Do you have any of the following skin problems? Fine lines, dark spots, breakouts or uneven texture? The solution to all of these issues is a derma roller. Derma rollers are an efficacious beauty tool that can address many different skin concerns. It can boost cell turnover, reduce fine lines and dark spots and even help to clear up breakouts. Derma rollers work by creating micro channels in the outer layer of the skin that may help improve product absorption and their subsequent benefits. In this blog post we will discuss what a derma roller is, why they are beneficial and how to use them for best results!

 

What exactly is a derma roller?
A derma roller is a micro-needling device designed for home care that has many tiny needles attached to it. The benefits lie in the fact that when you roll them over your skin, these needles create thousands of microscopic punctures which causes your skincare products to sink into the skin more easily and cell turnover to increase dramatically. The skin’s barrier function is  a complex architecture of skin cell cohesion, oil and water, similar in structure to the bricks and mortar effect of a wall that prevents substances passing through it. The skins barrier helps prevent unwanted substances getting into the body but also presents challenges to the transport of some skincare products that we do want passing through it. Derma rollers are the answer, allowing the passage of serums applied at the same time to be absorbed superficially where they go to work on improving the skin. We recommend using a derma roller 0.25mm because the needles are long enough to pierce the skin safely without causing discomfort.

 

Derma Rolling – Your Skincare Saviour

There are many benefits of using a derma roller. Some of the top reasons include:

• Reduced Fine Lines – As we age, our collagen production slows down which can cause fine lines and wrinkles on the skin. When you regularly use a derma roller it allows your anti ageing serums to sink in and work in the skin, boosting collagen and elastin production which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

• Boosted Collagen Production – Derma rollers can also help those with acne scars as they boost the body’s natural collagen production when used with a serum such as Vitamin C or Vitamin A. This can also reduce dark spots and give your skin an even texture too!

• Increase the effectiveness of serums – Serums work by penetrating deep into the skin to hydrate and rejuvenate. However, when you apply them after using a derma roller they can absorb deeper because of all those micro-punctures that have been created!  We recommend using our Vitamin C Serum to give you all the benefits of a derma roller treatment on your skin!

• Reduce Acne Scars – Micro-needling helps with collagen production which is essential to reduce the appearance of acne scars. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation and redness caused by scarring, leaving you with smooth, even looking skin. When you use a derma roller with your serum designed to boost collagen synthesis, you are creating the ideal environment to help improve the appearance of scarring.

• Increased Product Absorption – Derma rollers can also help with the absorption of your moisturisers and serums. This is because all those micro-punctures allow for better penetration of products which means you get maximum results from every product that you apply to your skin!

• Reduce hyper pigmentation – Hyperpigmentation is caused by melanin overproduction in certain areas of the skin. A derma roller can help to improve skin tone because it removes dead/damaged cells from the surface of your skin which are usually where hyperpigmentation occurs.

• Boosted cell turnover – This means that when you use a derma roller, instead of making new cells in 30 days , they will be replaced in only two or three days. This means your skin is always fresh and rejuvenated!    

 

Derma Rollers and Skin Types: What You Need to Know

Derma rollers are great for all skin types. If you have sensitive skin, you need to make sure that you use a derma roller that has needles no longer than 0.25mm at home. If your skin is more on the dry side then we also advise using a smaller needle size because it won’t damage the top layer of skin which means there’s less chance of causing irritation or redness to sensitive areas such as around the eyes.  Derma rollers can be used for all areas of the face . You can use it very gently around the eyes, on your forehead and cheeks. As long as you choose a derma roller with 0.25 needles then there’s no problem to use it everywhere! If you want to experiment with greater needle depths for deeper scarring, pigment conditions such as melasma or deeper lines and wrinkles we recommend visiting a skin clinic for micro-needling with a trained professional. You can find a list of locations for professional micro-needling here.

 

Derma Roller for Acne Scars, Stretch Marks and Wrinkles
A derma roller can be a great tool for treating acne scars, stretch marks and wrinkles at home. If you choose to use your derma roller on those areas it’s important that you only buy one with needles up to  0.25mm in length as this will be likely to cause less damage to the skin, and are safer to use at home. It is important to buy a good quality roller with medical grade stainless steel needles for safety, and always be sure to sanitise your roller properly with 70% Isopropyl alcohol before use.. Use gentle pressure when using your medical grade needle derma roller over your acne scars, stretch marks or wrinkles so that you don’t cause any stress to the skin. 

 

Microneedle Derma Roller 101: How to use a derma roller?

 

To get the most out of your beauty tool, it is important to follow these steps:

1. Cleanse your face and pat it dry with a clean towel. You can also use an anti-bacterial cleanser which is great for acne prone skin too!
2. Use the derma rollers in small sections, about one inch at a time. Roll gently back and forth for maximum effectiveness
3. Do not use over open wounds or over active acne or infected areas of the skin
4. Apply skincare products after rolling (serum, moisturiser, etc.)
5. Rinse your derma roller under warm running water straight  after use. Then spray  your derma roller with 70% Isopropyl alcohol after each use and store it in a closed container safely.  

Apply sunscreen before going out into the sun! This is essential as you want to protect your skin from photo damage which can lead to premature skin aging. The sun can also cause your skin to discolour, so it is important that you protect yourself from the harmful UV rays.

You can use a derma roller 0.25mm in needle depth about 3 times a week. You’ll need to replace your roller around every 6-8 weeks depending on your skin to ensure you are using a roller that doesn’t have blunt needles.

Tips on Choosing the Right Derma Roller

When investing in home derma rollers there are a few things to keep in mind. Make sure that your derma roller has stainless steel needles, this gives it maximum strength and the ability to puncture skin without breaking.

 

1. Use a Microneedle Derma Roller
When derma rolling at home it’s important to not use derma rollers with needles over 0.25mm otherwise it may be unsafe and could damage your skin instead. Using a smaller needle will give you better results as it can penetrate through the skin easier and more effectively. We strongly recommend only using home derma rollers that are 0.25mm or less as it will give you better results and is safe to use on your skin

 

2. Only use surgical grade stainless steel needles
Surgical grade stainless steel needles are the only type of needles that can be safely used in derma rollers, any other material could cause injury to your skin.

 

3. Be careful, not all derma roller brands are safe!
While there are some great brands out there on the market, you need to make sure you choose a reputable company because not all dermas rollers are created equal. Some are made with cheap materials which can not only damage your skin, but also give you poor results in the long run. We recommend using a home derma roller that uses surgical grade stainless steel needles and has an ergonomic design to make it easy for users of all different skill types, even the most sensitive skin. Make sure you buy your derma roller from a reputable brand (such as Aesthetics Rx) and make sure it is made of surgical grade stainless steel. This will ensure that the needles are strong enough to penetrate through tough skin without breaking or bending when derma rolling.

 

FAQ’s: 

How often should I use my home derma roller? Using a derma roller at home can be great for skin rejuvenation, but it’s important to keep in mind that the more you use your derma roller the higher chance there is of injuring or damaging your skin. Be careful not to use pressure when rolling. Let your roller do the work itself; if you find you need to use pressure, your roller may be blunt, in which case you need to replace it. They last approximately 6 weeks if you are using it around 3 times each week. It’s best to only use a medical grade stainless steel needle no more than once or twice each week and slowly work up to a maximum of around three times a week.