There has been a lot of attention lately on micro-needling or derma rolling and how great it is for your skin. Is it really possible for one small tool to firm skin, reduce wrinkles and even reduce stretch marks? To understand how one tool can do so much for the appearance of your skin, it is important to understand what a derma roller is and how to properly use it.
What is a Derma Roller?
A derma roller is a handheld device that uses hundreds of needles to create tiny micro tears in the skin as it rolls over the surface. The small punctures left behind help stimulate the production of collagen for firmer skin, minimizing the appearance of wrinkles. In addition, the holes allow the right skincare products to be better absorbed by the skin, enhancing results.
Benefits of Derma Rolling
Although derma rolling takes only a few minutes, it boasts desirable benefits. Some use derma rolling to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as derma rolling increases collagen and elastin production which causes skin to be firmer and more tight. Others use derma rolling to reduce the appearance of stretch marks as the micro tears improve the texture of the stretched skin. And there are some who use derma rolling on areas where their hair is thinning as the punctures of the needles encourage hair regrowth.
As you can see, there are many potential benefits to using a derma roller. However, not all derma rollers are created equally.
Differences in Derma Rollers
If you do a little bit of research, you’ll find many options claiming to be the “best derma roller” on the market, with prices ranging from $15 on Amazon all the way to $200 and beyond.
While there are derma rollers marketed for different functions, such as for the face, lips, to promote hair growth, or reduce the appearance of stretch marks, the main difference in derma rollers is the length of the needles. The needles range from 0.1 mm to 2 mm in length.
Shorter needles can be used at home with regular frequency, but longer needles should be left for professional use as numbing creams are needed since the needles pierce deeper into the surface of the skin. You can reference this chart for a quick reference on how frequent different needle lengths can be used.
What to Look For in a Derma Roller
As with all skin care tools, you want to ensure the product you purchase is made of quality materials and produced by a trusted company. For frequent, at-home use, a needle .5 mm or shorter is recommended.
The Best At-Home Derma Roller for Face Skin Care Routines
At ElumeStemCell, we pride ourselves in delivering the best, leading skin care solutions. That’s why we built a durable derma roller that features needles that are .5 mm which makes it perfect for using 1-3 times per week, according to Healthline. The simple design of a derma roller is elevated with Elume’s sleek black stainless-steel frame, providing durability and function without breaking the bank. You can get yours now by visiting our derma roller page.
How to Use Your Derma Roller for the Best Results
Using a derma roller is a straight-forward process. To begin, ensure that your derma roller is properly cleaned. Using a 70% isopropyl alcohol in a small spray bottle is an easy way to clean your derma roller both before and after each use.
Once your derma roller is clean and ready for use:
- Prep your face so that the derma roller is gliding over clean skin. Remove any make up and wash your face with a gentle cleanser. You do not want to irritate your skin before derma-rolling. If you need ideas on how to clean your face, check out our guide to clean pores.
- Roll the derma roller over your skin, working from the bottom of your face upwards. You can go over an area a couple times, but you do not want to over derma roll your skin as that can actually cause more damage.
- Once you have derma rolled your entire face, apply skincare products immediately for better absorption.
- Clean your derma roller by spraying it with isopropyl alcohol, allow it to air dry on a clean surface, and store properly.
Please, remember:
- Never share your derma roller with another person.
- Do not use a derma roller on broken or irritated skin.
Create a Routine You Can Stick To
Once your skin is used to derma rolling, you can work up to using a derma roller frequently, even daily depending on the needle length. For best results, create a nighttime skin care routine that includes derma rolling so your skin can benefit from the prolonged rest overnight.
Using high quality products like our Daily Illuminating Face Serum in addition to derma rolling will help you get the glowing skin you’ve always wanted. Since the derma roller creates holes in your skin, you want to put the best products on your face after derma rolling to see the biggest improvements. With consistent use, the skin is frequently being treated and regenerated.
Use Concentrated Products to Boost Results
To take your skin care repair even further, consider using concentrated products occasionally after derma rolling. Think about the types of products that you use right before a special occasion like a wedding or reunion to really help your skin glow.
Our most popular product, especially for brides to be, or anyone preparing for a big occasion, is our Hydra Serum. We recommend using it when you want your skin to look its very best, which is why we personally use it monthly. It uses top of the line, advanced technology to create a once-monthly skin boost that is full of cellular components for targeted tissue repair. Instead of putting a powerhouse serum just on top of your skin, when the Hydra Serum is used following a derma rolling session, the micro-tears in the skin allow the proteins and cytokines in the product to be better absorbed into the skin, delivering the best results and making our skin glow for weeks.
The More You Know, the More You Glow
Regular maintenance is the best way for healthy, glowing skin. Adding in micro needling at home with your own derma roller takes your skin care routine even further. Why not help your body absorb the quality products even better and increase collagen production with this simple addition to your skin care routine? We’ve made it really easy for you with our starter facial kit that includes everything you need to get started!