Derma Roller: A Complete Guide to Microneedling at Home

Looking at Jennifer Aniston, the 51-year-old evergreen beauty, you may wonder how her skin still looks so youthful.

Guess what? She revealed in an interview that she absolutely loves microneedling. Just like many other celebrities, dermarolling has helped her achieve glowing, age-defying skin. It makes you wonder if it's worth giving it a try, right?

So if that's what you're here for, you're at the right place. This article discusses everything about using Derma Rollers for microneedling at home: why it's beneficial, how to choose the right product, do's and don'ts, and much more. Read on!

What is a Derma Roller, and How Does it Work?

At first sight, Derma Rollers look like something you'd use in the kitchen. While they may look scary, they actually benefit you a ton and are not that painful.

Derma Rollers are small, handheld devices used for microneedling at home. The process involves puncturing the skin with tiny needles, causing micro-injuries on the surface. To heal these injuries, your body produces a protein, collagen, which is deposited in the injured area. This protein increases the skin's elasticity and firmness.

Since you make hundreds of these minute injuries on one area at a time, tons of collagen is deposited. A study even concluded that microneedling for a month increases collagen up to 400%.

Hence, dermarolling stimulates your skin's growth and rejuvenation as a result of your body's natural response. It is also an effective way for your skincare products to get absorbed better. However, only if you have the quality and right derma roller for your skin, like DermRollers.

Is Dermarolling at home Safe?

A lot of people are skeptical about microneedling, and we understand why. Needles on the skin are a scary combo. However, it's important to remember the term 'micro' when you think about the 'injuries' caused by microneedling.

The needles are one mm or less in length, but they can only work for your face. If you want to try other areas like thighs or hips, it’s better to go for needles more than one mm.

These injuries are superficial and don't cause actual damage to your skin. They are, in fact, pretty beneficial (discussed below). If you follow all the instructions that you can find in this step by step guide, dermarolling at home is safe and effective, which is also proven by studies.

Keep in mind, though, that if you have active acne or an actual infection on your skin, you'll only spread the bacteria all over your face or body if you use this device. Hence, avoid microneedling on areas with acne/eczema or irritated places with sunburn/rashes.

Finally, don’t forget to choose a good quality dermaroller! No need to say that you should go for a solid one that won’t break while you’re using it. DermRollers is 100% safe with its medical grade titanium microneedles! Have we mentioned that DermRollers is the number one microneedling roller in many countries like Australia?

Why Should You Use Derma Rollers?

If you don't have active acne or irritated skin, Derma Rollers can do wonders for you. Here's why:

Reduces Wrinkles

Since puncturing the skin stimulates collagen production, it will help fill in wrinkles and plump up the skin. You can use this for wrinkles anywhere on the face, even on your Crow's Feet (wrinkles around the eyes).

Reduces Scars and Stretch Marks

Those stretch marks and scars that make you feel body conscious? Derma Rollers can help reduce them with continued use. How? The godsent collagen will eventually repair the scar tissues. It can also reduce stretch marks on areas such as the legs and thighs.

However, don't expect dramatic results too soon - it takes time for visible results to appear.

Reduce Acne Scars Appearance

Dermarolling does miracles for acne scars and for smoothing your skin in general. Same principle with the collagen that’s created by the needles.

You can actually use microneedling at home for many skin issues (large pores, burn scars, sagging skin…). For the best results, use needle sizes of 0.5 mm to 1 mm, all available on DermRollers.

Hyperpigmentation

Using a Derma Roller can help lighten darkened areas on your face caused by melasma, sun spots, or breakouts. This is especially the case if you pair the treatment with hydrating and brightening serums.

Derma Roller for Hair Regrowth

Derma Rollers are very efficient for hair regrowth! You can find Derma Rollers available in different needle sizes on DermRollers that are just the right fit for hair growth. You can choose 0.25 mm, 0.3 mm, and 0.5 mm needle sizes that work best if you want to regrow your hair.

