How To Use Dermaroller For Acne Scars?
Pratima Ati is a postgraduate in International Business from Staffordshire University. After working in Marketing and Business Development for a few years, she jumped ship to pursue two things she loved – fashion and writing.
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The dermaroller is the hottest diva in the cosmetic town, with an increasing number of women turning towards it as the hope for curing acne scars. It’s accessible, affordable, and, most importantly, very effective. Not everyone can go under the knife for a permanent solution – so, when we talk about sustainable and practical healing methods, we need to talk about Dermaroller.
What is a dermaroller anyway? How can it help treat your acne scars? Any side effects? There are a ton of questions revolving around this, and hence this post. Keep reading for the answers!
What Is The Dermaroller Treatment For Acne Scars?
The dermaroller treatment involves puncturing your skin and creating tiny holes to start the healing mechanism. It heals open wounds by propelling collagen production that improves the texture, health, and elasticity of your skin (1). The Dermaroller treatment is also used as a therapy for photoaging.
How Effective Is Dermaroller For Treating Acne Scars?
The Dermaroller treatment starts at the skin’s epidermis. It stimulates the skin to heal itself from the indented scars. Collagen is a protein that helps in keeping the structure of the skin intact.
Dermaroller also fixes other issues like discoloration, wrinkles, fine lines, post-inflammatory pigmentation, and even sagging skin. While consuming collagen-rich foods and taking relevant supplements can help, microneedling is the essential dermaroller treatment that boosts collagen production.
So, should you get dermarolling done at a clinic or do it yourself?
Dermaroller Treatment At The Clinic For Acne Scars
If you are not sure about using it yourself, please get it done professionally. Dermarolling treatments are quite common and not too expensive. The procedure at the clinic takes about 45 minutes to an hour – with a suggested gap of 6 weeks between every sitting (1).
What if you want to do it at home? What are the steps you should follow? Scroll down to find out.
How To Use Dermaroller At Home For Acne Scars
1. Sanitize The Dermaroller
Make sure you always clean the dermaroller before using. You can soak it in surgical alcohol or IPA (isopropyl alcohol). It kills any bacteria or infection-causing germs. Since the needles go directly inside the skin, this is an important step.
2. Clean Your Face
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser – one that maintains the pH of your skin without drying it out. If you are using needle heads shorter than 0.5 mm, ensure you clean up with IPA.
3. Apply The Cream Or Serum Of Your Choice
Some people use OTC face numbing creams that help reduce the pain caused while the roller punctures your skin. Check the instructions on the label before you use the cream. You could also use a serum that adds a layer between your skin and the needles.
4. Start The Rolling Procedure
- You need to roll at least 8-10 times in each direction, i.e., horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.
- If you are a first-timer, see how your skin reacts to the movement.
- Lift the roller and start at the same place for each repetition until you cover the entire region.
- Repeat the procedure in the other two directions.
- Be extra cautious and don’t apply too much pressure.
5. Clean Your Face Up
Wash your face with plain water. Be gentle because your skin is the most vulnerable at this point. Pat dry with a soft towel.
6. Clean And Sanitize The Dermaroller
Clean the dermaroller before you store it.
7. Apply Follow-Up Cream
Apply your regular serum, moisturizer, or sunscreen if you are stepping out. Avoid makeup for the following day. Let your skin heal and breathe. Do not expose it to any chemicals at this point.
So, which dermaroller should you use to deal with acne scars? Find out in the next section.
Which Is The Best Dermaroller For Acne Scars?
Finding the best dermaroller is more of a relative comparison, but it is important you find a good quality roller that heals your skin without any damage. There are two aspects to this – the material that is used, and the size.
Good quality dermarollers are made of titanium or stainless steel. Titanium lasts long and keeps the needles sharp for extended periods, but stainless steel is more sterile and hygienic. So, choose something that matches your needs.
Derma Roller Size
| Needle Length | Best For |
|---|---|
| 1 mm | Flatten scars (not very deep) |
| 1.5 mm | Deep scars, post-surgery scars, and stretch marks (you can go up to a little less than 2mm for the needle size – not more) |
| 0.25 to 0.5 mm | Reduce pore size, post inflammatory pigmentation |
| 0.25 to 1 mm | Discoloration or uneven skin tone, sunburn, and loose skin |
| 0.5 mm | Fine lines |
| 0.5 to 1 mm | Wrinkles |
Great. The next question that might occur to you is – when will the results be visible?
When Will You See Results?
The dermaroller treatment takes time to show results, so you need patience. Experts say that it will take a minimum of 2-3 sessions before you starting seeing visible changes. From the third to the sixth session, you may not see much. But consistent use will eventually improve the overall texture of your skin and make your skin look remarkably healthier.
And what about the serum?
What Type Of Serum To Use With A Dermaroller?
Using a serum with a dermaroller creates a smoother surface to work with. The serums are absorbed more effectively than otherwise – as the procedure opens up the pores and transports the product quickly into the skin.
There is nothing better than hyaluronic acid – not just for the dermarolling procedure, but even otherwise. Hyaluronic acid, along with vitamin C or E serum, is perfect. You can follow it up with a moisturizer (or a sunscreen if you are stepping out).
There are a few other points you should keep in mind.
Important Points To Note
You cannot share your Dermaroller with anyone else – doing so only increases the risk of infection.
- There will be a little bleeding during treatment, which is natural. But be prepared to handle that.
- Do not use the roller at home if you have keloids or raised scars.
- Dermaroller is not a magic wand. It will take a while before you notice the results. You need to be patient and hold on until you see the changes.
- Skin redness is a common side effect, which will subside in a few days.
- For some people, the skin might start to peel off a little bit. If you feel it is getting out of control, stop use and visit a doctor.
There are tons of tutorials online that take you through the procedure, but if you feel the need, walk into a clinic and talk to a professional. Because it’s worth it.
Have you heard of the dermaroller yet? Do you own one? Are you planning to buy one? Let us know by dropping in a text in the comment section below!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest dermaroller?
Go for a good quality derma roller (and nothing more than 1 mm for home use). It is a worthy investment, so do not compromise on the quality.
What is the recovery time for a dermaroller?
At home, you will take a minimum of 24 to 48 hours to recover from micro needling procedures. The turnaround is much lesser when compared to your clinical treatments. However, your skin will be sensitive and sore for the next 7 days, so you need to be a little vigilant. Do not apply makeup for at least a day or two.
How often to use a dermaroller for acne scars?
It depends on your skin’s recovery time and the dermaroller you are using. Take a call based on how your skin feels (and if you think you have recovered). If the roller size is anything between 0.25 mm to 0.5 mm, you can use it for about two times a week. For a 1 mm roller, give it 10 days to 2 weeks before you use it again. And a 2 mm roller (which is not recommended for home use) needs at least 4 weeks between each session.
Can you use a dermaroller on active acne?
Do not use dermaroller over active acne; just hover around the area carefully. The chances of acne bursting and the infection spreading are very high, defeating the whole purpose of using the dermaroller in the first place. It punctures your skin and improves collagen production to heal the scars. It does not heal active acne.
References
- “Microneedling With Dermaroller…”,Journal of Cutaneous And Aesthetic Surgery, U.S National Library Of Medicine.
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