What is Dermarolling ?
Dermarolling also known as micro-needling is a technique that makes tiny wounds in the skin which then heal, the idea of making little punctures does sound a bit daunting but when done correctly and carefully it really can do wonders for most skin concerns.
The point of dermarolling is to ultimately increase the speed at which we produce new skin cells which means new skin! Our bodies reaction to this tiny wound is to send a flow of blood and collagen to start healing so this will help with clearing acne scars, hyperpigmentation, tightening pores, evening out skin tones as well as reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Note: people suffering with certain forms of acne should not dermalroll as it can make it worse.
Making the microscopic wounds stimulates the production of collagen, which we usually reduce the production off in our twenties. Collagen is what keeps the skin looking plump, youthful and wrinkle free.
The other benefit of this technique is that the tiny wounds allow products to be absorbed deeper into the skin meaning we get more benefit out of them.
What Size Needle Do I Need?
0.25mm-0.5mm: This is probably your safest option if your not sure if this technique is for you. It is best for reducing pore size and for fine lines. This can be used 1 to 3 times a week
1mm: This can be used for mild acne scars, scarring, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation you can use this every 10 to 14 days. This set contains three different length needles to work your way up or use a longer needle on specific problem areas. (£16.99)
1.5mm: This is for very deep acne scars, use this once every 3 to 4 weeks and with a lot of care.
1.5+mm: can be used by a licensed professional for more severe skin concerns and wouldn’t be a good idea to try at home.
The longer the needles, the deeper the wound and that means the longer the recovery time and ofcourse if the skin looks like it is still healing it would not be a good idea to use your dermaroller again. Let the skin fully recover before doing it again no matter how tempting it is as this will cause more damage than good.
How To Use
Step 1: Clean the dermaroller with an alcohol spray to avoid skin infections.
Step 2: Cleanse your skin to remove impurities with a gentle wash, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (£10.99)is currently a personal favourite at the moment with or without a dermal roller. It is non-irritating and helps keep the natural pH of the skin intact. It also stops pores from getting blocked.
Step 3; Tone your skin to ensure the pH is balanced. This Pixi Glow Toner (£20) is amazing as it contain aloe vera which calms the skin and ginseng which promotes the movement of blood around the face.
Step 4: Roll horizontally over the forehead, cheeks, chin back and forth. Then, go vertically on the forehead up and down. Finally, go diagonally across the face. move from the center outward through the face. On the nose, you work downward. Roll in one direction 6 to 8 times and make sure you lift the roller after each stroke with even and gentle movements.
Step 5: Apply a repairing serum or your usual skincare routine
If you want to get the most out of your skin care products now is the time
Step 6: Clean the derma roller with the alcohol spray before storing it for next time.
Best products to use after
Applying products that boost collagen production are key for glowing skin. Best ingredients to look out for are hyaluronic acid, vitamin C (use this with caution if not tried before as it can be irritating) niacinamide and Epidermal growth factors. Retinol should be avoided.
You can also try face masks with these ingredients.
My go to would be the PIXI vitamin C Mask, it instantly makes your face feel refreshed and glowy, it also contains caffiene and Ferulic acid so it removes puffiness. I feel like it actually does what it says does and its only £10 for 3 masks.
I love the Snail Bee High Content Mask £31.99 as it addresses most skin issues. It has all the ingredients for boosting collagen, improving barrier function, improving skin tone and evening out skin tone.
The Garnier Ultralifting Anti-ageing mask (£10.64) contains a mix of hyaluronic acid and grape seed extract that will work wonderfully to leave your skin plump and toned. It is perfect for reducing fine lines and giving a boost of moisture. It is also great value for money as there are four in each pack.
Products To Try
These are some of the best options I have found for Vitamin C that i would buy over and over again. The Drunk Elephant C-Firma(£99.90) contains 15% vitamin C and ferulic acid to get rid of signs of ageing, it also has Pumpkin ferment and pomegranate extract that clear dead skin cells revealing a clearer complexion before the derma roller’s effects kick in. It also has a nice dose of hyaluronic acid.
This Skinceautical’s C E Ferrulic Serum(129.60) is probably one of the best investments you can make for the long term health of your skin, it is a perfect mix of vitamin C, vitamin E and Ferrulic acid which is an anti-oxidant. It leaves your skin leaving silky soft and you can feel reassured that it is preventing further damage occurring by the environment.
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% (£9.99) is a very good alternative for anyone who doesn’t want to splash out quite so much it has a good strength of vitamin C to brighten the skin with hylaruonic acid to make it feel plump and youthful.
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