Overview | What is a dermaroller? | Benefits | Treatment procedure | Expected results
Today, I am going to discuss a topic that a lot of my patients have asked me questions on. This is the concept of dermarollers for skincare treatment. I will give you an overview of what a derma roller is and then proceed to answer some frequently asked questions about this device.
What is a dermaroller?
A derma roller is a device that has microneedles at its top-end. It is handheld. The needles may be as small as 0.25mm. The device is rolled over the skin area to create very minute punctures, which encourage the skin to heal better and improve its overall appearance. The National Center for Biotechnology Information notes that these punctures cause very minimal damage to the skin’s epidermis, so there is really nothing to worry about.
This might sound a bit scary but let me assure you that it is not. Derma rollers are technical marvels and the treatment has minimal discomfort. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons notes that microneedling can lead to minor redness and burning, which is normal and resolves itself quickly. Personally, I always let my patients know what to expect before heading in for the treatment.
There are many different derma rollers available in the market that you can purchase. However, I do recommend that you head over to a dermatologist to get the treatment ideal for your skin.
What are the benefits of the treatment?
I will now enumerate the many advantages of derma roller treatments that you should be aware of.
- Treats premature aging – One of the main benefits of derma roller treatments can be seen in the excellent results delivered when treating the signs of premature aging. Derma rollers help to increase elastin and collagen and give the skin a youthful appearance. Harvard Health notes that collagen and elastin are what give your skin its youthful vitality.
- Reduces the size of pores – One major side-effect of acne is the development of large pores. Microneedling with a derma roller can help reduce the size of these pores.
- Suited to a wide range of skin problems – The derma roller can be used on a wide range of skin issues including hyperpigmented and dehydrated skin. Even acne-prone skin can be treated. New techniques see derma rollers being used for stretch marks too post-pregnancy.
- Comes at an affordable cost – As any dermatologist will tell you, derma roller treatments are among the most cost-effective skin treatments you can opt for. For instance, they are definitely cheaper than laser surgery.
Procedure of Dermaroller Treatment
Let’s take a look at what happens in the process of dermaroller treatments.
- Area to be treated washed with a cleansing solution.
- Derma roller is applied over the area to be treated.
- Area around the eyes is completely avoided.
- Area may be treated with only a dermaroller of 0.25 mm depth.
- After treatment, the dermatologist will cleanse your skin.
- Make sure to follow the dermatologist’s advice in order to get the best results from your derma roller treatments.
What are the different depths of dermarollers and the benefits of each depth?
Every derma roller device is not the same. The needles are of varying depths in order to target different skin conditions. Your dermatologist will make the right choice when it comes to picking out the right dermaroller for your skin.
The skin on your face and body may feel soft, yet the skin is not of even thickness. For instance, the skin on your face and neck is much thinner than the skin on your back. The skin surface determines the thickness of the derma roller needle. So, the skin on your back would need a longer needle than the skin on your face.
Here is a quick look at the different lengths of needles and what each one is suited to.
- Skin problems like fine lines and wrinkles and open pores can be treated safely by a derma roller needle of 0.5 mm.
- Fine lines can also be treated with 0.25mm dermaroller needles
- Open pores may need a needle size of 1.0mm for effective treatment in some cases
- Acne scars and pigmentation marks can be treated with needle sizes that may vary among 0.5mm, 0.75mm, and 1.0mm
- Cellulite and stretch marks need very different needles that can include 1.0mm, 1.5mm, and 2.0mm
- Deep scars need bigger needles that can include 1.5mm, 2.0mm, and 2.5mm
Choosing a needle is something that requires a lot of consideration and thought. This is because each type of needle causes a different level of puncture in the skin. For example, 0.25mm needles do not result in collagen regeneration. These needles only help improve the absorption of products as part of a skin treatment routine. The 0.5mm needles may lead to minor bleeding and these can result in a certain level of collagen stimulation. The bigger needles of 0.75mm and 1.0mm can result in moderate bleeding. These are used to treat bigger problems like acne scars and can have a longer downtime. Finally, any needles above 1.5mm can cause more than average bleeding and these are only recommended for severe scarring.
