History and background of Microneedling
Skinroller, or Dermaroller, was invented in 1995 by Orentreich and Orentreich. The purpose was to treat Scars by using syringe needles to stimulate the body's own healing process. In 2006, Dr. Desmond Fernandes developed the first modern Dermaroller.
The purpose was to be able to treat a number of different cosmetic and dermatological conditions at a low price. The needles penetrate the outer skin layer and create small holes, which stimulates the body's own production of Collagen and elastin — substances that give the skin its youthful resilience.
Microneedling and increased absorption of active ingredients
One of the most interesting effects of Microneedling is its ability to improve the skin's absorption of topical ingredients. When you roll the skin, thousands of microscopic channels are created in the epidermis. These micro-injuries are small enough not to damage the tissue, but large enough to temporarily increase the skin's permeability (Ablon, 2018).
The skin's outermost layer, the stratum corneum, is a natural Skin Barrier. Microneedling temporarily breaks this barrier, allowing active substances – such as Vitamin C, Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, or tranexamic acid – to reach deeper skin layers (Henry et al., 2008).
In a study comparing the absorption of Vitamin C before and after Microneedling, the results showed that the absorption increased significantly (Fabbrocini et al., 2011).
- Vitamin C & Microneedling: Has shown improved penetration and efficacy after Microneedling (Fabbrocini et al., 2011).
- Hyaluronic Acid & Microneedling: Smaller molecules of HA can travel deeper into the skin after needling, increasing hydration levels in the dermis (Ablon, 2018).
- Retinol & Microneedling: Absorbs more effectively and provides a clearer impact on Wrinkles and Pigmentation when combined with Microneedling (Jeong et al., 2013).
Microneedling scientifically increases the skin's ability to absorb ingredients from skincare products. However, it is important to choose gentle, high-quality products and follow good hygiene.
Different types of Microneedling
A plethora of different Microneedling products have been developed to treat Scars and Wrinkles, promote Skin Renewal, and improve the skin's appearance. At-home products are easy to use, and the treatment is almost entirely painless.
Currently, there are different types of Dermarollers for home use. Some models have 192 needles, while others have more. There are also electric dermapens that stamp the skin automatically, as well as advanced technology like fractional radiofrequency microneedling and LED light.
Studies on Dermarollers
Five clinical studies have been conducted in recent years to investigate how effective Microneedling is on conditions such as actinic keratosis, Pigmentation spots, hyperhidrosis, and Stretch Marks. Researchers have also taken an interest in how skin rolling can stimulate hair growth by increasing blood supply to the hair follicles.
Method
The studies we refer to come from the databases PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane. The keywords used included “microneedling”, “collagen induction”, “reviews”, and “trials”. All studies were on manual Microneedling and included at least 10 test subjects with a clear experimental design.
Results of Microneedling on scars
Several different studies have shown that Microneedling effectively treats Acne Scars. In a 2015 study, skin biopsies showed that Collagen types I, III, and VII had increased by the end of the treatment. Patients reported a total of 51-60% improvement in the appearance of the Scars