A common question we get is: "How often should I use my dermaroller, also known as Skinroller, Skin Roller or skin roller?"
The interval for how often you should use your dermaroller is highly individual, and something you should consult about or carefully test your way forward with. In this post, we go through the basics of how often you should use your dermaroller depending on the area of use.
What is a dermaroller?
A dermaroller is a handheld beauty tool. Dermarollers are available with different needle lengths and designs. There are high-quality dermarollers with individual needles, but also cheaper variants that can damage the skin. A dermaroller is used to create small microscopic injuries to the skin that trigger the skin's natural healing process. When the skin repairs itself, natural growth factors are released, and the production of collagen and elastin is promoted.
The instructions below are developed for use with Skinroller Pro, our best-selling dermaroller in Sweden.
How often should you use your dermaroller?
Understanding the right frequency for using your dermaroller is crucial to achieving optimal results without overloading the skin. According to leading research in microneedling, it is crucial to give the skin sufficient time for recovery between cosmetic treatments to stimulate collagen production and avoid unnecessary inflammation.
Dermaroller for the scalp
Do you suffer from telogen hair loss, bald spots or thinning hair growth? A dermaroller helps the scalp to stimulate blood circulation and awaken dormant hair follicles.
- Dermaroller 0.25 mm: Use daily to improve the absorption of serums and increase blood circulation.
- Dermaroller 0.5 mm: Use once a week for a deeper cosmetic treatment that promotes the activation of hair follicles.
Dermaroller for scars
To treat acne scars, pitted scars or scars from injuries:
- Dermaroller 0.5 mm (superficial scars): Use a maximum of 1-2 times per month.
- Dermaroller 1.0 mm (deeper scars): Use a maximum of 1 time per month.
Dermaroller for increased glow
To boost the skin's natural glow and create a more even skin tone:
- Dermaroller 0.25 mm: Use daily.
We at Skinroller recommend that you use your dermaroller a maximum of 1-2 times a week (for needle lengths over 0.5 mm). If you are a beginner in microneedling, we recommend that you start with Skinroller Pro 0.25 mm to gradually accustom the skin. The skin should not become too red and the recovery should not affect your everyday life.
Can you speed up the results by rolling more often?
If you use your dermaroller or go for salon cosmetic treatments too often, you will not achieve the desired results such as skin rejuvenation, collagen stimulation and revitalization of the skin.
It will neither speed up the process nor give you faster results.
A risk of overworking the skin is that it rather inhibits the processes we wish to achieve with a dermaroller.
The most important thing is to trust the cosmetic treatment plan and have patience. The process of skin renewal can continue for several weeks up to months after each cosmetic treatment. This is something that is completely unique and fantastic about microneedling in particular.
Your skin will improve and strengthen continuously, even if you cannot see it with the naked eye. Clear results come over time, therefore patience is important during your cosmetic treatment.
Signs of overworked skin
A damaged skin barrier affects the skin's ability to protect itself and can manifest in several ways. It is very common to overwork the skin with strong acids and active ingredients. Here are some common signs:
- Hypersensitivity
- Dry and tight skin
- Excessive redness
- Tenderness or itching
- Flaking
- Lack of glow
- Can cause flare-ups of breakouts, eczema etc.
After your microneedling routine, it is important to use mild, moisturizing products and avoid over-treating with exfoliation or active ingredients that stress the skin unnecessarily. Also avoid exercise, sauna and direct UV exposure after your cosmetic treatment. If you are going to be in the sun, always use sunscreen.
How long does it take for the skin to rebuild?
The recovery time or convalescence after your dermaroller routine should not affect your everyday life too much.
You may experience redness the same evening you have rolled, and it may sting slightly, like a mild sunburn.
The days after, you may feel a little drier than usual, but this is completely normal and transient.
Your skin will get used to it, and these experiences will be shortened.
Should you, however, suddenly become dry after rolling, despite having used it for a longer time, there is no danger.
The skin is a living organ and can react differently depending on seasons, life changes, lifestyle and medication.
How does the skin react after microneedling?
Up to 24 hours: Slight redness and some swelling.
1-2 days: The skin may feel tight, slightly red and dry. Possible purging can occur in the form of small bumps.
2-3 days: Slight flaking may occur.
3-4 days: The skin may feel very dry.
4-5 days: Fully recovered skin with normal function.
You may also experience that the skin itches, but there is no danger, rather a sign that the skin is recovering.
All of this is completely normal.
What should you keep in mind after microneedling?
After you have rolled, aftercare is just as important as hygiene before the cosmetic treatment. This is important to avoid unwanted reactions such as irritation, inflammation or infection, as well as not to inhibit the healing process. When you buy a dermaroller from us, Clean Derma Roller Cleanser is always included.
You should follow these steps after you have rolled the skin:
- Moisturize the skin with clean hands and adapted products intended for microneedling.
- Do not touch your face until the next day.
- Change pillowcases.
- Change towels.
- Wash your makeup tools such as brushes and sponges.
- Avoid strenuous physical exercise for 24 hours.
- Avoid sauna, jacuzzi, hot baths, bathing in chlorine/pools and the sea for 72 hours.
- Avoid UV exposure for 72 hours, always use sunscreen year-round.
- Avoid tanning beds completely.
- Avoid peeling or exfoliation for 48 hours.
- Always use sunscreen during the daytime year-round.
- Other powerful skincare routines at a salon, including fillers, botox or powerful peels (wait 14 days).
- Self-tanner is not recommended too close to the cosmetic treatment, neither before nor after.
How to treat specific conditions like scars and hair loss
To treat scars requires patience and continuity. It is advantageous to treat the scar during autumn and winter time.
We recommend that you roll your scar 1-2 times a week, depending on needle length.
All scars take different amounts of time to reduce. This depends on lifestyle, how long the scar has been there as well as other factors such as medication, stress and age.
A tip is to use surgical tape on larger surgical scars if you are in the sun. It will help the cosmetic treatment along, as it protects the skin effectively.
Increasing hair growth is something that takes time, at least 6-12 months to see results. We recommend that you roll daily with your dermaroller for the scalp. This stimulates and increases hair growth, especially in combination with a hair serum that promotes it.
If you want to be even more dedicated, you can also take hair tablets containing Biotin.
Microneedling at home vs. at a salon
Microneedling for home use and microneedling at a salon are two types of cosmetic treatments that should not be compared directly. Microneedling at a salon is more comprehensive and often focuses on larger issues, where a trained practitioner is required to safely perform the cosmetic treatment.
Sometimes a more comprehensive cosmetic treatment is required which can also entail slight bleeding to treat certain conditions. That is something you absolutely should not try at home.
Microneedling for home use focuses primarily on increasing the absorption of active ingredients in your skincare routine.
It contributes to skin rejuvenation and a stronger skin that can withstand external stresses, which in turn leads to many benefits.
Some benefits are that the skin is able to keep viruses and bacteria away in a much more effective way, which in turn can lead to a reduced amount of inflammation. You get a more even skin tone and above all, the skin looks healthier.
Therefore, be careful with how you use your dermaroller at home. Make sure to follow all restrictions and have good aftercare. Use adapted skincare that is intended for microneedling, and evaluate whether you need professional help at a salon or can treat your condition at home.
Regardless, microneedling at home will be beneficial, as it contributes to a stronger skin. A stronger skin will also give you better results during cosmetic treatments even at a salon.
Do not forget that a strong skin is a healthy and thriving skin.
Kind regards,
Matilda
Authorized Skin Therapist Skinroller
