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How To Use A Derma Roller: Top Tips And Aftercare

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If exorbitantly-priced, potent potions and invasive treatments have failed you, consider derma rolling to achieve your dream skin. We give you the lowdown on how to use a derma roller, its benefits, side effects, and more.
How To Use A Derma Roller: Top Tips And Aftercare

We bet you’ve chanced upon the intriguing, wand-like tool featuring a roller head with prickly needles – a derma roller is touted as a beauty marvel that can give you your best skin yet. But before you add one to your cart, we advise you to gather as much information about this at-home procedure as possible.

From the benefits of derma rolling to how to use a derma roller, from how to clean a derma roller to how to use a derma roller for hair we have got you covered with any and all possible questions you may have about this magical wand for your skin and hair. Like everything else, there are two sides to a story, so we will spare no details when it comes to the side effects and the dos and don’ts of using a derma roller as well. Without further ado, let’s roll!

What is a Derma Roller?

A derma roller is a handheld beauty device meant to be rolled over the skin to facilitate collagen remodelling and deeper penetration of concentrated formulas. Spikes on the drum-shaped head of the tool create micro-tears on your epidermis – invisible to the naked eye – prompting renewal and regeneration by setting off collagen production into overdrive. As a result, improved elasticity leaves you with a plump, firm complexion, accelerating skin healing.

The Benefits of Derma Rolling

Derma rolling, a minimally invasive procedure, helps eliminate pesky scars and makes your skin more plump and taut. Besides amplifying collagen production within the surface of your skin, derma rollers allow for deeper penetration of active ingredients by creating micro-tears, furthering skin regeneration, renewal, plumping, firmness, and healing. Derma rolling can be performed at home using an inexpensive derma roller tool, often to tackle hyperpigmentation, scarring, and uneven skin tone and texture. Let’s get into these benefits in detail.

  1. Improves Collagen Production: Dermarollers cause micro-injuries or micro-tears on the surface of our skin. This triggers our skin to increase the pace of healing by producing more collagen and elastin. Which in turn helps in reducing signs of ageing such as wrinkles, fine lines, and saggy skin.
  2. Enhances Skin Texture: With regular use of a derma roller, you can improve the texture of your skin by smoothing out any rough patches, bumps, pores, or unevenness. It leaves your skin more refined, smooth, and flawless.
  3. Reduces Acne Scars: When you microneedle your skin, the skin works overtime to heal it by producing collagen, which in turn reduces the appearance and depth of your acne scars.
  4. Increases Absorption: When you use a derma roller, you create small tears and divots that make it easier for serums, moisturisers, vitamins, and nutrients to be absorbed into your skin.
  5. Minimises Hyperpigmentation: Since derma rolling increases collagen production, and cell regeneration, and evens out skin tone, it automatically reduces hyperpigmentation and discolouration as a result.
  6. Tightens Pores: With increased collagen and cell regeneration, your pores get unclogged and tighten themselves as new cells resurface.

What Size Of A Derma Roller Is Best?

The right size of derma roller is important for the best results. Depending on the size of the needle you can achieve different results. Here’s what you can expect from different sizes of a derma roller.

  1. 0.25mm: This offers very little tears, they don’t even out your skin texture or cause tears but the micro divots are perfect for product absorption and collagen production.
  2. 0.50mm: This is the most ideal length for a derma roller. It improves the skin texture, reduces signs of ageing, stimulates collagen, boosts skin elasticity and cell rejuvenation and causes minimal damage.
  3. 1.0mm: This size is suitable for deeper acne scars, stretch marks, and deep wrinkles. It is not ideal for everyday use or regular derma rolling. If your skin is very thick and cell regeneration is slow then use this size of a derma roller under professional supervision.

Even for scalp treatment, a 0.50mm derma roller is ideal and would create micro-tears without damaging your skin or tissues. Consult a dermatologist if you wish to use a deeper derma roller.

