Frequently Asked Questions with Dermarolling

Q. What is a Derma, Skin or Micro-Needling Roller and how does it work?

1. The derma or skin roller is an instrument consisting of a heavy duty plastic roller head covered in high quality titanium needles. The needles are designed to penetrate the stratum corneum, conium the hard outer surface of the epidermal layer of the skin, body or scalp. Hundreds of tiny channels are created through the stratum corneum, which facilitate the passage and absorption of your skin care product, or minoxidil for hair restoration into the dermis, to maximize its absorption. It gently exfoliates excess skin cells which contribute to hair follicle malnutrition, scaring or premature aging, and ultimately hair follicle failure, wrinkles, stretch marks, cellulite and scars. The roller stimulates blood flow to the surface, gives a skin massage, cleans out the pores and stimulates collagen re-growth. 

Q. I have just used the skin roller for the first time. It was ok on the first day but now 2 days later I have red bumpy patches on my cheeks and forehead. It looks like I have acne?

A. If sounds as though you have released toxins/old collagen fibers from below the surface of your skin, which is good of course. Just keep the area clean and do not use the skin roller again until your face is clear. You can use moisturizer. The renewing skin cycle/new collagen regrowth is 4-6 weeks.

Q. Does it hurt?

A. The needles on the roller and stamp are long enough to assist in the penetration of your skin care product, but will not damage the skin or scalp in any way. It is normal for the skin or skin or scalp to be a little sensitive when scalp rolling is first commenced, but most people report no problems after a few days.

Q. So do you have to use an anesthetic gel or cream?

A. Some people use the numbing cream for cellulite and face needling. Like Dr. Numb Numbing Cream

Q. Can the derma or skin roller be used on veins and broken blood vessels or spider veins?

A. Yes you can use the skin roller on veins close on the surface of face and body – Derma rolling helps to break up larger blood vessels. A derma or skin roller is like a rolling pin to which many, tiny, thin, acupuncture-like needles are attached, can be used to crisscross the dilated blood vessels. Disrupting them like this promotes their disappearance. Healing is usually complete in a few days and treatments may be repeated at monthly intervals as needed.

Q. Can I use the skin roller on my face if I have active acne.

A. No it will make the acne spread.

Q. Do you have to use a cream or product with the roller?

A. After rolling use a good quality product (cream or oil) ingredient try our

Q. What cream should I use after rolling.

A. We have developed, a proven successful, all natural skin care products.

Q. How long to see results?

A. All skin is different so we cant give a definite time frame re results, but as you roll your skin will feel lighter, tighter and brighter almost immediately. If you are treating scars or wrinkles you will see results each week as they skin changes and collagen re-grows, then after 1-3 months deeper results.

Q. How long does the skin roller last?

A. Our skin rollers are very high quality so with care of the roller, and with continual use, it will last 6-8 months – the needles don’t wear out as such as they are medical grade, but with continual use they will eventually become blunt just as an expensive razor would.

Q. Can I use a skin roller when breast feeding or pregnant?

A. The reason it is said not to use a dermaroller when pregnant, lactating and feeding is that the body needs all of its vitamins to feed the baby. So as the production of new collagen uses some vitamins, it is best not to use the dermaroller at this time.

Q. Do you need to be more careful in the sun after rolling?

A. No, sun-sensitivity is not induced because of needling.

Q. What are the names used for needling?

A. Needling is also called Dermarolling, Collagen-Induction-Therapy (CIT), Skin rolling, derma rolling, and skin needling, PCI micro needling (Percutaneous Collagen Induction), Micro needle Therapy and mesorolling.

Q: What does needle gauge mean?

A: The gauge of the needles is weather it is thick or thin. Thicker needles will cause scarring, unnecessary pain and bleeding, thinner needles will not stimulate enough collagen or elastin to be effective. Our dermaroller needles are the right gauge so do not cause these problems.

 

Q: What about color changes on the skin that we may see some times?

