Was wondering how to go about using a 3mm micro needle derma roller on stretch marks? (photo)

These types of stretch marks need a combination of vascular laser, needling and fractional lasers.  Please see an expert.  Best, Dr. Emer.

I would not recommend doing any type of dermal rolling at home at any depth. You can actually cause more scarring to the area. We have treated many patients that have used dermal rollers at home and have scarred their skin. Dermal rollers roll across the skin, once the needle is pierced into the skin as it is being rolled it rips the skin on its way out continually on all areas that are treated. Microneedling is a medical device that is controlled by the medical professional at different depths and speed depending on the area of treatment with the needles moving straight up and down (no ripping of the skin). PRP is always recommended with any microneedling treatment to achieve the best results possible.

Thanks for your question. A dermaroller going to 3mm depth is not something someone should be using at home. Dermarollers in general for this condition are not the treatment of choice. There is a big difference between a dermaroller and a medical microneedling device. As the dermaroller "rolls" it both pierces and drags the skin, creating uneven cuts (think like the edge of a saw)- and the deeper the depth of the needles the more pronounced this will be. A medical microneedling device has the needles moving up and down perpendicular to the skin and at such a speed that by the time the handpiece is moving the needle has retracted  (think movement like a sewing machine up and down at high speed, not dragging through skin). Then there is the question of the quality of the needles, how quickly they will dull, and the fact that most of these dermarollers cannot be sterilized. You are asking for trouble.

Medical microneedling can work nicely on stretch marks, especially when combined with PRP (platelet rich plasma). 



best,

Lisa Vuich, MD