How To Use a Derma Roller?

Before you derma roll your way to perfectly plump, firm skin, you must pick a device depending on the needle size. Consider using a derma roller 0.5 mm or lower, as a thicker needle increases the possibility of inflicting damage on your epidermis. For deeper microneedling, consult a professional.

  • Disinfect Your Derma Roller

    You can either disinfect your derma roller before or after using it to keep it fresh and hygienic. Begin by rinsing with warm water. Warm water removes any micro-skin tissues or debris. Then submerge the roller head in cleaning spirit or alcohol for 10 minutes to kill all the bacteria. Once you have finished soaking it in alcohol, rinse it with warm water again. Store it in a clean, cool, and dry place preferably in its original container or any other airtight container to keep bacteria and germs at bay.

  • Prep Your Skin

    Cleanse and exfoliate your skin to prep for this minimally invasive procedure. Doing so ensures the elimination of dead skin cells, dirt, grime, and other impurities. Adequate cleansing also removes any oil build-up that could clog your pores and prevent the derma roller from efficiently penetrating your skin. Moisturisers are best used after derma rolling, so avoid applying such rich formulas before commencing the procedure.

  • Pick a Serum of Your Choice

    Since derma rolling maximises the efficacy of your formulas, you must choose the correct concentrations boasting potent actives to leverage this procedure and minimise adverse reactions. Turn to hyaluronic acid, stem cells, and peptides to boost the benefits of derma rolling, prompt skin cell turnover, and smoothen fine lines and wrinkles.

  • Roll the Device on Your Face

    Lightly roll over the prickly head of the beauty tool on a clean face, moving it in gentle back-and-forth motions vertically, horizontally, and diagonally. Do not apply too much pressure, and lift the derma roller after every few rolls to avoid damage and tears. If your derma roller has longer needles, consider indulging in this procedure once per month. However, if the needles are shorter, you can derma roll every other day.

  • Top Up With a Serum

    Since derma rolling has now generated micro-tears on your skin for deeper penetration of products, apply another layer of highly concentrated formulas to maximise their efficacy. A hydrating serum is ideal for dehydrated skin, a sebum-controlling serum for greasiness, and perhaps retinol for those suffering from breakouts.

  • Clean Your Device

    Once you’ve completed derma rolling, you must clean and store your device correctly. Use alcohol to clean your tool and replace the head of your derma roller once a month if you’re using it several times a week. Expect noticeable results in your skin anywhere between two to six months after use.

How Often Should You Use A Derma Roller?

Depending on the size of the derma roller, you can decide the frequency. If it is 0.25mm it is a considerably small needle and you can use it 2–3 times a week without it damaging your skin a lot. If you are using a 0.50mm sized needle we recommend using it 1–2 times a week for a collagen boost, stimulated blood circulation, and skin regeneration. If you opt for a thicker and deeper needle such as the 1.0mm needle, use it once a month to treat deeper scars and wrinkles.

The Side Effects of Derma Rolling

While the procedure, when performed correctly, has minimal adverse reactions, you must follow basic hygiene practices when using any beauty device. Ensure you clean your derma roller after each use, replacing the prickly head once a month if used regularly. Don’t apply too much pressure while performing the procedure, and do not derma roll over active acne, keloids, herpes, infections, or boils. Super-sensitive skin, or those with active cystic acne or broken-out skin, should avoid derma rolling altogether.

Can You Use a Derma Roller on Your Scalp?

Evidence suggests that derma rolling can stimulate hair growth by boosting blood flow and oxygenation to your scalp via the tiny needles. Men can use this tool on their beards to derive similar growth benefits. As with your skin, one mustn’t be too harsh with the beauty device on the scalp; perform the procedure once every three weeks for healthy hair growth.

