Derma rollers are an at-home microneedling tool. Using the device can reduce wrinkles and promote hair growth. It’s also safe for most skin types.
The derma roller features 192 needles in eight rows, and is made of medical-grade stainless steel. It is designed to penetrate deeper into the skin and target fine lines and wrinkles.
It’s Non-Invasive
The needles in derma rollers are so small that they don’t break the skin. Instead, they create tiny wounds that stimulate the skin’s natural healing processes. This can reduce scars and improve overall skin texture and tone.
Research has shown that derma rolling can also encourage hair growth, particularly in men with pattern baldness and women with severe alopecia areata. It can do so by promoting the production of platelet-derived growth factor and stimulating the hair bulb to grow new cells.
To use a derma roller, sterilize it in rubbing alcohol and clean the area where you’ll be applying it. Then, move the derma roller over your face or scalp several times, depending on your sensitivity and tolerance. Be sure to lift the derma roller up after each pass. Doing so prevents “tram track” scarring. Also, try to choose a derma roller with finer needles for more sensitive areas like the face. Lastly, choose a derma roller with replacement heads that are sterile and reusable to minimize bacteria buildup.
It’s Effective
The needles in derma rollers create micro-injuries in your skin, triggering the body’s natural healing response. This promotes new blood vessel growth, increases collagen production, and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. It also activates stem cells in the hair bulge, encouraging hair growth.
Studies have found that derma rolling can help reduce acne scars, remove dark spots from the face, and make skin more firm. The best results come from using a derma roller in combination with skin care products that contain ingredients that improve skin health.
Derma rollers are safe for use in the home, provided they’re used properly. The device should be disinfected before each use with alcohol or a designated cleaning solution. After using it, make sure to apply a hydrating serum that doesn’t contain ingredients that can irritate the skin, such as retinols and vitamin C. Then, move the derma roller across the face in horizontal and diagonal movements. Generally, this process should take no more than two minutes.
It’s Easy to Use
Derma rolling is an easy DIY skin care technique that’s a great option for people who can’t afford in-office micro-needling. However, it’s not without a learning curve and should be used with caution if you have sensitive skin or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
You must also use the right skincare products to see results. Avoid using serums with ingredients that can cause an adverse reaction when rolled into the skin, such as retinol and vitamin C, says skincare expert Laura Kearney. She recommends choosing products rich in hyaluronic acid to increase the absorption of active ingredients into the face.
It’s also important to keep your derma roller clean so that you don’t transfer bacteria from your hands to your skin, advises dermatologist Joshua Zeichner. To do so, he recommends rolling it over an alcohol swab before each use. He also advises against sharing the tool with other people. This is especially important if you’re not sure of your own hygiene skills.
It’s Safe
Derma rollers are very safe to use. They don’t penetrate the skin as deeply as a professional treatment in an office, which makes them safer for at-home users. The needles are incredibly small and cause only minimal pain at most.
For the best results, dermatologists recommend using a derma roller with a needle length of less than 1 millimeter for at-home use. Skotnicki recommends looking for a tool made with titanium or stainless steel.
Derma rollers for hair growth work through the same process as microneedling, but with one major difference: It stimulates the skin to produce more collagen and elastin, which boosts skin thickness. It also increases blood flow, which can stimulate hair follicles and lead to thicker, healthier hair. It can also help treat alopecia areata and improve the results of hair transplantation. However, more research is needed to prove its effectiveness for this condition. Using a derma roller in combination with topical treatments like Minoxidil can boost hair growth, too.