Seeing as a single type of skin problem may need a different needle in each case, it is always best to let your dermatologist choose the best needle suited to your severity of skin problems. In case you want to do derma roller treatments on your own, I always recommend going for the smaller needle size to avoid injuring your skin. The ideal size would be around 0.5mm, to begin with, as it is sufficient to encourage collagen production on the skin.
What is the importance of choosing a good quality dermaroller?
Like with any other beauty device, I always recommend the use of derma rollers of the highest quality. This is because you are using this device on the soft skin of your face and body. An inferior-grade derma roller can actually cause damage to the skin instead of healing it. This is why it is best to always get your derma roller treatments done by a professional dermatologist and never opt for the DIY devices that you get in the market.
Where and when are dermarollers used?
The derma roller is a fabulous device that can be used to treat any part of your skin that requires healing. This means that it can be used on the face and neck, as well as the arms, legs, and even the abdomen. The needles that are used to tackle issues on various parts of the body differ from each other.
Dermaroller treatments are used to tackle a wide range of skin and hair problems including hair loss, acne scars, stretch marks, signs of aging, deep pores, fine lines, wrinkles, cellulite, hyperpigmentation, and more. Derma roller treatments are suited to anyone of any age who has a skin problem that needs treatment.
What are some points to keep in mind when approaching a dermatologist for treatment?
If you are going to a dermatologist for the very first time, I encourage you to keep certain points in mind. These include:
- Plan your appointment in advance to avoid it clashing with a function in the evening. This is because if you have a skin treatment done on your first visit, your skin will be red and you might be advised to rest at home.
- Carry all your medical records. Your dermatologist will need to know if you suffer from any disease like diabetes or whether you have any allergies.
- Keep your skin clean. Avoid wearing any heavy make-up to the dermatologist’s clinic, as they will anyway need to get rid of it in order to give your skin a thorough evaluation.
- Make a note of all the questions that you have in mind before starting the treatment. It is important to get your doubts cleared. Remember that no question is too silly when it comes to your health and well-being.
Finally, I always advise patients to choose a clinic that is conveniently located. You do not want to choose a dermatologist who is too far away from your place of residence, as the commute back home may be long and tiring. Also, remember to read up some reviews of the dermatologist to see what the other patients have to say about them.
What can you expect in terms of results?
After the dermaroller treatment, you might see a bit of redness that can last for five days. There might be a slight burning in the treated area. Yet, you can wear minimal make-up and head out normally.
There are newer cover recover creams or post-treatment creams, which are available; your doctor will recommend them for use after the treatment, as they work well to recover the skin post the treatment and also act as a BB cream.
According to Harvard Health Publishing, patients see improvements in their skin condition in around six to 12 weeks from the day of a derma roller treatment. Do keep in mind that the results can vary between patients. Your dermatologist will let you know what you can expect. Also, I want you to note that using dermarollers for microneedling is a process by which your body heals itself and this healing does take time.
How many sessions will be required?
The number of sessions needed can vary between patients depending on many factors such as the severity of their skin problems. On an average, patients need around two sessions. However, some patients may need as many as four or even six sessions to get the desired results. These sessions are spaced apart, so that your skin gets time to heal and is not taxed too severely. The time between two sessions can vary between four to six weeks. Your dermatologist will let you know what is the ideal time frame and the number of sessions for your skin condition.
Closing thoughts
With advancements in modern medicine, skin problems are a thing of the past. Now, do not let spots and blemishes make you shy away from putting your best foot forward. I encourage you to come forward and seek the skincare treatment that you need. Dermarollers could be the ultimate solution in helping you reveal the youth and vitality of your skin.
References
- The American Society of Plastic Surgeons – https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/want-to-restore-aging-skin-try-microneedling
- Harvard Health Publishing – https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/needling-your-way-to-healthier-skin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5556180/
Dr. Batul Patel is a celebrity dermatologist and the medical director of The Bombay Skin Clinic an award winning clinic located in South Mumbai & Bandra. She is a passionate and dedicated dermatologist with expertise in all fields of dermatology, trichology and aesthetic dermatology. She has been practicing for more than a decade. Her range of expertise include emsculpt NEO, coolsculpting, fillers, acne treatment, lasers, skin rejuvenation, hair loss, hair transplant, PRP & pigmentation treatments.
