Info: 0.25 mm Micro Needle Roller for the Skin, with Protective Case
If you've ever been cut or skinned your knees, you know the skin can rebuild itself. Microneedling is a way of 'tricking' it into rejuvenating itself by inducing a series of controlled wounds which are so tiny and superficial they scarcely count as injuries, yet can stimulate the production of more collagen, elastin, and other skin growth factors to 'repair' it.
Info: 0.25 mm Micro Needle Roller for the Skin, with Protective Case
If you've ever been cut or skinned your knees, you know the skin can rebuild itself. Microneedling is a way of 'tricking' it into rejuvenating itself by inducing a series of controlled wounds which are so tiny and superficial they scarcely count as injuries, yet can stimulate the production of more collagen, elastin, and other skin growth factors to 'repair' it.
Product Notes:
In addition its stimulating properties, microneedling also works to enhance the absorption of other rejuvenating skincare products such as hyaluronic acid – a combination which can help produce a more youthful glow and diminish discoloration and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Micro needling, also known as collagen induction therapy (CIT) or percutaneous collagen induction (PCI), is a relatively recent cosmetic procedure which first emerged in the late 1990s as an alternative to laser treatments that wouldn't lead to hyperpigmentation.
It entails applying a series of tiny needles straight into the top layer(s) of the skin to improve the tone, texture, and even the coloring of the skin by stimulating the local production of various skin growth factors, which culminates in the formation of more collagen and elastin in the skin, which can improve its plumpness and elasticity and reduce the size of pores and fine lines, among other things.
Of course, there are a number of microneedling devices available, including "dermapens," but the ones used by licensed dermatologists and aestheticians tend to have much larger needles (as much as 2.5mm long, to use on stretch marks on the body) which have had some success in breaking up acne or other scars to rebuild the areas to be far less noticeable), but they have much greater risks of inducing pain or causing skin damage or infections, if not used properly.
Consequently, home versions like this use much tinier needles – just 0.25mm long, in this case – which will hardly cause any pain at all, and relatively little short-term redness and inflammation, if used correctly (still, you may want to use it just before going to bed rather than at the start of your day), yet will still be able to help diffuse blemishes and dark spots; dissipate redness in problem areas; diminish fine lines, wrinkles, and enlarged pores; and plump up, smooth out, and resurface the skin – particularly when used in conjunction with skincare moisturizers, oils, and serums designed for those purposes, which will be better able to penetrate the outer layer and get absorbed by the other layers of the skin, to do their work.
This device is about 13 cm (5-1/4 inches) long. The mint green-coloured portion of the roller head containing the eight rings of needles is 13 mm wide.
Suggested Usage - How to Micro Needle:
Step 1
Ensure the roller head is clean before beginning; it should be disinfected by soaking it in something like 70% isopropyl alcohol for 5 to 10 minutes before use.
Step 2
Wash your face very well (so you don't end up pushing contaminants into the epidermis). Some suggest you start with a gentle pH-balanced cleanser, perhaps even twice, then use a toning astringent like that 70 percent isopropyl alcohol to degrease it and remove any residual oils, makeup, or dirt.
Step 3
The actual rolling: The idea is to roll the needles evenly along the skin and apply mild pressure so they lightly puncture the outer layer at a 90-degree angle and quickly withdraw (like studded tires).
Try to make skin taut while doing so (either by opening your jaw, or by drawing down on nearby areas with the fingers on your other hand). Although the actual directions vary slightly depending on the source, the consensus appears to be that each area of your face should be gone over multiple in an asterisk pattern, to cover all four directions (horizontally, vertically and diagonally).
Step 4
Rinse your face when you're done, using only clean water, and pat it dry with a clean pad.
Step 5
Follow-up with a skincare serum, cream, or moisturizer, which will now be able to penetrate deeper and become more effective.
Step 6
Wash the derma roller (some say with just hot water, others, with dishwasher soap), and soak it again in that 70% isopropyl alcohol for another ten minutes.
Step 7
Put the derma roller back in its protective case, so the needles won't get caught up in something or damaged between uses.
Suggested Frequency
Some counsel starting with once a week, and then build up to doing it twice weekly. Note, it can take up to six months for the collagen production began by this process to fully resolve itself, so don't expect the final results right away.
Warnings:
There are several conditions and/or areas where dermarolling is not advised, and you should also avoid using some skincare products with it.
Some have cautioned several groups against it, altogether: those with eczema, psoriasis, or a history of blood clots.
Those with certain other skin conditions that can be easily spread to other parts of the face such as active acne, warts, or infected skin are also cautioned to either consult a healthcare provider first before trying it, or to avoid derma rolling those areas of the face until they are in a less acute phase.
To reduce the chances of irritation, certain products should also be avoided: the acne medication Accutane (Isotretinoin); items containing retinol (stop taking them at least 5 days before dermarolling; and using brightening ingredients like vitamin C or chemical exfoliants (like glycolic and lactic acids) too soon after rolling (better to wait at least a day before resuming them). You should also avoid immersing yourself in 'germy' water such as swimming pools or natural bodies of water for at least a day.