A: Discoloration is rare and generally only a ‘permanent problem’ if a 2.0 or longer needle is used, I have never seen a permanent color change, and we have been using the skin rollers in our clinic for some time. Changes in skin color can also be because of toxins migrating to the surface and then the color (patches) fade out as you keep rolling. Also old collagen fibers break down as you roll, and as the skin is uneven, there may look like changes in color in patches, but this is temporary. New color also comes to the skin naturally as you roll, as in a healthy glow, as pores are cleaned out and new collagen grows. So that would be the color you are supposed to be, as in a healthy skin tone. I wouldn’t suggest you use any chemical on the color change, just keep rolling and allow it to balance out naturally – if it ever does occur.

Q. So rolling creates channels or holes in the skin do they stay open and absorb dirt as well?

A. No the tiny channels quickly close over, within the hour.

Q. Does the Skin Roller damage the skin?

A. No, there have been no reports of side effects with the Roller. The Nova Skin Roller penetrates the stratum corneum (top skin layer), where tiny needles form infiltration channels for a short space of time. The extreme slim needle-tips push the scales of the epidermis only aside, but they do not destroy them. The infiltration channels are closed in less than an hour. With shaving it’s a fact that the sharp razor blades remove part of the stratum corneum but there are no reports that this centuries old procedure of shaving has any negative effect to the skin.

Q. How long should you roll?

A. The needling or rolling with the skin roller is not determined by time. More importantly are the numbers of roll-movements over a certain skin-area. Ten (10) roll-movements set 160 pricks per square centimeter (15 times about 240 pricks). It should not take more than 3-5 minutes.

Q. How should I roll?

A. With your free hand hold the skin putting it under some slight tension. Place the skin roller on the skin and roll with a constant movement to the end of the skin area. Roll two or three times over the same spot back and forth over the skin and in different directions.

Q. Do I need to sterilize my roller after use?

A. Yes it is essential to keep your roller in a clean and sterile condition. Wash in hot running water after every use. Then once a week stand head first in half your plastic cylinder (that the roller comes in) of disinfectant for about half an hour. Shake of excess liquid and allow to dry on clean towel or paper towel. Put cap on and store in clean sealed container – supplied. Don’t ever share your roller due to probable cross contamination.

Q. What type of disinfectant should I use?

A. Just buy a small bottle of disinfectant from the first-aid section of your supermarket or pharmacy. Fill your plastic cylinder 1/4 full with disinfectant, and 1/4 water, so the cylinder is half full. Put roller in head first for about 1/2 an hour. This sterilizes your roller as well as plastic cylinder you store it in.

Q. How deep does the Skin Roller go into the skin?

A. Dr Roller only sets penetration channels into the epidermis. The roller will only go as deep as the short needles are. See diagram on Medical Stuff page.

Q. How often can the Dr. Roller be used and how long does the roller last?

A. It can be used daily without any harm to the skin. We recommend 5 days out of 7 each week. Some people do a treatment weekly or monthly as well, or only that. With time, even the strongest needle point will lose its sharpness. When this happens the roller should be replaced. Our Skin rollers commonly loose their sharpness after 6-8 months of use. Even the best razor blade or the best scalpel will gradually loose its sharpness, this is an unfortunate fact. However you will be pleased with the use that you will get out of your skin roller. Don’t keep using the roller if the needles become blunted by lack of care of the product.

Q. What is the best way to treat stretch marks?

A. The best way to get rid of stretch marks is to do a VERY FIRM roll once a month with numbing cream (available from our website), this needs 1-2 days healing time. Be patient. Wait 4-6 weeks to see your result as your own collagen will grow and fill in the stretch marks. There should be no down time and no post application pain. You can re-treat then if necessary.

Q. Can I treat my face and arms?

A. All areas of the face, neck and body can be treated.

Q. Can I reuse my Skin Roller?

A. Yes it can be used many times. The average shelf life, with continual use, is 6-8 months.

Q. Can I just buy a Skin Roller with my friend and we use it together?

A. No, never share your Skin Roller due to probable cross infection.

Q. How fast can I expect to see results from using the derma roller. How long do I have to use it to get rid of the stretch marks completely?

