Dermaroller™ skin regeneration and repair

What is Dermaroller™?

Skin resurfacing can be traced thousands of years back through history. The ancient Egyptians used chemical peels (Cleopatra’s beauty may well have been due to the AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) in her famous milk baths!), and the Chinese were using a skin-needling technique at around the same time.

The principle of Dermaroller™ is based on that same, age-old skin-needling. In 1994, Dr Philippe Simonin (a Swiss-French dermatologist) first published results of his pioneering treatment of introducing micro needles into wrinkled and scarred skin and so began modern skin needling techniques. Now also loosely termed as the ‘credit crunch laser’, this treatment targets the mesoderm or ‘middle’ layer of skin. In the process of recovering from this ‘microtrauma’, the skin begins to produce more collagen (hence the term ‘collagen-induction therapy’), resulting in smoother, younger-looking skin.

Dermaroller™ is a small, sterile, single use device, comprising of a stainless steel handle housing a small roller fitted with sterile micro needles. When gently rolled onto tired, sun-damaged, sagging or wrinkled skin, the tiny needles initiate the skin’s natural regeneration process. The technique does not require the use of any harsh chemicals, lasers or acid peels, meaning that recovery is very swift and ‘downtime’ is minimised.

How does it work?

The Dermaroller™ technique works by inducing the production of collagen in the skin. One of the most striking differences between younger and older skin is the reduction in collagen as skin ages. When rolled across the skin, the Dermaroller™ medical-grade needles create microscopic channels in the upper layer of skin, all the way through to the dermis.

These small puncture wounds stimulate the skin into producing new collagen and elastin, which smooth, soften and plump-up your complexion, resulting in a more youthful appearance. By lightly irritating the skin, it works like many other more invasive skin rejuvenation techniques, such as a chemical peel. However Dermaroller™ does not remove the upper layer of skin (the epidermis) which allows the deeper, damaged skin to be protected while it heals. This helps to speed up recovery time, while minimising the risk of infection.

The micro-channels created are also an excellent way to get moisturising creams, serums and gels deep into the skin. Gradually, as the skin completes its natural renewal cycle and gently exfoliates away, a younger-looking, brighter and tighter complexion is exposed. Although this treatment may sound extreme, all of this rejuvenation happens at a cellular level and cannot be seen with the naked eye – the only thing you, and everybody else, will notice is how radiant you will look.

Where can you have it?

Dermaroller™ is an ideal solution for improving the complexion, reducing stretch marks, acne scars and fine lines. Dermaroller™ can significantly brighten and even out skin tone, it can smooth, tighten and soften lines in those areas in need of a little lift. It can be used safely on the face, chest, arms, hands, legs and stomach.

For skin rejuvenation and a more glowing, youthful appearance, Dermaroller™ can be applied to the forehead, cheeks and chin. The appearance of fine lines and hyperpigmentation on the décolletage may also benefit from a course of treatment. Stretch marks on most areas of the body from weight-loss, weight-gain or post-pregnancy can all be dramatically reduced with a course of therapy.

The tell-tale signs of aging found on the back of hands can also be improved by the unique Dermaroller™ technology. As well as a highly effective treatment in its own right, DermarollerTM can also be an extremely effective component when combined with other therapies. For example, skin correction with the Obagi Nu-Derm System followed by a course of DermarollerTM treatments can produce truly excellent results, and DermarollerTM in combination with fillers (especially on the hands and décolletage) is very impressive.

What is the procedure?

After your initial consultation, we may be able to begin the treatment immediately or, if you prefer, we can book an appointment for a later date.

To begin the therapy, you will need to remove any make-up before I apply a topical anaesthetic cream (please advise if you have ever had a reaction to this type of cream). Once the anaesthetic agent is working (around 30 minutes) and you are comfortable, I will unpack your sterile, single use Dermaroller™ and begin to gently roll it in a ‘cross-hatch’ fashion across the area to be treated.

Depending on the size and placement of area, this may take between fifteen and forty five minutes, and I will advise you of this at your consultation. You should not experience any discomfort, but may notice a light pressure and perhaps a slight tingling sensation during the treatment. During the process, it is only natural that there may be a very small amount of bleeding. This is nothing to worry about and you will not scar or have any noticeable markings from this. Once your treatment is complete, I will cleanse the area with an antiseptic cream, and follow this with the supplied Chiroxy moisturising cream.

You may notice that immediately after the therapy, your pores look slightly enlarged; this is extremely temporary and should recede within minutes. In anticipation of this, we allow an extra fifteen minutes at the end of the treatment where we can recap the aftercare process and, when you are ready, you are free to continue your day. One of the unique points of this procedure is that there is no physical down-time;

however please be aware that there will be some redness for up to three hours after the therapy. You may also feel some tightness or dryness and a sensation like mild sunburn in the first twenty-four hours. And you may also experience some itching and flaking of skin for a few days. This is all completely normal and is just part of the natural recovery process. However, the regular application of the Chiroxy aftercare cream (supplied) can help combat these side-effects. The most important precaution to take is to use a high factor sun cream (which we will supply you with).

What is the aftercare regime?

For the following forty-eight hours after the procedure, we recommended that you cleanse your face with tepid water only. Any astringent cleansers or toners are likely to cause you some discomfort as the skin is very sensitive at this time. Please ensure that your hands are clean before touching the affected area, to help minimise any risk of infection and to encourage the skin to heal. It is extremely important that you keep your skin well hydrated and protected from the sun after the therapy. We will provide you with a broad-spectrum sun cream (SPF 50 Heliocare Cream) which is to be applied on a daily basis for two weeks. We strongly advise that you do not expose yourself to bright sunlight and avoid sunbeds for a minimum of two weeks after the treatment. It is recommended that make-up is not worn for twelve hours following treatment.

How often can it be done?

The full effect of each treatment should be complete and apparent by six weeks. This is the standard amount of time that it takes for your skin to complete one renewal cycle, an essential part of this treatment. To allow skin to recover, and for maximum efficiency, treatments will be spaced between six to eight weeks apart. This timeframe is a guideline and you may find that your healing time is quicker or slower than this. We are happy to provide free regular check-ups on your progress and advise you on the next planned treatment.

How long does it last?

The collagen that is produced is long-lasting and the full effect will be apparent by six weeks, but a marked difference may be noticed in the first seven days. This treatment does not slow down the aging process (skin will continue to regenerate over a period of around six weeks) but it can help to reset the clock by revealing fresher, brighter, younger looking skin. A ‘standard’ treatment regime would involve 2 or 3 treatments initially at 6-week intervals, followed by one treatment per year. But as skin does continue to age, and everyone’s skin is different, up to three courses a year may be needed in order to keep skin looking healthy and radiant.

How do I book my consultation?

I hope this information has proved useful. If you have any other questions that I’ve not covered, or to book your free, no-obligation consultation, either call us on the numbers listed below (and don’t be afraid to leave a message if we’re busy!) or send us an email and we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can. We look forward to seeing you!

Telephone: 01732 644 744
Mobile: 07504 401 014

Further information and common questions regarding Dermaroller™ treatment are included below but please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Are there any reasons not to have Dermaroller™ treatment?
Are there there any advantages over a chemical peel or laser resurfacing?
Can I buy Dermaroller™ for home use?
Can Dermaroller™ go wrong?
Does the Dermaroller™ treatment hurt?