Derma Roller vs Derma Pen

The chief difference between a derma roller and a derma pen is that while a derma roller is a handheld device that can be used at home, featuring a prickly barrel that rolls over the skin, microneedling via a derma pen must take place under professional supervision. Microneedling is also a more intensive procedure, offering better results. A derma pen allows for more customisation and can be used all over the face, while a derma roller has a fixed needle length and thickness.

Derma Rollers For Him and Her

Dos And Don’ts Of Derma Rolling

You can only get the complete benefits of derma rolling if you use it the right way, so remember these dos and don’ts when using a derma roller.

How To Use A Derma Roller: Dos

  1. Always keep your derma roller clean, an unhygienic roller can cause bacterial or fungal infection. Always soak it in hot water and alcohol to completely eradicate any residue.
  2. Always prep your skin before you roll away. When you use a derma roller on dry skin it can tear your skin in all the wrong ways causing irritation and redness.
  3. Apply gentle pressure, don’t push the derma roller too deep as it can tear your skin in ways you don’t want.
  4. Make sure to always roll in multiple directions and not just one direction, doing this makes sure your skin is evenly treated making way for products to be absorbed better.

How To Use A Derma Roller: Don’ts

  1. Don’t use a derma roller when you have active acne or skin sensitivity. This can further aggravate your skin concerns.
  2. Don’t share your derma roller with people, no matter how close they are to you, it is like a toothbrush that’s personal to you, this too enters the surface of your skin, and to maintain hygiene it is advisable to not share it with others.
  3. Don’t overuse a derma roller, depending on the thickness and size of the needle you need to space the rolling sessions accordingly.
  4. Don’t use harsh products after you have used the derma roller on your face, your skin is free of tears and wounds and harsh actives can cause irritation as they will directly enter the deeper layers of your skin.

Aftercare

Here’s what you need to know about aftercare once you have used a derma roller.

  • Nourish & Protect

    Since you start your derma rolling with a freshly cleansed face, you don’t need to wash it again. Apply a serum, moisturiser, and sunscreen to nourish, hydrate, and protect your skin.

  • Avoid Makeup

    After you use a derma roller, your skin needs time to heal so avoid using makeup as makeup particles can enter your skin and your pores will tighten leaving the makeup debris inside.

  • Avoid Harsh Actives

    Avoid harsh actives such as AHA, BHA, retinol, strong ingredients, and even fragrant ingredients once you have used a derma roller. Your skin will be extra sensitive and using such ingredients can adversely affect your skin.

  • Stay Hydrated

    Drink plenty of water to support your skin’s hydration levels from within.

Parting Thoughts

A derma roller can be a great tool to improve your overall skin health by stimulating blood circulation, reducing acne scars, tightening your pores, brightening your skin tone, and evening out your skin texture. When you use it the right way bearing in mind the dos and don’ts there’s no way you can reap the benefits of this magical wand.

FAQs

  1. How to use a derma roller?

    Make sure you start with a clean roller, prep your skin well, use the derma roller in multiple directions, and finally nourish, hydrate, and protect your skin after using it.

  2. How to use a derma roller for hair?

    Make sure you begin with a clean scalp and a clean roller. Apply some serum to your roots and gently roll the device on your scalp in all directions. Gently apply some pressure and top it off with some more nourishing serum.

  3. How to clean a derma roller?

    Rinse the derma roller in some warm water, then soak it in alcohol for 20 minutes to remove all the bacteria. Rinse it again in some water and air dry it. Lastly, store it in an airtight container to avoid infecting it.

  4. How to use a derma roller on the face?

    Make sure your face and the derma roller are clean before you begin. Gently roll the device on your face in all directions for equal pressure distribution, and finish it by applying some serum, moisturiser, and sunscreen to nourish, hydrate, and protect your sensitive skin.

  5. What are some benefits of derma rolling?

    Here are some benefits of derma rolling:

    • Reduces hyperpigmentation
    • Brightens skin complexion
    • Improves cell regeneration
    • Stimulates blood circulation
    • Boosts collagen production
    • Tightens pores
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