POSTED UNDER Derma Roller Reviews
Dermaroller for Acne Scarring
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I'm 38 years old, and I've had significant...
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I'm 38 years old, and I've had significant (boxcar) acne scarring on my cheeks that has bothered me for many years. The scars were difficult to conceal with makeup and were very evident (to others, not just to me). I've done home chemical peels (glycolic and lactic acid) with some improvement in skin texture but not much in the actual scarring. I simply didn't have the money for laser skin resurfacing.
I heard about dermarollering here on RealSelf and decided to research it further. I have access to medical research articles on the dermaroller technique. The science seemed to back it as being an effective and fairly safe way to "trick" the skin into thinking its been injured. The skin then tries to heal itself by thickening the collagen in the skin (shallower scars), and reorganizing itself ( improved scar coloration and softening if scarring).
I've seen very good results so far (4 treatments at 6 week intervals), though it can apparently take 6 or more treatments to see full results. Its a slow process, and you've got to be patient with it. My skin seems much smoother and my scars are much improved (the boxcar scars are more shallow). I've had friends tell me my complexion looks great and ask me what I'm doing. My scars are now easily concealed with a dusting of mineral makeup powder, and they are much less obvious.
The dermaroller treatments are "prickly" but they aren't painful, provided your face is numbed up properly My skin feels normal a few hours afterwards (it feels a bit "sunburned" immediately following dermarollering). 1mm and 0.5 mm rollers were used on my face (the 0.5 on areas with thinner skin), and a 1.5 mm dermastamp was used over the scars on my cheeks.
Keep in mind that it's probably not a good idea to have dermaroller therapy done too frequently...it takes 4-6 weeks for the collagen in the skin to build up in response to the therapy. If you use a dermaroller too often you might harm your collagen production and healing.
One of the articles I read recommended doing dermaroller therapy every 6 weeks, with a glycolic acid peel in between each dermaroller treatment. That's how I've been spacing out my treatments. And I'm very happy with my results so far!
I heard about dermarollering here on RealSelf and decided to research it further. I have access to medical research articles on the dermaroller technique. The science seemed to back it as being an effective and fairly safe way to "trick" the skin into thinking its been injured. The skin then tries to heal itself by thickening the collagen in the skin (shallower scars), and reorganizing itself ( improved scar coloration and softening if scarring).
I've seen very good results so far (4 treatments at 6 week intervals), though it can apparently take 6 or more treatments to see full results. Its a slow process, and you've got to be patient with it. My skin seems much smoother and my scars are much improved (the boxcar scars are more shallow). I've had friends tell me my complexion looks great and ask me what I'm doing. My scars are now easily concealed with a dusting of mineral makeup powder, and they are much less obvious.
The dermaroller treatments are "prickly" but they aren't painful, provided your face is numbed up properly My skin feels normal a few hours afterwards (it feels a bit "sunburned" immediately following dermarollering). 1mm and 0.5 mm rollers were used on my face (the 0.5 on areas with thinner skin), and a 1.5 mm dermastamp was used over the scars on my cheeks.
Keep in mind that it's probably not a good idea to have dermaroller therapy done too frequently...it takes 4-6 weeks for the collagen in the skin to build up in response to the therapy. If you use a dermaroller too often you might harm your collagen production and healing.
One of the articles I read recommended doing dermaroller therapy every 6 weeks, with a glycolic acid peel in between each dermaroller treatment. That's how I've been spacing out my treatments. And I'm very happy with my results so far!
Replies (4)
I have got a similar problem and would like to try the derma roller. Which one do you use? Stainless steel or titanium. Thanks
I use titanium roller and stamps, but I don't know that there is any difference between titanium and stainless steel in terms of effectiveness (at least, there is no scientific data to back up which might be better).
Perhaps there are people out there whose skin is sensitive to one or the other, I don't know. For me, the titanium seems to work fine.
I need to ask u about my dermaroller,it's 540 needle and 1.5mm .when I rolled on my face ,the needles did not penetrate my skin.I don't know if I have to add more pressure it will work??!!
after the rolling ,my face becomes red .and I didn't use any numbing cream
You know your roller is working when skin turns pink and (possibly) show a few spots of blood here or there (though bleeding doesn't necessarily mean you're doing it "right"). I'd say that if your skin is turning pink and feels "sunburned" after rollering then you're fine. You may or may not feel the needles entering your skin (hopefully not if you're effectively numbed up). You might try a little more (gentle) pressure + see if you find that to be more effective. If you're still not satisfied, then maybe try a different brand of roller.
Oh...and DO order some numbing cream. (unless you LIKE discomfort!)
thank you for your reply :)
I'm confused about the "Dermastamp" , why is that used separately and what is your advise on instructions using the stamp? My instincts tell me that it is used for the desperate scars (which I just happen to have on my brow line). Is the stamp as effective as the roller or does it need to be used more frequently? I apologize for throwing all these questions out at you all at once but your previous reviews were very helpful and I'm excited to start my attempts when my Amazon delivery arrives and now it looks like I might need to add to my order. Thanks for your helpful advise.
Hi! Dermastamps are used to "work on" small, specific areas like depressed acne scars. You use it before using a dermaroller over the area, so that you can more easily see where you're stamping (b/c the skin turns pink). I first use a 1.5 mm dermastamp on the acne scars on my cheeks. Then I use a 1 mm dermaroller over my entire face (including the area I just stamped). Hope that clarifies things a bit!
Oh, and dermastamps don't need to be used more freuently...just use them when you use the dermaroller. It's not necessary to use a stamp, its just easier to use over small "problem" areas. To use a stamp you line it up over the area and then press straight down...then lift straight up. Repeat a few times. That's it. Remember...don't dermaroller or dermastamp too often. Every 4 to 6 weeks seem to be best for collagen growth.
Great tips, thank you for sharing!!