Microneedling, a procedure that might diminish scars, wrinkles, and enhance overall skin health, is typically more effective and safer when performed by a skincare expert. Despite its daunting aspect—puncturing your face with hundreds of tiny needles—it offers significant benefits such as diminishing wrinkles and stretch marks, reducing acne scars and skin discoloration, increasing skin thickness, rejuvenating the face, and improving the absorption of skincare products. Although it might seem tempting to try microneedling at home, professional treatment is advised due to the sterile environment and reduced risk of complications like infections.
Microneedling, also known as dermarolling or collagen induction therapy, involves using a device to insert thousands of fine needles into the skin. This process, surprisingly minimally invasive with little downtime, stimulates collagen and elastin production. Collagen, a crucial protein for connective tissues, diminishes with age, affecting skin thickness and barrier function.
Here’s a brief guide on using a dermaroller at home, although caution and thorough preparation are necessary to prevent infection and ensure safety:
Step 1: Disinfect your roller by soaking it in 70% isopropyl alcohol for 5-10 minutes.
Step 2: Wash your face with a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser. Use alcohol to clean your face if using needles longer than 0.5 mm.
Step 3: Apply numbing cream if needed, especially for needle lengths above 1.0 mm which may cause bleeding.
Step 4: Start dermarolling carefully, dividing your face into sections and avoiding sensitive areas like the eyes. Lift the roller after each pass to avoid “tram track” scarring.
Step 5: Rinse your face with water only post-treatment.
Step 6: Clean your dermaroller using detergent to remove proteins that alcohol can’t dissolve.
Step 7: Disinfect your roller again before storing it safely.
Step 8: Follow up with a gentle skincare routine, avoiding chemical exfoliants or active ingredients.
Frequency of dermarolling varies with needle length, ensuring complete skin recovery before the next session. To augment microneedling results, consider using products that promote hydration, healing, and collagen production, such as sheet masks, vitamin C, niacinamide, epidermal growth factors, and hyaluronic acid.
Post-microneedling, you may experience minor bleeding, redness similar to sunburn, and possibly swelling. Rare risks include hyperpigmentation, “tram track” scarring, cold sores, swollen lymph nodes, or infection. Initial swelling may give a temporarily plump appearance, but true results develop with continued use.
Dermarollers, available in stainless steel or titanium needles, can be purchased online. While both materials are effective, stainless steel offers sharper, more sterile needles suitable for medical use, and titanium needles are more durable.
Results from microneedling can be noticeable after just 2-3 sessions, with improvements in acne scarring or wrinkles, and the outcomes can be long-lasting. Always avoid rolling over active acne and consult a skincare professional if unsure about proceeding with at-home treatment.
