graduate to the longer ones depending on the skin’s response to treatment as well as the condition being treated.

2. Sterilize your derma roller with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol before using it and after the use as a way of avoiding infections.

3. Cleanse your skin with a mild soap in order to first deep cleanse then proceed to use a derma roller.

4. Avoid rolling over certain areas of the skin where you have open lesions , mechanical injuries , irritation , infection , inflammation, acne, dermatitis or psoriasis.

5. Use the correct rolling technique. Gently press and do not rub the area especially the under eye area. It is also crucial to roll it in many directions – in terms of the plate, on the vertical and diagonal plane, too.

6. Ensure that you give your skin sometime between using the device to recuperate. In the case of the shorter needles, it would be safe to go for the treatment once a week while for the longer needles one must wait for 4-6 weeks for the subsequent treatment.

7. Be cautious with skincare products: Post microneedling don’t use products with strong active components such as Retinol and Vitamin C use products that hydrate and calm the skin.

8. Protect your skin post-treatment. For instance, put on sunscreen of not less than SPF 30 and/or avoid direct exposure to the sun. Do not wear make-up for at least a day or even better, not use any make-up at all during the treatment.

8. Be keen to know when it is time to get professional help. You should see a dermatologist if you have severe skin problems or when you develop effects such as skin becoming red, inflammation that lasts a long time, or signs of an infection.

How to Prepare for Your Microneedling Session at Home

To ensure that your microneedling session at home is a success, here is how you should prepare;

Thorough planning gives a good and safe microneedling procedure at home. It thus is essential to have your skin and tools ready so that you can gain the benefits while avoiding the harms.

Product Selection

If you wish to get the most out of derma rolling, select the right serum. Select serums with ingredients that will address your skin concerns in their active components.

However, there are some ingredients that to be on the safe side, you should not consume when undergoing derma rolling.

Prepare Your Skin

• First, wash your face: Before using the derma roller, it is advisable to wash your face using mild soap. This way, you can be sure that your skin does not have traces of makeup dirt, or oil.
• Disinfect: It is always advisable to wipe the area where you intend to apply the oil with an alcohol pad to remove any bacteria that might be on the skin.
• Also, if you use longer needles, use a numbing cream to help soothe the area and reduce skin sensitivity before the procedure.

As a rule, the preparation involves applying a thin layer of cream to the skin and leaving it for about 30 minutes prior to derma rolling.

The Process of Microneedling at Home

If you follow the correct procedure, it is pretty easy and efficient to perform your microneedling treatment at home. You will find step-by-step instructions and valuable tips for a safe procedure with the best outcomes.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Derma Roller

When scrubbing the face, it is advisable to subdivide the face into sections, including the forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, and so on, to treat each section equally. Start by rolling vertically and then apply 4-6 rolls in the up and down direction on that section. The roller should be lifted from the skin before the direction is changed.

Continue rolling horizontally while bouncing the gadget four to six times in each direction to ensure thorough covering.

Recommended Rolling Patterns

Maintaining a regular rolling pattern guarantees that every area gets enough attention:

• Forehead - Roll across the whole forehead in three directions: vertical, horizontal, and diagonal.
• Cheeks - Employ the same method but work on the cheeks separately.
• Nose: Follow the natural contour of the nose, for gentle force is needed to work on it.  
• Chin – Roll here carefully, given this is a susceptible face area.

How Much Pressure to Apply

Since derma rollers are less invasive, many people approach the microneedling procedure without information and instigate damage to their skin. Follow these two guidelines to avoid applying unnecessary pressure.

• Apply Light to Moderate Pressure: The pressure used must be light to moderate so that it doesn’t cause too much pain and doesn’t seem to really hurt the skin. Furthermore, if the derma roller is rolled too firmly on the skin, it may cause skin damage or inflammation.
• Pay Attention to Your Skin: If It is stinging or becomes too red in the process, reduce the pressure. Though microneedling should cause some pain, it should not be extremely painful.

Aftercare for Microneedling

Following the procedure, patient care is needed to improve the results of the Microneedling treatment at home and ensure that you are recovering well without complications. Failing in the post-treatment measures, one is likely to suffer from Irritation, lingering redness, and infection, among other complications.

The following are the most helpful aftercare tips for you.

• First, it will be wise to keep hydrating. Also, apply a moisturizing serum with hyaluronic acid to avoid excessively dry or oily skin. Then, you need to cool the skin to minimize the redness and puffiness. Lastly, massage the treated area using a facial serum or a post-micro needling facial mask that will also act as a barrier to infections.  
• Choose an oily emollient if you don’t wish to have dry skin on the treated area. Also, try to include products with ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides. Then wait, say, for a couple of hours, avoid makeup, and let it heal from the irritation for about 2-3 days after the procedure.