By helping to induce stem cells in the hair follicles, your derma roller can regrow your hair. Moreover, it’ll strongly help with the absorption of the product you use for your hair loss treatment.

Helps With Your Daily Skincare Absorption

Simply slathering expensive serums on your face isn't very effective. You want maximum results, which Derma Rollers can give you.

Through microneedling, you're puncturing your skin with small needles and making way for any product to get absorbed deeper and more effectively. However, you can't use every serum or solution when dermarolling (more on that later).

A Quick and Easy Process

Derma Rolling sounds like a very complicated process, but it isn't. Usually, it takes only a few minutes to cover your face or one area of your body.

Plus, all you really have to do is roll the device over one area in a specific way several times. Apply a serum or a medicated product afterward, and you're good to go.

Affordable

The best thing about Dermarolling is that anyone can do it at home. You won't have to make costly appointments to the dermatologist, and neither are these rollers too expensive. For most brands, they're reasonably priced.

Buying a Derma Roller

It pays to do some research about the type of Derma Roller you're going to invest in. After all, microneedling is a serious deal. Below, we've listed down the things you should keep in mind before purchasing one:

1- Needle Size

When picking a Derma Roller, make sure you're buying the correct needle size. They come in a variety of sizes, varying between 0.20 to 3 mm.

Sizes smaller than 1 mm should be used on thinner skin, like the face. If you use needles bigger than 1 mm, it can be too harsh for the skin to handle.

For legs, thighs, and hips, we suggest 1 to 3 mm - the thicker the body part, the longer the needle. For instance, 2.5 to 3 mm is good for fatty areas like the hips.

2- Needle Type

Derma Rollers should have sharp and thin needles, especially if you're using it on delicate areas, like on the face. If the needles are blunt or too thick, the device can cause injury to the skin. Plus, the needles need to stay rust-free as well.

For these reasons, titanium needles are the champs of microneedling. They're ultra-sharp, strong, and resistant to rust. Stainless steel needles are a viable option, too, as they're sterile and safe.

3- Handle

Your roller's handle should provide you with some grip, so it doesn't slip and hurt you while you're using it. Also, the handle needs to be long enough for you to hold in your hand comfortably.

How to Microneedling at Home Safely?

Derma Rollers might sound like the Holy grail of skincare, which they are for most people, but they can cause irritation and damage if used incorrectly. You want smooth skin, not sore.

Here's what you need to do every time you're dermarolling at home:

Step 1: Disinfect Your Roller

Soak the Derma Roller into 70% isopropyl alcohol for 5-10 minutes, at least. This will eliminate any bacteria and germs that accumulated on the needles when you stored it away. After this, wipe the alcohol off. Here is a complete guide to cleaning your derma roller.

Step 2: Clean Your Skin

Prepare your skin by washing it with an antibacterial face wash. This helps get rid of oils and dirt.

Step 3: Apply a Skincare Product

Before you roll the device over your skin, apply your favorite serum, so the product goes deeper than usual and gets absorbed better. Some prefer to apply the skin serum afterward, this is up at your own convenience!

Step 4: Start Rolling

Gently roll the device up and down over one area, like your cheek, several times. After this, roll it horizontally and diagonally in the same area the same number of times.

Make sure not to move it side to side in a dragging motion. The blade should roll naturally and smoothly on your skin.

Also, don't overdo it - five to ten rounds in one direction is enough. Follow these steps carefully and without applying force.

Step 5: Wash Your Face

If there's any bleeding, wash your face with water. After this, you can apply hydrating serums to wrap up.

Step 6: Clean and Store the Roller

Wash your roller with soap and water to rinse away any blood or skin products. Next, for sterilization, soak it in alcohol and then store it away safely.

What Products Should I Use?

The key to glowy skin using a Derma Roller is to pair it with topical serums or solutions. This maximizes the absorption and effectiveness of the skincare product. But using the wrong stuff can make your skin irritated and damage it further. Here's a quick guide that covers which serums are good to use with Derma Rollers:

Hydrating Serums

Often, after microneedling, the skin is thirsty for moisture. Hence, it's a good idea to apply hydrating serums before dermarolling at home. We recommend hyaluronic acid in particular, as it's super hydrating and helps even out textured skin.

