Derma roller

The Derma Roller (also called skin rollers, microneedle rollers, and dermarollers) is a small hand-held rolling device which has micro surgical steel needles that reach the inner surface of your skin to promote skin repair from the inside out. It stimulates elastin and collagen production in the skin without causing any damage. Using a Derma Roller is also referred to as skin needling.

Derma Rollers come with different sized needles, and choosing the right size for the needle depends on your needs. Here are some recommendations:

Needle length uses

• 0.25mm – Increased penetration of skin care products into the skin and overall improvement of skin colour and texture.
• 0.5mm – Wrinkles, anti-aging, light acne scarring, mild chicken pox or ice pick scars, also recommended for thinning hair.
• 1.0mm, 1.5mm – Deep stretch marks, cellulite and deep scarring — 1.5mm is also the maximum needle length recommended for use on your face
• 2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm – For more severe cases, deep scars and wrinkles, rejuvenation of badly damaged skin

Do Derma Rollers really work?

Derma Rollers are supported by clinical studies to be effective in non-surgical and non-ablative treatment for a variety of skin conditions. These include aging, (wrinkles, fine lines, and stretch marks), scarring (acne and surgical), as well as cellulite and hyperpigmentation.

Studies have also shown that derma rollers are often a better treatment than dermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser resurfacing. They are proven to be just as effective in their ability to stimulate collagen and elastin production. Regular use of Derma Roller can thicken skin, smooth scars of all sizes, and erase wrinkles. Skin needling can be done at home, at your convenience, however home use Derma Rollers have the shortest needle lengths and therefore cannot produce the same benefits as practitioner only Derma Rollers.

What are the contraindications?

• Active infection
• History of abnormal scarring eg Keloid
• Loose skin (if treating stretch marks).

What does the procedure involve?

Your practitioner will use a topical anaesthetic to numb the skin making the procedure comfortable; it will normally take up to 30 minutes for the topical anaesthetic to work and 20 - 30 minutes for the treatment. Many people will find topical ice packs sufficient before treatments especially for non facial areas. The roller is then repeatedly rolled over the skin to produce thousands of micro-medical needle-columns in the skin. Each column will penetrate into the dermis of the skin and will be approximately 0.1mm in width. The column will close rapidly enabling the skin to recover quickly - often in the same day. The treated skin will show micro bleeding and this is the required end point of the treatment.

What are the after effects?

After a Derma Roller procedure your body will start to naturally regenerate and repair the skin, working below the surface in the dermis. This takes time as new collagen is formed, new skin cells are generated and blood supply is enhanced. It can take up to 6 weeks before visible signs of regeneration and repair are seen and the process will continue over the following months, providing you with a natural and long lasting enhancement.

How many treatments are required?

Your practitioner will normally recommend that your Derma Roller treatments are required for the results that you wish to achieve. Treatment consists of a series of Derma Roller procedures with approximately 6 weeks between them. Commonly three to four treatments are required.

In the treatment of stretch marks, acne scars and other types of scarring it is necessary for your practitioner to extend your treatment carrying out up to six procedures.