Would You Try Dermarolling? [Poll]

I was willing to poke my skin with hundreds of tiny needles for the sake of bright, glowing, beautiful skin. The first time I heard about Dermarolling, I was equal parts scared and excited to give this a try. Everyone else around me? Not so much.

What’s Microneedling?

Microneedling, aka Dermarolling, is a cosmetic procedure in which thousands of tiny needles are inserted into the skin using a roller or stamping device. Dermarolling works by creating microscopic wounds, which induce collagen and elastin protection. In other words, it stimulates the production of the two things you need to prevent aging.

Meet the Dermaroller

At your dermatologist’s office, the Dermaroller device might look a lot different than the one you see everywhere. This is partly because your dermatologist most likely uses the stamping-like device. In this case, a set of microneedles are stamped into your skin to produce the micro-wounds that stimulate collagen.

The store-bought Dermaroller looks just as it sounds, a rolling instrument covered in tiny needles. Needle lengths go from 0.2 millimeters to 1.5 millimeters. Some needles do get close to the 2.0 millimeters length, but these are not recommended for home use.

Who Needs This?

Anyone looking to improve the appearance of their skin can benefit from Microneedling, some of the most significant benefits include:

• Reduced wrinkles and stretch marks
• Increases skin thickness
• Facial rejuvenation
• Reduced discoloration and acne scarring

How to Use a Dermaroller

If all of this sounds good to you, first consult with your dermatologist to make sure this is safe to use on your skin. Secondly, find the right Dermarolling needle length for your needs:

• 0.25 to 0.5 mm: works great to treat enlarged pores, blemishes, uneven skin tone, and wrinkles.
• 0.5 to 1.0 mm: ideal for sun damage or sagging skin, skin discoloration, and shallow acne scars.
• 1.0 to 2.00 mm: great for deep acne scars, stretch marks, and surgical scars.

Keep in mind that dermarollers that are greater than 0.3 mm in length are not approved or cleared by the FDA.

Step-by-Step Guide

Once you’ve got the green light from your doctor and you’ve spotted the perfect size for your needs, it’s time to get down to business.

Step 1: Disinfect

Since you’ll be poking your face with needles, you need to make sure they have no bacteria. Soak your dermaroller in 70% isopropyl alcohol for at least 10 minutes.

Step 2: Wash Your Face

Use a gentle cleanser, preferably one that won’t irritate your skin. Try a water-based cleanser for this procedure. If you’re using a needle longer than 0.5 mm, wipe down your face with 70% isopropyl alcohol beforehand.

Step 3: Consider Numbing Cream

In my opinion, Microneedling doesn’t hurt. In my partner’s opinion, I’ve completely lost my mind. So, for the sake of staying neutral, consider a numbing cream if your pain threshold is low.

Step 4: Start Dermarolling

The technique is everything to make sure you get the results you want. Make sure to stay away from your eye area. Then, follow this process:

• Roll in a vertical direction 6 to 8 times through the same section. Move the dermaroller to the side of that section and repeat until you cover the entire section.
• Roll in a horizontal direction 6 to 8 times through the same section. Repeat the same process as above.

At this point, you should have rolled each area 12-16 times, horizontally and vertically.

Step 5: Continue Your Skincare Routine

Wash your face with water once completed. Then continue with a basic skincare routine. Avoid chemical exfoliates, or active irritating ingredients such as salicylic acid, tretinoin, retinoid, etc.

Step 6: Disinfect Your Roller

Once again, soak your dermaroller in 70% isopropyl alcohol for at least 10 minutes. Wait for it to dry and place it back in its case.

A Note from GR8NESS

Depending on your skin type, you can use a dermaroller every other day. However, it also depends on the needle length. A 0.25 mm needle is safe to use every other day, while a 1.5 mm needle should only be used every 3 to 4 weeks. Again, consult with your dermatologist to figure out the best schedule for your skin’s needs. Be patient. According to research, you can start seeing results in as little as three sessions.