When gardeners regenerate their aging lawn, they often aerate it using a spiked wheel, drawing out plugs of dirt and allowing oxygen, water and other nutrients to reach well beneath the grass surface. Simply put, derma rolling uses the same concept.
Also known as Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT), skin needling or micro-needling, derma rolling sees hundreds of tiny needles penetrate the stratum corneum of the skin’s epidermis, creating thousands of micro punctures so that platelets, responsible for the regeneration of tissue and storage of collagen and elastin in the skin, are released.
Releasing these blood vessels, induces the manufacture of epidermal growth to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin for plumper, fresher and younger looking skin.
Halleluyah we hear you say!
Getting to grips with a new skincare regime or tool can take time and can be a little daunting, so we are here to help guide you with some essential tips for making the most out of your Derma Roller.
1. It is a natural treatment.
Whilst we generally associate ‘natural’ with gentle, non-invasive beauty, derma rolling is on the lower scale of invasive procedures, offering very little if any down-time or recovery time for your skin. Steeped in history and originating in China, derma rolling stems from the tattooing process, used for thousands of years in both medical and cultural practices.
2. Size DOES matter!
When selecting a Derma Roller, we recommend that you are aware of the differing needle lengths, what they do and how safe they are. For example, our Derma Roller at 0.3mm in length, is presently the maximum permitted retail needle length for you to safely use at home, in Australia.
Longer lengths up to approx. 2.0mm are used to combat extreme skin issues such as scars and stretch marks, cellulite and even hair loss and are administered only by your qualified Beauty Therapist, Dermal Clinician, Doctor or Dermatologist dependent on the needle length.
3. Always clean your roller pre-use.
Your roller is an up-close-and-personal skin treatment device and requires a spray down with alcohol (minimum 70%) to ensure a clean, hygienic procedure.
This means, that your Derma Roller is not designed to be shared with others as it penetrates the stratum spinosum of the epidermis and can then carry debris from your skin.
4. Technique is easy and safe, just follow these steps:
Roll the derma roller backwards and forwards 4-5 times in each direction, maintaining consistent speed and pressure. Focus pressure on the upward strokes & lift off the skin before changing direction.
- Vertically – up + down.
- Horizontally – backwards + forwards.
- Diagonally In – from outer face into centre, backwards + forwards.
- Diagonally Out – from centre to outer face, backwards + forwards.
- Finish with the roller in a diagonal upwards direction, to the outside of the face.
5. Roll at night for best results
Allowing your face to relax when resting overnight, encourages the ‘healing’ and restoration process.
6. Try instead of your next IPL or chemical peel…
Derma Rolling can deliver results similar to laser resurfacing and chemical peels with minimal healing time, so why not give it a go? With less downtime your skin, will be radiant and revitalised the very next day.
7. Results continue with use
Aim to use your Derma Roller 2-3 times per week and set an evening aside for a roll. It will only take you 10 minutes to cleanse, roll and apply your serum before bedtime. Easy!
8. Make your serum work better for you!
The rolling process offers a renewed epidermal surface, where products can penetrate deeper into the skin, increasing their effectiveness. This means that actives good for fortifying the skin such as peptides, retinol or Vitamin C as well as growth factors of collagen and elastin should be sought in post-rolling skincare products.
9. Always clean your roller and store after use.
This prevents build-up of skin cells, that could be harder to remove when cleaning before the next use. Clean in the same way as pre-use and allow to thoroughly dry before storing in tray. Remember to always store in the tray as this will be safe to cover the needles and prevent needle degradation or breakage.
10. Steady goes it!
Take your time in learning to self-roll and don’t overdo it. Pay attention to the direction of the rolling so as not to damage the skin. But once you’ve got it (and it is easy!) you’ll be wondering why you didn’t jump onto the bandwagon earlier!
Don’t forget to replace your Derma Roller every 3 to 4 months for optimal performance.
Derma Rolling is suitable for most people, with the exception of those suffering high blood pressure, diabetes or those on cardiac care medication.
In the 48 hours after rolling, be careful not to encourage excessive sweating through saunas, spas or exercise and avoid chlorinated pools, waxing or tanning as these could in some cases, irritate the skin treated by the derma roller. It is not recommended to use products containing AHA, BHA, Vitamin C, bleach or high concentrations of alcohol in the 4-5 days after rolling.
Check with your beauty therapist if you have recently had other skin treatments such as chemical peels, IPL or microdermabrasion.