Recommended Skincare Products to Apply in Achieving the Best Results

• Hyaluronic Serums: Fosters tissue healing and affords optimum moisturizing factors for a good result.
• Peptide serums: Peptides quicken recovery. If absorbed into the skin, they enhance the creation of collagen and help limit irritation.
• Moisturizers: If you are looking for a fragrance-free, gentle moisturizer for your skin, then moisturizers with ceramides, niacinamide, and glycerin should be your best pick.
• Sun protection: Your skin becomes sensitive to the sun’s UV rays upon microneedling. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid exposing the treated area to sunlight afterward. However, if you have to come out, apply lotion containing the right SPF.

Complications Associated with Microneedling and How to Avoid Them

Redness and Swelling

Following the procedure, superficial skin redness and some swelling are common. These side effects can persist for a few hours or a day, but applying a cold compress will lessen the edema.

Dryness and Flaking

Your skin texture will likely alter as the parts you treat heal after the procedure. To treat dryness and flaking, use moisturizers and serums with hyaluronic acid.

Sensitivity

Since the aftermath of the treatment, one is prone to sensations of tenderness to touch, heat, and cold. As such, one should not use acids, retinoids, or harsh cosmetics for at least one week. Use only calming, moisturizing, and non-irritating products on the skin.

Breakouts

Microneedling causes the skin to shed. Some people may break out because toxins are washed out of the skin. You can reduce this by avoiding contact with the skin and leaving it open.

Microneedling Aftercare Regimen

Day 1-2

In the morning, use a hyaluronic acid serum, mild facial cleanser, and calming facial moisturizer. If you cannot avoid going out, use sunscreen as the final step. Then, in the evening, rinse the face, apply a soothing serum, and moisturize.

Day 3–7

In the morning, use the same products as the initial days. At night, it is advisable to use a very gentle face wash, followed by the serum, which has peptides, hyaluronic acid, and moisturizer, before retiring to bed.

From Week 2 Forward

When using the active elements like retinoids or AHAs/BHAs, make a start with a low concentration and check how the skin responds to the ingredients. In the event of irritation, wash off such products and consult a professional.

Long-Term Aftercare Tips

• Regular Hydration: This involves taking many fluids, especially water to ensure that the skin remains hydrated to retain the microneedling outcomes.
• Use sunscreen consistently: Your skin should be protected from ultraviolet sun rays. It is a must to protect the recovering skin and improve the quality of the outcome.
• Healthy Lifestyle: To promote good skin health, ensure that you eat a balanced diet, abstain from cigarettes, and get adequate sleep.

How Often Should You Microneedle?

The frequency at which you should microneedle depends on several crucial factors, including your skin type, the length of the needle to be used, and your particular skin problems. You must strike the ideal balance between skin stimulation and recovery time to get the finest results without harming your skin.

Factors Affecting Microneedling Frequency

Needle Length

The longer the needles, the longer it takes to heal. Skin issues  in deeper layers of the skin call for longer needles, implying that the skin needs at least two weeks to heal before the next procedure can be performed.

Skin Type

Resilient skin can be treated more frequently than average. In contrast, delicate skin will need more extended periods in between therapies to avoid danger indications showing on the skin and allow the skin to heal fully from the treatment.

Skin Concerns

Aestheticians use higher frequency with shorter needles to address some particular problems, such as more profound fold wrinkles or post-acne scars. However, it is safer to take some precautions, avoiding rushing the skin and leaving it for about two weeks to improve the microneedling outcomes.

Tips for Maximizing Results

To achieve the intended results from a microneedling procedure, here are some tips to consider:

Combining Microneedling with Other Skincare Treatments

It is possible to perform microneedling together with other skincare treatments safely.

Enhance your results combining microneedling with serums containing active components such as growth factors, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. This is because these products can go deeper through the microchannels created by the derma roller.

Microneedling is recommended in conjunction with mild chemical peels, but one must ensure that the skin is allowed to heal before the next treatment. It is also important to always seek the advice of a dermatologist on the interval between the procedures.

When LED therapy is incorporated with microneedling, the healing process improves and reduces inflammation after the procedure.

Protecting the Skin Against UV Rays

After any procedure involving the removal of the top layer of skin, the skin becomes much more sensitive to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

For your skin's safety, always wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30, which will protect your skin from both types of radiation. Also, wear helmets and protective clothing if it ever gets hot outside.

Patience and Consistency

Microneedling is not an instant treatment, so you need to exercise patience when undergoing it. Over time, you will find that scarring is less, the skin is more alive, and the texture will improve. However, you have to be very careful not to do the procedure often, as more frequent treatments do not equal better skin and may, in fact, harm your skin.

When to Seek a Dermatologist

If you have severe skin problems like hyperpigmentation and severe acne scars, seek help from a dermatologist. For such illnesses, you may need professional microneedling rather than doing it at home, which may be inefficient and dangerous.

Conclusion

Using a derma roller in microneedling therapy is efficient and cost-effective in achieving fairer skin tone, eradicating scars, and improving skin texture. With the correct procedures explained above and a keen following of microneedling aftercare, one can arrive at optimal results with least side effects.

Have you been planning for smooth skin? Try microneedling today. With the help of the Diaminy product range, you get the highest professional level microneedling at home. Shop Diaminy’s derma rollers and kick start a new glowing skin natural skincare routine today.