Not all derma rollers are created equal. Even though they might look the same at first glance, there are in fact huge differences in product quality. Not only are there differences in quality, but there are also huge variations in the accuracy of information available on the internet. Unfortunately it is difficult to know the difference between fact and fiction, without going down the rabbit hole of searching online. So, we are going to set the record straight! Because your safety is important to us, we are going to list some vital do’s and don’ts so that you can maximise the effectiveness of your derma roller, and get the best results possible without damaging your skin.
Don’t Buy Cheap Derma Rollers
The internet is full of cheap, mass-produced, poor quality derma rollers that are sold on eBay or Amazon for next to nothing, and it’s easy to see why: when retailers’ goal is to sell as many units as possible for as little money as possible, – but still make huge profits. They simply have to cut corners on quality.
As tempting as it may be to buy a product for $10-$20 – please stay wary of cheap or very heavily discounted Derma Rollers, as more often than not they will be produced using the lowest quality materials possible, not properly tested, most likely not hygienic and definitely not safe for you in general. An example of this is the use of titanium discs or spikes, instead of medical grade stainless steel. Most of the cheaper rollers cut corners by using discs of spikes, or pointy teeth, not individually placed needles. They are similar to what you might see on a chainsaw. They are usually thicker than real derma rollers and because of this can cause damage and tears to your skin. Usually titanium rollers contain around 540 spikes, which is a classic case of more is not better. A roller with too many needles will ultimately cause unnecessary discomfort, pain and possible bleeding!
Do a Test Patch
Safety first! If you are new to derma rolling, always follow the enclosed instructions carefully. Firstly, test the roller on a small patch of skin for a week to make sure your skin can tolerate the microneedling process. Once you have completed this step, add in your skincare products. By testing the roller with your skincare you can prevent any allergic reactions, inflammation and general skin reactions like excessive dryness, peeling or rashes etc. Because derma rolling pushes active ingredients deeper into your skin, you need to make sure they aren’t going to cause any irritation. If your skin does not respond as desired, discontinue use, change skincare brands, or take a break and try again after your skin has healed.
Do Not Push the Roller into Your Skin
Please do not be fooled into thinking that pushing a derma roller deeper into your skin will yield better results. It won’t. Think of using your roller the same way you would use your razor. If you pushed a razor into your skin you would cut yourself. The roller has been scientifically engineered to specific lengths and very particular parameters. It is simply not necessary to push the roller when using it. Not only will it make derma rolling extremely uncomfortable and painful, but it can cause long term damage to your skin. To use correctly, simply glide the roller over your skin in a vertical, diagonal and horizontal direction for best results.
Do Not Use on Active Acne
Be warned! Never ever use a derma roller or any microneedling device on active acne, rosacea, cold sores or other skin irritations. If you do, the result is likely to be a much bigger problem than you already have. Acne is caused by bacteria combined with excess sebum. By rolling over your acne you will spread the bacteria and cause even more acne and breakouts all over your face. If you have a combination of acne and acne scarring, either wait for your acne to be completely eradicated, or only roll over the scars if they are in a separate area.
If you choose this approach, then make sure you sanitise the roller between every use and allow to dry.
Do Try to Use your Derma Roller at Night
Why? Well here are just a few reasons. Firstly our skin regenerates and heals overnight whilst we are sleeping. By pushing active ingredients from your skincare products deeper into your skin at night, you will get the most benefit from them and will wake up with radiant, glowing skin. Secondly, unfortunately most sunscreens should not penetrate deeply. Sunscreens have been designed to sit on the surface of your skin to protect it. The majority of sunscreens on the market contain harmful ingredients and chemicals that we do not want to push to our deeper skin layers. Doing so may cause irritation and damage our skin cells which in turn can progress the stages of aging and wrinkles. So, if you are religious about applying sunscreen daily then please only roll at night. Alternatively, if you prefer to roll in the morning, then wait for 20 minutes before you apply sunscreen. The reason is, this will allow plenty of time for the micro channels to close and trap the goodness from your other anti aging products.
Do Not Give Up
It’s easy to roll a few times, not see any visible results or improvements and simply give up. Then, become disgruntled and annoyed that you’ve been fooled into buying yet another gimmicky skin tool that does not work! We’ve all been there! Let us set the record straight…derma rolling works! There are many scientific studies and published research articles on the benefits of derma rolling. If you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, then the likely culprits are your over-priced, over – hyped skincare products that don’t deliver the results they promised! This is your sign to throw them in the bin and never look back. Be vigilant, read labels and only buy products with a high percentage of active ingredients ( always at the top of the ingredient list). At Dr. Dermacare we are very transparent about the ingredients in our products, especially the percentage of active ingredients, like Vitamin C for example. That’s why we stand behind our products, and have a money back guarantee that is second to none! We only use the best ingredients, so if you are new to derma rolling we recommend you start with one of our skincare bundles, that way you won’t be disappointed and will get the results you want, quickly.
