What is a dermaroller?
A dermaroller is a skin needling device with many small surgical needles. Dermarollers come in needle lengths between 0.13 and 3 mm. We have four sizes; 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm and 2.5mm. The needle diameter (thickness) is approximately 0.25 mm at their base.
The dermarolling principle
Dermarolling remolds the skin by creating thousands of microscopic channels through the skin, increasing the formation of new tissue by activating the body’s wound healing cascade (hemostasis-inflammation-proliferation-tissue remodeling). The micro-channeling causes the release of growth factors that promote scar-less healing and the deposition of normal woven collagen rather than scar collagen. The fibroblasts are responsible for collagen production. The exact mechanism how this happens is complex and not yet completely understood. New collagen and elastin forms. In one study, twenty blinded biopsies taken from 10 different patients from various parts of their body demonstrated an average increase in new fibers of 206%, in one biopsy a 1000% increase was recorded.
What microneedling can do for you and what needle length do you need?
Enhance the penetration of skin care or hair growth products: Maximum 0.3 mm needle length on the face and 0.5 mm on skin on the rest of the body. Our skin – a protective organ – is almost unpermeable. Dermarolling temporarily enables the absorption of skin care products into the skin.
Fine wrinkles: 1 to 1.5 mm needle length. This is a relatively minor procedure and can be done safely at home, provided you disinfect properly. Dermarolling is a safe alternative for people with skin too thin to have laser treatment.
Loose skin: 1.5 mm. You can improve loose skin anywhere on the body including the neck, the back of the hands, arms, abdomen, thighs etc. In the early stages of skin laxity, it can postpone or even replace a facelift. Sensitive areas with thin skin such as the neck need only 0.5 mm.
Sun damaged or aging skin: 1.0 to 1,5 mm.
Uneven pigmentation or acne spots: 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm (not to be used on moles!).
Scars: All scar treatment requires a dermaroller with 1.5 mm needles.
Stretchmarks: Become less indented, less wide and the original skin color may be partially restored.
Acne scarring: Become less indented.
With deep acne scars, 1.5 mm is often not enough and 2.5 mm is required, but this is impossible to do safely at home with a dermaroller.
Surgical or atrophic scars: (Not keloid scars) – will soften and the original skin color may be partially restored.
How to clean a dermaroller
Wash the dermaroller in warm water and dishwashing liquid, taking care not to damage the needles. Then soak it in disinfecting alcohol for 20 minutes. Discard the alcohol. Air- dry. Put back into container. Keep the container clean with hot water but do not use any cloth or sponge to clean it since those are full of bacteria.
How often to roll the skin?
- 0.2 or 0.25 mm long needles can be used every second day on the same skin area.
- 0.5 mm long needles can be used once or twice per week on the same skin area.
- 1 mm can be used every two weeks on the same skin area.
- 1.5 mm can only be used once every three to four weeks on the same skin area.
- 2.0 mm can only be used once every five weeks on the same skin area, and only if you have the knowledge to judge which part of the skin is thick enough to safely use this needle length.