How to use a dermaroller: Uses, tips, and how they work

Key takeaways

• Dermarollers use tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, triggering the body’s natural wound healing response and boosting collagen production.
• This microneedling technique can address various skin concerns including facial scars, fine lines, and wrinkles. It may help improve skin texture and firmness as new collagen deposits form in treated areas.
• Home dermarollers have needles shorter than 0.15 millimeters (mm). A person should avoid using them on areas with active skin conditions such as eczema, sunburn, or rosacea.

Dermarolling, or microneedling, is a process that was originally carried out by a dermatologist. Nowadays, some people perform the technique at home with little training.

Dermarolling has gained popularity in recent years as an accessible, effective, and relatively non-invasive skin treatment.

This article explores how dermarollers work and how to use a dermaroller. It also offers tips for getting the best results.

When a person rolls the dermaroller over their skin, the small, fine needles on the roller puncture the skin.

The holes that the needles create in the skin are tiny and considered to be superficial. For this reason, the treatment is not invasive.

When the dermaroller punctures the skin, it creates a controlled skin injury. It does not cause actual damage to the outer layer of skin. The needles help to break down any scar tissue.

The controlled injuries to the skin lead to superficial bleeding. This triggers the body’s wound healing response, and the following occurs:

• The skin releases substances that stimulate growth.
• New blood vessels form in the skin.
• The skin starts to make more collagen.

The collagen produced by the body is deposited in the area of treated skin. This helps the skin to become firmer and may reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles.

Research has found that skin treated with four microneedling sessions, 1 month apart, could lead to a

Dermarolling was originally used by dermatologists as a way of boosting collagen production for treating facial scars and skin rejuvenation.

In addition, it has gained popularity as a home treatment to improve the appearance of the skin. Many people use it to try to combat the signs of aging, such as:

• loss of skin firmness
• appearance of fine lines
• start of wrinkles

Some people also use it to try to reduce pore size or reduce the production of an oil called sebum if their skin is oily.

Others try dermarollers to try to improve the appearance of stretch marks.

If using a dermaroller at home, a person should follow the steps described here:

• Remove the dermaroller from its container.
• Spray it with an alcohol solution and wash with warm water to sterilize.
• Prepare the skin for treatment with an antiseptic or saline wash.
• Hold the skin taught and roll over each section, once up and down, once side to side, and once diagonally.
• Bathe the skin with saline after the skin has reddened or become discolored.
• Spray the dermaroller with an alcohol solution and wash with warm water to sterilize.
• Leave the dermaroller to dry.
• Put it back in the storage case.

When using the dermaroller on the face, a person should treat five sections of the face in turn. These sections are:

• top right of forehead and cheek
• top left of forehead and cheek
• right under eye and lower cheek
• left under eye and lower cheek
• around the mouth

After using the dermaroller, a person can apply serums or moisturizers to their skin. The treatment is often suitable as a delivery system to maximize the effects of these lotions.

A person

• have a history of blood-clotting problems
• take blood thinners
• have conditions affecting the skin, such as eczema, sunburn, or cold sores.

It is also best to avoid any area of skin where there are moles, skin inflammation, or rosacea.

Trying the following tips and best practices may help to improve a person’s dermarolling results:

• Take vitamin A and C supplements in at least the month before treatment to boost collagen production.
• Apply skin serums or anti-aging moisturizers after treatment
• Use sunscreen in the days after use, as skin could burn more easily than usual.
• Repeat treatment two or three times a week.
• Keep the dermaroller away from areas immediately around the eyes.
• Never share the device with another person.

As dermarolling involves needles that pierce the skin, using equipment that is not well made is a health risk.

When selecting a dermaroller online or in the store, it is essential to buy from a trusted retailer.

There are different medical dermarollers available for other uses by dermatologists. These have varying needle lengths. These devices are not available to the public, however, and may be dangerous to use at home.

Home care dermarollers have a needle length of less than 0.15 mm.

Dermarolling is also known as microneedling. Home dermarollers are very similar to the ones that dermatologists use but have smaller needles.

Using a dermaroller at home may be a safe, simple, and cheap treatment for treating acne scarring, stretch marks, fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of skin firmness.

It is best to speak with a dermatologist or other healthcare professional before using a dermaroller. It may not be suitable in some cases, such as if a person takes blood thinners or has a condition affecting blood clotting.

If a person wants to try dermarolling, they should purchase a dermaroller from a trusted retailer.