Here Is Your Brief Guide To The Much Talked About ‘Derma Roller Treatment’

4.1K

You might have already heard about the ‘Derma Roller Treatment’ and its excellent benefits. But if you are still wondering what the treatment is all about, worry not! We’ve got you covered in this article. But, first, let’s discuss everything about the treatment and the process, which will help you make an informed decision.

What Is The ‘Derma Roller Treatment’? 

The ‘Derma Roller Treatment’, also known as ‘derma rolling’ or ‘micro needling’, is a cosmetic procedure in which thousands of tiny needles or ‘microneedles’ present on the surface of a device called ‘derma roller’ are inserted into the surface of the skin to stimulate it (1). Then, the device is rolled across the skin in a controlled manner so that it can reach all parts of the skin seamlessly. The process may seem terrifying as the needles result in many minor injuries all over the skin. However, it is known to be minimally invasive with little to no downtime.

What Is A ‘Derma Roller’?

A ‘derma roller’ is a rolling or stamping device with thousands of tiny needles encapsulated on its surface. The needles can be made of either titanium or stainless steel. While titanium needles are solid and durable, they are not sterile enough and often need to be cleaned (2). Conversely, stainless steel needles get blunt more quickly though they are inherently more sterile. Therefore, it is always better to go with steel-made needles to maintain better hygiene, and it is also considered a professionals’ choice.

The length of the needles varies, and you need to pick a device based on your requirements. Here is a list of ‘which to use’ and ‘when to use’ for your convenience:

• 0.5mm: Light acne scars, mild chickenpox scars, uneven skin tone or texture,  sun-damaged skin, saggy skin, thinning hair, and mild anti-aging treatment
• 1.0mm: Deep acne scars, surgical scars, skin discoloration, cellulite, and stretch marks
• 1.5mm: Very deep scars, deep wrinkles, and severe cases of cellulite
• 2.0mm-2.5mm: Enlarged pores (used only by professionals while performing the treatment under topical anesthesia.

How Is The Derma Roller Used? 

Find the best derma roller with the correct needle size and precisely follow the steps given below:

1. Start by disinfecting your derma roller properly. Also, wash the skin (on which you will use the device) thoroughly with a mild, pH-balanced cleanser.
2. Apply an ‘anesthetic cream’ or numbing cream based on the thickness of the needle you will use and your pain tolerance level.
3. Now, start derma rolling. First, roll the device across your skin in one direction (say, vertically), lift it, and repeat 6 to 8 times in the same direction. Next, move the device over the skin a little and roll it again 6 to 8 times, just like the previous way. Keep repeating until that particular section of the skin is rolled completely in one specific direction.
4. Then, go back over the area of the skin from where you started and repeat the previous step by moving the derma roller in the perpendicular direction. Then, cover the entire skin again this way.
5. Once you are done with it, wash your skin with plain water. Also, clean and disinfect your derma roller nicely.

How Does Dermarolling Work?

The derma roller treatment creates ‘microscopic injuries’, and the skin starts producing excess collagen to heal those wounds. Collagen is a protein that holds the connective tissues in our body together, thereby making us look fresh, rejuvenated, and youthful. As it artificially induces collagen production in the skin, it is also given the name collagen induction therapy.

Some of the immediate results of dermarolling include redness, minor swelling, slight burning sensation, pulsing sensation, peeling of skin, etc. These will subside in 2-3 days automatically.

Benefits Of The Derma Roller Treatment

If used the right way, a derma roller can work and offer tons of benefits. As a result of excess collagen, the skin automatically looks plumped up. This helps in erasing wrinkles, fine lines, acne marks, stretch marks, skin discoloration, etc. while filling up scars, cellulite marks, etc., and increasing the thickness of the skin (3). The ‘poking’ action also improves blood circulation throughout the skin, thus making it rejuvenated and naturally glowing. The treatment also opens up the pores to make the skin more receptive to any product applied to it.

The derma roller treatment does not promise an overnight success. You can see minor improvements in a couple of weeks while substantial progress will be visible within a few months.

Is The Derma Roller Treatment Safe?

When it comes to the safety concern, the following factors should always be considered:

• There are chances of infection if you do not sterilize the needles after each use.
• Make sure that you follow the pre and post-care guidelines correctly.
• Buy only the best quality device since fake or low-quality ones can cause damage to your skin.
• Very thick needles can also end up damaging your skin. So, start with the thinnest one and determine your tolerance level first.
• If your skin is hyperactive and breaks out regularly, do not use a derma roller as it may spread the bacteria and cause damages.
• It is always advised not to overdo derma rolling and do a patch test to see how your skin responds to the treatment before proceeding with it.

Also Read – Neem For Acne And Pimple Treatments

Things To Remember…

• If you use the derma roller on your face, splitting it into multiple sections may make your job much easier. But make sure that you skip the areas around your eye sockets. (4)
• Rolling the device diagonally will create more stress on the center of your face due to uneven pattern distribution. Better to avoid it or be extra careful.
• Please do not put too much pressure while rolling the device on your skin as it will be very painful for you, and the injuries will take more time to heal.
• Make sure that you lift the derma roller after each roll to prevent the appearance of ‘track marks’.
• You can decrease the number of rolling in one direction based on your skin’s sensitivity and pain tolerance level.
• After derma rolling your skin, you must not treat it with chemical exfoliating agents or other skincare products containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, tretinoin, etc.
• Never treat your skin more than twice a week and give it enough time to heal before undergoing another session.

References –

1. “Microneedling: Collagen Induction Therapy” – healthline.com
2. “What Is Dermarolling, and Is It Safe for My Skin?” –  marieclaire.com
3. “How do dermarollers work?” – medicalnewstoday.com
4. “Microneedling with Dermaroller” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov