What is the Dermaroller?

Frequently Asked Questions

The Dermaroller is a cylindrical shaped drum studded with very fine needles. It is a medical device used in micro needling to break down old scar tissue & to stimulate skin cells to proliferate. This cell multiplication results in the formation of new tissue layers of elastin and collagen fibres (neo-collagenesis) as well as in new capillaries for an improved blood supply (neo-angiogenesis). The procedures are called Scar Reduction Therapy (SRT) & Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT).

What is the Dermaroller?

The Dermaroller is a cylindrical shaped drum studded with very fine needles. It is a medical device used in micro needling to break down old scar tissue & to stimulate skin cells to proliferate. This cell multiplication results in the formation of new tissue layers of elastin and collagen fibres (neo-collagenesis) as well as in new capillaries for an improved blood supply (neo-angiogenesis). The procedures are called Scar Reduction Therapy (SRT) & Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT).

What is the difference between Dermaroller and other skin rejuvenation techniques?

In contrast to all ablative techniques like Lasers and Fractional Laser treatments, the Dermaroller stimulates new tissue formation – it acts constructively and the skin remains intact. The skin does not get damaged (unlike other needling devices) and therefore will not go into a wound healing response. The Dermaroller significantly improves atrophic scars & improves skin texture.

What effects does the Dermaroller have on the skin?

The Dermaroller improves the thickness of the dermis as well as the epidermis. This in return improves skin texture and reduces wrinkles. It also has a positive effect on hyper-pigmentation as well as on hypo-pigmentation. Reduces disfiguring scars & acne scars, stimulates new collagen fibres, improves blood supply and harmonises pigmentation.

How is the Dermaroller procedure performed & does it hurt?

The skin is cleaned and afterwards numbed with an appropriate numbing cream so it should not hurt at all. Skin is thoroughly needled in such a way, that each skin part is needled about 15 to 20 times. An even flushing is the best indication for a perfect medical performance.

Can the Dermaroller be performed on any skin colour?

Since Dermaroller does not use thermal heat (unlike IPL & Lasers) it is safe to use on all skin types and all skin colours. There is no risk of post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation.

How often can the Dermaroller procedure be repeated?

For Collagen Induction Therapy we recommend to start with 3 treatments, but with a minimum separation time of 6 to 8 weeks between treatments. For Scar Reduction Therapy an average of 3 to 5 treatments are recommended, with an improvement of 70-80%. Unlike ablative procedures for facial skin only, the Dermaroller can be used on all skin parts of the body (neck, décolleté, arms, legs, etc).

What are the side effects of a Dermaroller procedure?

There are virtually no negative side effects, and none have ever been reported in over 150,000 procedures performed worldwide.

Are there any risks of post-op infections?

Since the tiny pricking channels close within one hour, and provided the procedure is done under clinical conditions, post-op infections are very unlikely.

What is the down time after a Dermaroller treatment?

The inflammatory reaction of the skin is extremely short and fades significantly within hours from redness to pinkish that may last for 12 to 24 hours on average. In order to reduce visible redness, we recommend healing minerals, peptides or hyaluronic acid after the procedure, and to protect the skin with zinc based sun screen. We also recommend the use of mineral makeup to help with the healing.

What should I avoid on my skin?

To ensure the right healing environment, for 2-3 days DO NOT use AHA’s (Glycolic Acid), Retinol, acidic or “active” ingredients.

What should I use on my skin after the Dermaroller treatment?

An Anti-Inflammatory Cleanser to soothe, Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate, Copper to help heal, Zinc to help heal but also to protect.

What are the differences in Dermaroller models?

Principally, there are none - both models (medical and home care) only differ in needle size. While the medical Dermaroller has longer needles - to induce collagen & reduce scars in deeper skin layers, the needles of the Home Care Dermaroller are very short, not more than 0.2 mm. The Home Care Dermaroller serves the following purposes:
a) To enhance active substance through the skin barrier(stratum corneum)
b) To improve and support results after and in between CIT treatments by: stimulating epidermal cells for proliferation that results in a faster renewal cycle of the epidermis and thickens the epidermal cell layers.
The Home Care Dermaroller is NOT suitable for collagen treatments, but it helps to maintain a beautiful skin.

Does the Dermaroller have the same effect like Fractional Laser Therapy?

YES! But the mechanism of action of a Fractional Laser is totally different. The laser beam sets a burn wound that results in necrosis. After an inflammatory process the necrosis transforms into fibrotic tissue in forms of micro scars. Nerve cells are “melted” by the hot laser beam, therefore the treatment is relatively painful. As the doctor cannot see the previous set scars under the epidermis in a follow-up treatment, it is extreme difficult for them to set an even scar pattern.
This is the reason why more treatments are required than initially anticipated. But overall, as reported in clinical trials and besides costly investment in lasers, both therapies have about the same results for facial treatments.