What Is Dermaroller?

Derma roller is a tool used to treat stretchmarks. This is a simple device made up of many tiny needles that, when rolled against your skin, create micro-injuries like prickle pins on the surface of the skin. What this does is that it sends collagen and elastin production into overdrive to compensate as it heals—leaving your skin tighter and plumper than it was before. 

How does the derma roller work?

Derma roller for stretchmarks is done by using either a dermapen or a derma roller with thin needles to create punctures of varying depths. When the skin is punctured, a microchannel is created. The body engages the regeneration process to patch up the micro-injury, but the microchannel has an additional function,  it makes a path for special serums which can now penetrate deeper into the skin.

Stretchmarks

Stretchmarks are deep tears or rips through the deep skin layers and contain scar tissue which is tough developed as a result of over-stretched skin beyond its limit. In order to treat or reduce their appearance, micro needling help reduces and heal scars and make them less visible.

derma roller for stretmarks consists of needles and they vary in size too. You need at least 2mm long to penetrate into the scar tissue of the stretch mark.

This is much longer than a home-use roller which is typically 0.2mm to 0.5mm long. Needles of more than 0.3mm / 0.5mm long will reach the nerve endings in the skin and are therefore painful! That’s why we use a local anesthetic in clinic treatments to numb pains during microneedling.

The objective of skin needling is to induce pinprick bleeding of the skin. The bleeding brings various cellular actions (fibroblast cell activity) and materials up through the skin’s layers including skin growth factors. This is the same response the skin makes to an injury and instigates the formation of new skin and therefore collagen.

This collagen formation helps to smooth and fill in a stretch mark.

Stretchmark treatment

Several treatments would be needed depending on the age and depth of the stretch marks, but over time a derma roller for stretchmarks has been proven effective as one of the best remedy for scarring stretchmarks when done well.

For old stretchmarks, dermarollers can be used 4 times weekly consistently to make them less visible while for new or mild stretchmarks a few microneedling will just be fine.

Microneedling

Microneedling is a treatment that can be performed on the skin of the face, scalp, or body, so micro needling stretch marks are definitely possible. In fact, it’s one of the best options out there for fading or reducing stretchmarks.

Microneedling is a skin treatment that involves creating micro-trauma in the skin in order to trigger its regeneration processes, causing the skin to improve in texture, internal structure, integrity, and appearance as a result of all that.

Benefits of Derma-Rolling Stretch Marks

1. Fades unwanted acne scars,

2. Reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and stretch marks. 

3. Induces collagen production in areas with stretch marks.

4. Help rejuvenate the skin.

5. Improve its texture and reduce any purple or pink pigmentation 

What to Expect When Derma-Rolling

Stretchmarks are not a death sentence but rather a skin condition that can make you uncomfortable and have low self-esteem.

It’s certainly not embarrassing to possess what you don’t have control over. We are humans, and our bodies do what they must to keep us living.

How to Prepare for Derma-Rolling

Before starting on my dermarolling on your stretchmarks, firstly,  you need to find a good derma roller and a good ointment to accompany it.

Examples of ointment or sebum you can use are hyaluronic acid,  aloe vera gel, and glycerine. These ones help with soothing and moisturizing the skin surface and absorbing into your pores underneath.

How long does it take for dermaroller to work on stretch marks?

You’ll need to do micro needling or dermarolling your stretchmarks 3-4 times weekly for six to twelve weeks, expect results after at least four to five sessions (or six to seven months). You’ll start seeing improvements after the first two or three procedures, but noticeable differences occur after a few months.

Do derma rollers help with stretch marks?

Dermarolling has been clinically shown to reduce and gradually fade the appearance of scarring-like stretch marks. Dermarollers gently open collagen fibers at the surface as they glide over the skin by breaking up the tough, stringy fibers that makeup scar tissue that result in stretch marks.

How often should I Dermaroll my stretch marks?

You should use a derma roller three to four times a week to see visible results, especially in the abdominal region or the thighs. Consistency is key if you want to really fade stretchmarks.

 How often you derma roll is dependent on the size of your needles, as well as your skin type. If your dermaroller has longer needles, you may only need to derma roll once per month.

How hard should I press dermaroller?

Not to hard just what you can bear or tolerate when using dermaroller on the affected areas so you don’t feel pain. Apply as much pressure as you are comfortable with.

What serum should I use with a derma roller?

You can invest in hyaluronic acid serums as they’re the most effective products that you can put on freshly-rolled skin since their primary ingredient and their effects are extremely potent in helping in skin repair, even hours after treatment. 

Can I use a derma roller without serum?

It’s not advisable, I recommended that you use a serum with a derma roller. It acts as a buffer between the needles and your skin and even increases the absorption while hydrating your skin and reduces friction between the derma roller and your skin.

How do I prepare my skin for derma roller?

To achieve maximum results, make sure that you prepare your skin for the derma rolling session. Wash the specific area with clean water and soap. Then, you may want to exfoliate the area using a chemical peel for a better result. Cleansing and exfoliating increase the faster absorption of the skin.

What should you not use after Dermarolling?

1. Do not use any harsh chemical topical product when micro needling. 

2. Avoid anything that’s scented, 

3. Don’t use glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). 

4. Retinol and vitamin C serum should be avoided for at least the first 48 hours after microneedling.

What size derma roller is best?

This will depend largely on what you’re trying to accomplish. Generally, a needle length of 0.25 mm to 1.0 mm works best. 

How to use a derma roller

Step 1: Disinfect derma roller 

Sanitize your derma roller before using it. 

Step 2: Wash your face

You should wash and cleanse your face using a gentle pH-balanced cleanser. If you’re using a derma roller with needles longer than 0.5 mm, you’ll also need to disinfect the area affected before microneedling.

Step 3: Apply numbing cream

If you can’t tolerate or endure pains because you are scarred by a sharp objects like needles you can apply anesthetics before processing to numb the areas affected. If you use numbing cream, follow the instructions the manufacturer provides, and make sure to completely wipe it if off before you start rolling!

Step 4: Begin dermarolling

Press gently against your stretch mark when using a derma roller.