Soothing Serums

Most people experience redness after dermarolling - it's just how it works. Using soothing serums that reduce redness and irritation can help with the after-effects of the treatment. Consider serums infused with herbal goodness, such as tea tree extract.

Peptides

This kind of serum involves proteins that help plump up your skin. They're the key to making your skin firm and elastic. Some anti-aging serums also contain peptides, so it's a good idea to apply these before dermarolling to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

You can also apply under-eye serums while microneedling the eye area.

Vitamin C

Using vitamin C before or after dermarolling is debatable. Some prefer these serums, while others don't, and strongly advise against it. Generally, though, you should avoid vitamin C serums during dermarolling if you have sensitive skin.

However, if you suffer from hyperpigmentation and your skin can handle vitamin C well, you can use it to maximize absorption.

What Should I Avoid?

If you have sensitive skin, avoid any serum with harsh chemicals and acids, including fragrances.

Secondly, try not to use retinol, even though it's known to boost collagen. Some ingredients aren't meant to go as deep as microneedling would take them, which might cause inflammation and irritation.

Also, avoid using serums with AHAs and BHAs after treatment, as this might also severely irritate the skin.

What Are the Results and Side Effects?

The immediate after-effects of the treatment include redness and mild pain. You may also see slight bleeding, but don't worry! Bleeding is okay, as long as it's minimal.

But what's not okay is swelling, intense pain, and bruising. These signs show that you overdid it or used the wrong needle size. Another common side effect is irritation and itching. This happens when you use very chemical-ly serums.

When done right, you can expect glowy, radiant, and tight skin as quickly as within 24 hours, after the redness fades away. For reducing wrinkles and fine lines, it takes longer for visible results to appear - between 6 to 12 weeks.

Precautions

When using a Derma Roller, DON'T:

Expose yourself to the sun for too long, especially three days before the treatment
Expose yourself to the sun 24 hours after the treatment
Use comedogenic serums or oils during or after dermarolling at home
Use cleansers or products with harsh chemicals
Go over one area too many times
Apply too much force or pressure
Use the roller on raised scars such as keloids

When using a Derma Roller, DO:

Hydrate and soothe your skin with water-based serums
Wear sunscreen after treatment
Sanitize your hands and the device before use
Consult your dermatologist before use if you suffer from any skin condition

FAQs

Below, we answer more questions that may be buzzing in your head regarding microneedling:

Should I Expect to Bleed Every Time?

With small needle sizes, such as 0.5 mm, you shouldn't bleed, though bleeding is common with sizes above 1 mm. However, it isn't necessary - the device is doing its thing even if you don't bleed.

How Painful Is Dermarolling?

Microneedling at home isn't painful, and when it is, it's usually tolerable. If you have a lower tolerance to pain, use numbing creams before rolling, especially with sizes above 1 mm.

Can I Wear Makeup to Cover the Redness?

Yes, but not immediately. Wait 24 hours before applying any makeup, as your skin has tiny open wounds that are healing.

When Should I Replace the Roller?

Needle sizes 1 mm or less should last you 15 treatments or so. Bigger sizes should be replaced every three to four sessions - you wouldn’t want to use blunt needles.

How Often Should I Use It?

Sizes as small as 0.20 can be used every other day, and 0.5 can be used once in two weeks or even weekly (if your skin isn't sensitive). Wait 4 to 6 weeks before using any size bigger than 1 mm.

Can People With Acne Use Derma Rollers?

Even though derma rollers are good for acne scars, it shouldn’t be used on areas with active acne.

Final Words

Microneedling at home can unlock new levels of skin repair and improvement if you are doing it right. Just be sure to take precautions, follow the recommended steps, and ensure that your skin is safe and ready. After this, you're good to go and glow.

Tags: Dermaroller Microneedling at home

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