All Topics, Beauty

Derma Roller | The At Home Beauty Tool That Will Make Your Skin Look Better

I won’t lie, when I first received my derma roller I was anxious. The very principle of rolling 200 tiny needles over your face would be nerve-wracking for most of us. Nevertheless, I’ve taken extreme measures in the name of skincare before. I certainly wasn’t about to back down and miss out on using such a hyped product. 

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE DERMA ROLLER

I’ve already mentioned that a derma roller is a slightly scary, needled handheld device. But before you start visualising old age torture devices and scaring yourself, the needle sizes only range from 0.5mm to 2.5mm.

The microneedles are designed to trigger a natural healing process which encourages new, healthier tissue.

THE BENEFITS OF DERMA ROLLING

Gently rolling the handheld device over your face promotes smoother skin. The benefits vary depending on which size needle you opt for but generally they can help with reducing wrinkles, skin hyperpigmentation, scars, uneven skin, stretch marks, and even hair loss. If any of these needs are specific to you then you can find out which size you’d need using the Needle Size Guide.

THE 1.0mm NEEDLE

For my first derma roller, I chose the 1.0mm as I wanted to start quite small to ease myself into the idea. Each needle size comes with its own set of recommendations for accompanying product and frequency of use. The following information is based solely on the 1.0mm needle and my experiences with it. If you’re using a different needle size then please see the appropriate Derma Roller System recommendations.

The 1.0mm is the only size that claims to offer both blemish reduction and pore refining treatment. It also boasts cell regeneration, anti-aging, and enhanced nutrient absorption benefits. In layman’s terms, enhanced nutrient absorption means that the derma rolling process increases the efficiency of skincare products. The needles create microchannels which allow skincare products to penetrate more deeply, increasing effectiveness by up to 40 times.

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WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

As with any beauty product, needs and results vary between individuals. When I first began using the derma roller a few months ago I honestly had no idea what to expect. It’s been quite a controversial skincare tool, considerably dividing opinion between those who claim that the mild damage it actively promotes is bad for the skin and those who swear by its benefits.

I’ve joined the latter group without a doubt. I’ve been trialing the derma roller for review for quite a while because you can only use the 1.00mm safely once every 3-4 weeks. Despite seeing positive results after only one use, I continued to use it 3 more times over a good few months to ensure that I was confident in recommending it.

To say that derma rolling is as comfortable and relaxing as my normal skincare routine would be an exaggeration. Whilst the whole process is considerably more bearable than I thought it would be, naturally, a prickling sensation is part of the package. For a couple of hours after the process, my face is red, hot, and feels mildly irritated. It’s absolutely nothing I can’t handle though, and in my opinion, the results are definitely worth the level of discomfort.

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THE BENEFITS I’VE NOTICED

The biggest benefit that the derma roller has provided to my skin is simply an incredibly healthy look. I wanted to target the large pores on either side of my nose and for both that and enhanced nutrient absorption, the DermaC+ Serum and Hyaluronic Acid Serum are recommended. I’ve been using the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 by The Ordinary.

I’ve also noticed a small difference in the size of my pores. Although derma rolling hasn’t miraculously reduced them to nothing, it does seem to have reduced them. Since I started using the tool, they’ve become more manageable alongside the use of other pore refining products like my favourite NYX pore-filler primer.

If you’re like me in your never-ending quest for perfect skin then I’d highly recommend trying a derma roller. I’ve seen noticeable benefits and overall the appearance of my skin has improved.

*  This post is part of a paid collaboration with Derma Roller. As always, all words, images, and opinions are my own. Please read my full disclaimer for more information.