What Is A Dermaroller & What Are Its Benefits?

Before we explain what derma rolling is, we need to explain what a derma roller itself is. A derma roller is a handheld roller-device covered in microneedles – needles ranging in length from 0.25 mm to 1.5m – which is rolled over the skin. This is done in order to create tiny punctures on the skin which triggers skin repair, leading to the creation of new collagen. A bodily protein made up of amino-acids, collagen is the part of the connective tissue that helps in firmness, strength, suppleness, and elasticity in skin.

Therefore, the short-term wounding of the skin is intended to trigger the production of a protein that will actually in turn strengthen the skin to a healthier level than before. Think of derma rolling as you would think of weight training and working out – you create small tears in your muscles so that the muscle is repaired and made stronger than before. Not a perfect parable or comparison, but you get the idea.

Now, derma rolling benefits aren’t just gained in the needling and resulting repair of the skin. Derma rolling is capable of exposing deeper layers of your skin to the benefits of various topical ointments, natural oils, treatments, and products, leading to greater effectiveness and therapeutic effect. In other words, after derma rolling, your skin will be more susceptible to the effects of anything that comes into contact with it, based on the increased exposure to the vital most layers of the skin. Therefore, any and all skin treatments or supplements (such as avocado oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, or jojoba oil) could be enhanced in effectiveness if applied after derma rolling.

However, this is a bit of a two-way street; after derma rolling, skin is generally at least mildly irritated, and just as vulnerable in terms of exposure to skin-harming elements and products. Therefore, it’s important to never (ever!) try a new skin product after derma rolling. The reality is, we never know exactly how our skin might react to a new product or ingredient, and if the reaction is a negative one, this will only be exacerbated by the skin being freshly needled and exposed.

 It’s also important to note that, in this same vein, you should remember not to panic to initial skin irritation and redness following derma rolling! Sadly, this sort of a skin-reaction is to be expected in many cases – the skin, having been freshly ‘wounded’, needs to get worse before it gets better. The shorter the needle length, the lesser the irritation is likely to be, and results will generally vary depending on the person. Your skin is also likely to have increasingly diminished reactions to derma rolling, so keep at it and your redness and irritation is sure to wear down faster.

Lastly, patience is a virtue across the board when derma rolling: you should only start to see improved skin after five or more ‘sessions’. Don’t give up if your skin isn’t looking as healthy as can be after just one ‘session’! It takes time for collagen to work its magic, and your patience will certainly be rewarded!

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING A DERMAROLLER?

 Although we have detailed the benefits of derma rolling to some extent above, the truth is that their benefits are plentiful and couldn’t be contained within a how-to paragraph. Whether you are someone who suffers from acne, dry skin, weak skin, scarring, aged-looking skin, and more – it’s hard to imagine a skin ailment that cannot be remedied or at the least improved via derma rolling.

With that being said, derma rolling should never be performed on any kind of open wound or skin blemish. It would be counterproductive to say the least to puncture or further inflame existing wounds – allow irritated areas of the skin before using your dermaroller. Our top-5 benefits of derma rolling outside of the inherently obvious are as follows:

• Premature Aging

Not dissimilar to treating wrinkles, derma rolling has the capability to prevent and undo premature aging of the skin via triggering of collagen and elastin growth. By thickening, repairing, strengthening, and upping the elasticity of skin, derma rolling can have an anti-aging effect by giving skin a stronger, more youthful appearance – which is why it is one of the most frequently turned to skin treatments for anti-aging.

• Hyperpigmentation

A condition in which parts of the skin become darker in color than the surrounding skin, hyperpigmentation is highly noticeable and can make those suffering from it feel self-conscious and insecure. Luckily for those of us unfortunate enough to be dealing with hyperpigmentation, there is derma rolling. By helping to shed the top most layer of skin and produce melanocyte, derma rolling can diminish the effects of and even eliminate hyperpigmentation.

• Pore Size

Clogged and enlarged pores are not only unattractive, they can lead to great problems such as an increasingly acne-damaged layer of skin, blackheads, oily skin, and more. Often located on the nose and around the cheeks, derma rolling can help to reduce the size of enlarged pores by, again, producing collagen, as well as by thickening the epidermis.

DERMAROLLER FOR HAIR LOSS AND GROWTH

In addition to the many benefits which can be taken advantage of for the sake of your skin, derma rolling can be performed on the scalp in order to help combat and reverse the effects of hair loss. Rogaine for men or women isn’t your only option, here! There are two different ways in which derma rolling can be performed on hair – singularly, or in conjunction with hair loss medications in order to facilitate absorption.

Without hair-care products, derma rolling can promote hair growth by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, thereby also inhibiting proteins that cause hair loss. As was described in regards to skin, derma rolling can also help to increase absorption on different areas, which would help the scalp absorb treatments such as minoxidil more easily and to improved effect.