What is dermarolling?

There are an awful lot of cosmetic procedures out there to support your skin and improve its appearance. Some come recommended, others less so, but knowing what’s available can help you’d decide what’s for you. Dermarolling, microneedling or collagen induction therapy is one such treatment, with both spa and home variations.

It’s a cosmetic procedure that uses lots of little needles on the the skin’s surface using a rolling or stamping device. The idea is that it creates microscopic wounds which induce collagen and elastin production.

What are the purported benefits of dermarolling?

The idea is that it helps to tighten the skin, reduce acne scarring, minimise pores and diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It’s also supposed to help products like serums absorb more deeply into the skin. Most people need a course of treatments to see results.

Ref: Healthline

Is dermarolling recommended?

There are lots of people who do recommend dermarolling and it’s largely considered safe for most skin types. However, caution is advised both to avoid infection and damage to the skin. Most dermatologists gravitate towards recommending professional rather than home use, but there are a lot of tools not the market that many people swear by.

Dermatologists and aestheticians warn that people with acne should be extra cautious. It’s always recommended that you consult a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or skin related diagnosis or treatment options like this.

Home dermarolling

There are a lot of dermarolling tools on the market including rollers, pens and stamps. However, for the most part caution is advised. Crucially, it’s important to remember that home versions are very different to professional treatments and results are likely to be significantly different too. The needle length is much smaller, so while it can improve skin texture it’s unlikely to make scarring disappear quickly.

Cosmopolitan did a very informative article on the topic, which ultimately concluded that home microneedling kits can sometimes work well but that you should be careful to minimise complications.

Top tips included:

• Invest in a good quality dermaroller from a reputable supplier
• Start with a short needle length around 0.25mm
• Start with no more than one session a week
• Be vigilant about hygiene
• Replace your roller regularly
• Use daily sun protection
• Invest in good quality serum

Professional dermarolling

Obviously there’s a cost that goes with professional derma rolling but for lots of people it’s worth it. It’s usually recommended as a course of treatments, and that can range from around £150 a session to around £370 a session. It’s important to make sure you are comfortable and that you visit a reputable aesthetics clinics