Microneedling has received a lot of buzz in the skincare world the last few years, and rightly so! If you are curious what microneedling is, how it can help your skin and some dos and don’ts when buying and using a derma roller, this guide is for you.
First thing’s first: microneedling is typically performed using a derma roller, either by a trained esthetician or dermatologist, or at home. A derma roller is a handheld tool with tiny little needles on a drum-like roller. The needles create little micro-injuries that stimulate blood flow and collagen production, triggering skin renewal. It also helps with skincare product efficiency and efficacy.
Does it have to be painful to work?
No. You may have some mild discomfort, depending on how sensitive your skin is, but it shouldn’t be painful. The longer the needle, the more it may hurt.
Will there be blood?
No. The needles are very small and the rolling is very light; the at-home tools for microneedling should not create wounds with blood. Professionals have tools that are stronger, deeper, and may cause wounds for deeper skin issues like scarring and deep pigmentation.
Is it true the longer the needle the better?
No. The derma roller lengths for the face should never be greater than 1.0mm. In fact, I recommend 0.25mm, 0.5mm and 0.75mm for at-home use on the face. The thinner the skin area, the shorter the needle needs to be.
Will I see results overnight?
No. Micro-needling is a process that patience is essential for. Continuous use is needed for results. There are no quick fixes when it comes to our skin.
Can I use a derma roller daily?
No. The needle length will determine how often you use one. The smaller the needle, the more often it can be used. 0.25mm may be used every other day on the skin, whereas a 1.0mm may only be used every other week. It all depends on your skin sensitivity and how quickly your skin recovers.
Will skin be red after use?
Possibly. Skin usually is pink immediately following use, but prolonged redness and skin irritation is not normal and you should stop using your derma roller if this occurs.
The more rolling the better, right?
Wrong. Over rolling is dangerous and can cause inflammation. Roll over an area 2-3 times maximum and move onto another section of the face.
Can I share my derma roller with a friend?
No. Never. Nope.
The Basics of Using a Derma Roller
- The pressure used to roll the derma roller should only be enough to glide it over your skin.
- Always apply to clean skin.
- Follow use with a serum. Be aware some serums may sting or tingle after rolling because you have opened up the skin to receive the serum quicker and stronger. Definitely be mindful of the products you are using immediately following a treatment.
- Clean your derma roller after each and every use by dipping it in rubbing alcohol. Don’t leave a derma roller out in a bathroom where it can be susceptible to bacteria; a covered container is preferred.
- Use good quality products. The derma roller will only work as well as the skincare products you are using, be sure to invest in good quality serums and oils to reap the most benefits.
- And don’t buy the cheapest derma roller you can find either–many are poor quality and could injure the skin. Stacked Skincare and ORA rollers are both reputable brands that won’t break the bank.
I have mild sebaceous hyperplasia on my forehead. Do you think this would help reduce or heal it?
I just started using mine! Honestly, this is not BS, I noticed smoother skin the next morning. But! Fair warning, I thought this was something I could use every night. Well, it turns out after day 2 my skin started shedding like crazy! It was so flaky I had to bring in my microdermabrasion machine to help smooth it out. So, lesson learned, now I use it every other day and still see results.
Thank you for this article! This was actually the post that made me finally buy a dermaroller. I’m loving the results so far. But, I have a big event coming up and I have decided to give microneedling a go! My derm says I can still use my derma roller at home after treatment to keep up in between sessions. Very excited about those results.
Great post! I just recently heard out about derma rollers and I found them intriguing but I was a little nervous about trying it out because I am not a huge fan of needles. Haha! But after reading this I think I will take the plunge after all. I have seen some pretty amazing before and after photos online so with regular use it does seem to work wonders. :)
Interesting article. I’ve been dermarolling for several years now and while I can’t say I’ve seen an “improvement”, I also don’t see many signs of aging (yay!). However, I was always told you should allow 4-6 weeks between sessions if you are using a roller of 1.0 mm or more, so as to allow the collagen to build and repair. Anything less and you risk damaging your newly developing collagen fibers. You can use the .25 rollers more frequently to help serums penetrate more deeply, but they won’t hit deep enough to actually create the micro-traumas that cause the collagen building. Also, a copper peptide and or vitamin C serum after is supposed to help build collagen.