WHAT IS A DERMA ROLLER? HOW DO I USE A DERMA ROLLER? DO THEY WORK?

Avariation on the popular in-clinic treatment, the derma roller is at the epicentre of the microneedling movement – one that’s continuing to grow as ongoing quarantine regulations around professional beauty treatments have us considering more DIY beauty options. And it’s no surprise given the benefits it boasts: skin healing, pore and wrinkle reduction and a promise to fix pigmentation, to name a few. But when needles are part of the equation, people are going to ask questions …

A derma roller looks and functions like a paint roller, except it’s less fluffy and more spiky. The handheld device is made with a cylindrical end sporting tiny microneedles around its circumference. These come in different lengths, usually between 0.2mm and 1mm, for different levels of intensity.

As with the use of any beauty tool, you should first cleanse your face thoroughly as this prevents the needles from spreading bacteria. Then apply an essence or toner to help skin stay soft and prepped. Gently work the derma roller with one hand in a systematic, horizontal approach from the centre of your face outwards and on both sides. Start at your forehead, work your way down to the chin and avoid the eye area.

The theory is derma rollers create controlled injuries to the skin in the form of micro punctures. This sends signals to your body for a boost in collagen and elastin production. Numerous studies show an improvement for a range of skin conditions such as acne scarring, melasma and hair loss along with overall plumping and firming of the skin. However, the studies admit larger controlled clinical trials are required for more concrete conclusions.