Derma rolling is the skin care procedure that involves using a derma rolling tool to rejuvenate the skin. At one end of a derma roller is handle to gently guide the device, while the other end is a small surface covered in fine needles.
The derma roller is lightly guided over the face to create micro-channels, or tiny holes, that begin rejuvenating the skin and preparing it for greater product absorption, without disrupting its natural barrier.
As a fairly new skin care treatment, it wasn’t mentioned in a scientific study until 2005! However, its popularity continues to grow today, due to its impressive results.
Derma rolling, also known as microneedling or collagen induction therapy, may seem like an intimidating skin care procedure to perform on yourself at-home, but it’s doable… and encouraged with the right needle length (even if you aren’t a professional!)
That being said, derma rolling is to be taken seriously and done carefully, as if you are in the hands of a professional. Despite the mental thought, little needles rolling over your skin isn’t painful when done correctly, but without your full attention or proper education, it may yield an unpleasant experience.
Follow this derma rolling guide for insight on whether it’s right for you!
What are the effects of derma rolling?
Derma rolling has been scientifically proven to:
Stimulate collagen & elastic production
Reduce acne scarring
Decrease skin discoloration
Boost product absorption
Improving skin texture
What are important things to consider before, during, and after at-home derma rolling?
One of the most important things you can consider when contemplating derma rolling at home is to not purchase or use a derma roller with a needle length over .5 mm. Leave the longer lengths that more deeply penetrate the skin to the professionals!
During your derma rolling sesh, tread with caution and be gentle with your motions. Keep your focus and remember that you do indeed have tiny needles in your hand!
After derma rolling and applying your skin care product(s,) immediately run the derma roller under hot water, douse your derma roller with isopropyl alcohol, and let it sit.
After the alcohol has taken care of any unwanted bacteria, dead skin, sebum, etc., do a final rinse with hot water before securing your derma roller in a safe place. Never, ever skip this step! The last thing you need is an infection.
You should be wearing an SPF daily, but be sure to coat your skin with SPF and spoil your skin with restorative products for the days and weeks to follow the derma rolling. They don’t say it for nothin’… Consistency is key!
Post-derma rolling for a few days, those with extra sensitive skin should be wary of how their skin reacts to environments that may cause sweating, such as gyms, saunas, jacuzzis, and swimming pools.
What can you expect from derma rolling?
How “uncomfortable” the procedure is depends on how sensitive your skin is and the needle length. Assuming you’re a beginner with sensitive skin, opt for using a .3 mm needle and work your way to a .5 mm, if you feel the need.
You want your skin to appear red and flushed by the end of the treatment, but it shouldn’t be painful. There most definitely should not be blood with an at-home treatment either!
In the event your skin begins feeling irritated, immediately stop the treatment and apply a soothing moisturizer or facial oil.
Afterwards, because your skin has just been lightly punctured, product can more deeply penetrate. It has been shown that microneedling increases product absorption by 80%, due to the face having microscopic wounds to penetrate.
In months to come, your collagen and elastic production behind-the-scenes will continue to surge and hence, improve the appearance of your skin.
The effects of derma rolling can be addicting because of it noticeably enhancing the skin. Word of advice though: nothing overdone is a good thing for the skin.
Listen to your skin and plan to derma roll once a week to begin with.
If your skin can handle it, try derma rolling two to three times a week, but no more than this.
Who shouldn’t receive a derma rolling treatment?
While microneedling is safe for all skin types and is a reputable procedure, certain people should avoid the it altogether. As mentioned in what to be avoided when derma rolling, those with active acne, warts, cold sores, sunburn, eczema, psoriasis, or any other skin conditions that are painful to the touch and require healing.
Additionally, those inclined to serious scarring and immunosuppressed individuals should not receive a derma rolling treatment.
You would think those with rosacea wouldn’t benefit from derma rolling, however there is some research that supports micro needling can decrease inflammation without irritating the skin, due to a lack of physical exfoliation.
Each case is different!
Presuming you have rosacea, a skin disease, or condition, please seek out a professional before trying anything at-home or in a clinical setting.
What to avoid when derma rolling?
When derma rolling, there are certain things to ensure you avoid including:
Roll over active acne, warts, cold sores, sunburn, eczema, psoriasis (any skin condition that can be spread to other parts of the face or needs to be left alone to heal)
Over-roll one section of the skin
Roll too quickly/harshly
Forget to lift the derma roller between spots
Forget to disinfect the derma roller
Derma roll longer than 5 minutes
Derma roll more than 3x per week
Exfoliating after the procedure (wait a week to allow your skin to do its thing and fully recover)
Watch this video to learn how to safely and effectively use a derma roller at-home on your skin!
What are your thoughts? Have you ever tried derma rolling? Would you?
If you’re a candidate, rather than spending hundreds of dollars in a spa for a professional microneedling treatment, first try it out at-home to see whether you can independently heal or better your skin!
xo, SK <3
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