A. It all depends on how deep your stretch marks are, if you roll very firmly once a month then wait for the collagen to regrow you may be looking at 3-6 months, so that is just 3-6 treatments. You will see a great improvement after each healing.

Q. What about facial warts or cold sores and using the derma or skin roller?

A. If you have any type of herpes virus dormant or otherwise you cannot use the dermaroller or dermastamp on that area. When treating above lip lines, if you have suffered from herpes complex (cold sores) in the past, make sure the dermaroller does not touch the lips or the cold sores will flare again. Facial warts if dormant may not flair when using the dermaroller but it is not worth the risk.

What’s the difference of Dermaroller between hospital use and home use?

 

The difference between hospital use and home use are the following: the thickness of the needle which is 0.5-2.5mm for hospitals and for home use is 0.25mm. Hospitals also use anesthesia if there were any blood but, repectively anybody can treat it for home use.

 

What microneedling can do for you and what needle length do you need?

 

Enhance the penetration of skin care or hair growth products: Maximum 0.3 mm needle length on the face and 0.5 mm on skin on the rest of the body. Our skin – a protective organ – is almost unpermeable. Dermarolling temporarily enables the absorption of skin care products into the skin.

Fine wrinkles: 1 to 1.5 mm needle length. This is a relatively minor procedure and can be done safely at home, provided you disinfect properly. Dermarolling is a safe alternative for people with skin too thin to have laser treatment.

Individual deep wrinkles: Glabella wrinkles (between the eyebrows) and deep forehead wrinkles: Use our single needle instrument.

Loose skin: 1.5 mm. You can improve loose skin anywhere on the body including the neck, the décolleté, the back of the hands, arms, abdomen, thighs etc. In the early stages of skin laxity, it can postpone or even replace a facelift. Sensitive areas with thin skin such as the neck need only 0.5 mm.

Sun damaged or aging skin: 1.0 to 1,5 mm.

Uneven pigmentation or acne spots: 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm (not to be used on moles!).

Scars: All scar treatment requires a dermaroller with 1.5 mm needles and benefit greatly from our single needle instrument to locally crush the scar tissue deeper and with a greater prick density. Look at some single needle results.

Stretchmarks:  Become less indented, less wide and the original skin color may be partially restored.

Acne scarring: Become less indented.

 

With deep acne scars, 1.5 mm is often not enough and 2.5 mm is required, but this is impossible to do safely at home with a dermaroller. Therefore, we supply a single needle of the right specifications (0.25 mm diameter, long taper, gamma-sterilized) to be used for home needling.

 

Surgical or atrophic scars: (Not keloid scars) – will soften and the original skin color may be partially restored.

 

Hypertrophic burn scars: Hypertrophic or burn scars (not keloids): A 1.5 or 2 mm narrow 3-liner or 1-liner. Combine it with pressure massage: Apply pressure with your fingers onto the scar for approximately 20 seconds, spot for spot. Repeat daily. Perform the pressure massage also immediately after needling or dermarolling the scar.

Skin product absorption with a Dermaroller:

 Derma roller on body instructions:

1. Roll with just the weight of the roller pressing on the skin never apply force.
2. Cleanse body and apply skincare products.
3. Use for 10-15 minutes.
4. With slight pressure roll up and down 4 times in linear/circular directions as shown. Make sure that you cover the entire body using multiple passes.
5. Focus on areas with stretch marks, cellulite, discoloration and scars as well as thighs, buttocks, underside of arms, stomach, areas with hyper/hypo pigmentations and lost elasticity.
6. Use the Roller as part of your daily routine – you can roll every day if you wish, but consider allowing your skin at least a couple of days of rest each week.
7. Never use on open pores.
8. After each use wash with warm water and soap solution.
9. Submerge roller in Hyrogen Peroxide or Achohol to disinfect.

Advantages:

1. Dermaroller helps build up collagen in dermis without pain or discarding epidermis.
2. Using Dermaroller helps open pores immensely which will help a great number of fast result ingredients to pass in a short period of time.
3. Dermaroller will naturally improve wrinkles without irritating the skin artificially.
4. Consistent use of dermaroller can show significant result without any adverse effect.
5. When using dermaroller it is convenient than that of other treatment and is able to show fast results.
6. Facinating results can be expected if support products such as serums, collegan masks are used.

Gently use the dermaroller on affected area while pulling the skin with one hand. When you use the dermaroller change the direction to create more pores.

Sequence:

1. Cleanse your face or any area that needs treatment with warm water. Use a steam towel or a facial steamer which will open the pores and then apply normal skin toner on the skin.

2. After using the dermaroller apply any product or medication. Use it once or more if neccessary.

3. Use the dermaroller 2 times per week/10-15 minutes. When using the dermaroller, use a crisscross motion from top to bottom, from left to right and diagonally. Maximum of ten thousand pores could be easily created in 10 minutes. Absorption rate of 3000% of fuctional cosmetics are expected through out the pores.

4.Lightly pat skin after applying skin care product or medication to create full absorption.

5. Apply moisturizing cream or serum to help keep your skin moisturized. Apply it several times to calm your skin and to avoid skin irratation.

 

Whitening	1~2 Weeks	5~10 Times	0.25~1.0mm
Anti-againg/Stretch marks	1~2 Weeks	5~10 Times	1.0~2.5mm
Scars	3~4 Weeks	3~5 Times	1.5~2.5mm
Atopic dermatitis	1~2 Weeks	3~5 Times	0.25~0.5mm
Acne	1 Week	5~8 Times	1.0~2.5mm
Regeneration	3~4 Weeks	3~5 Times	0.25~0.5mm

Clinical Results:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Microneedling is a simple office-based procedure. The area to be treated is anesthetized with topical anesthesia for 45 minutes to one hour. After preparation of the area, rolling is done 15-20 times in horizontal, vertical, and oblique directions; Petechiae or pin-point bleeding which occurs is easily controlled. After treatment, the area is wetted with saline pads. The entire procedure lasts for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the extent of the area to be treated.

A minimum of six weeks is recommended between two treatments as it takes that long for new natural collagen to form. Three to four treatments may be needed for moderate acne scars.

Microneedling is well tolerated by patients but erythema may be seen after treatment, lasting for 2-3 days. Photoprotection for a week is advised as a routine and local antibiotic creams may be prescribed. The patients can go back to work the very next day.

Apart from erythema, no other side effects have been reported. As the microholes close immediately, postoperative infections do not occur. The procedure is well tolerated and well accepted by the patients, is cost-effective, can be done on all skin types and on areas not suitable for peeling or laser resurfacing, such as near eyes. Microneedling with dermaroller can be combined with other acne scar treatments like subcision, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and fractional resurfacing, thus maximizing the benefits to the patients.

Home-Care dermarollers less than 0.15 mm in length are available for transdermal delivery of substances like lipopeptides and other anti-ageing products. They can be used twice a week for up to one hundred times. After use, the rollers have to be cleaned in hot tap water and shaken dry. Peptide-based roller cleansers are available.

Miniature versions of the dermaroller called dermastamps have been developed. They are used for localized scars, eg. varicella scars and their needles are 2 mm in length with a diameter of only 0.12 mm. The procedure with the derma-stamp can be performed in two minutes.

PRACTICAL TIPS

1. Use good quality instruments—there are many instruments from different companies; using poor instruments may lead to breakage of needles in the skin.
2. Counsel the patient that multiple sessions may be needed.
3. Other treatments such as subcision, punch elevation may need to be combined for optimal results in acne scars.
4. Application of EMLA cream anesthesia can prevent procedure pain and help in performing the procedure properly.
5. Allow an interval of 4-6 weeks between the procedures to get good results.