Maybe you don’t want to go for an expensive dermal filler or facial lift surgery. But you still need something more aggressive than your face cream to tone your skin and get rid of scars or fine lines on your face. I recommend a dermal roller.
This is handheld device with hundreds of tiny needles embedded on a rolling head. You use it by rolling the needled head around your face.
Ouch!
Don’t worry, a dermal roller is rarely painful. It feels like tiny prickling sensations that leave your face red for just a few minutes.
The level of discomfort varies with needle size. The smallest is usually 0.25mm and is ideal for those with sensitive skin. Most needles are 0.5mm long. They are comfortable to use and can treat small to mild imperfections on the face. There are also 1mm needles that are a bit more uncomfortable but show more drastic results. They are great for large acne scars, small wrinkles and dry skin.
Beyond 1mm, you probably need to get the rolling done by a dermatologist. It requires a lot more care because there will be a bit of bleeding involved. It’s also fairly painful. But the benefits are worth it.
So why do you need to ‘torture’ your face?
A derma roller has huge benefits. It’s the next best thing to getting a facial lift. It can be used to treat just about any skin problem from acne scarring to dull skin to fine lines and wrinkles.
It works by creating hundreds of tiny punctures on your face. Your skin perceives these micro-punctures as wounds. It responds by increasing blood flow to the area and increasing collagen production to quickly heal the skin.
And that’s exactly the response you are looking for.
With increased collagen and blood flow, your face appears smoother, fuller and brighter. As new skin regenerates, it gets rid of acne scars, small imperfections and fine lines.
Derma rollers also allow facial products to penetrate deeper into the skin. In some cases you can get twice or thrice the amount of product absorbed.
But don’t just apply any product after using a derma roller (remember your skin is bruised and tender); look for serums designed specifically for application after derma roller.
Derma Roller Serum
The short period after using a derma roller is prime time for facial products. The skin is more exposed and anything that you apply on it, whether good or bad, will go deeper. You need to maximize the benefits of the derma roller.
That’s why it’s very important to choose the right serum after derma roller. Look for a serum that is formulated specifically for use with a derma roller. Such serums will usually be more gentle and very rich in ingredients that benefit the skin.
One common ingredient in derma roller serums is hyaluronic acid. It enhances collagen production for even more skin-smoothening benefits. Many serums also contain Vitamin C which is an important anti-aging ingredient.
A good serum should also contain moisturising ingredients that penetrate deep into your skin to make it softer and brighter.
Always do a patch test before using a derma roller serum especially if you have sensitive skin. If you are not going to use a derma roller serum, I recommend natural oils which are unlikely to cause a reaction (but still do a patch test first).
If you are ready to get started, here are the best derma rollers we’ve found online on the UK market. We have also picked the best serums to use after a derma roller.
Best Derma Roller for Face
1. Swiss Clinic Skin Roller, Scar removal derma roller for the face, 0.5mm
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It’s a bit pricey but this Swiss Clinic derma roller is designed to provide the best results without endangering your health or damaging your skin.
It consists of 540 micro-needles, each 0.5mm long. They are not too short that they won’t have much an effect and not too long that it’s painful. The needles are made from surgical steel.
For safety the roller comes with a Swiss Clinic sanitizing spray that you are supposed to spray onto the roller before and after use. This ensures the needles are not carrying any germs that could cause an infection or damage your skin.
There might be some redness afterwards but it’s mild and goes away quickly. The manufacturer recommends using the Swiss Clinic Rejuvenating Serum after using the derma roller (sold separately).
What we like about it:
- Quick results.
- No pain and minimal redness – ideal for all skin types.
- Sanitizer included.
2. Youth Stream 4-in-1 Derma Roller, 0.5/1/1.5mm
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This roller provides more versatility. There are three interchangeable heads with differently sized needles. The 0.5mm needles are ideal for sensitive areas such as under the yes, the 1mm roller is great for the rest of your face and the 1.5mm roller provides great results on scars and stretch marks on your body.
The needles are made out of titanium. They won’t bend, rust and are unlikely to cause a reaction even on sensitive skin. But it’s still a good idea to do a patch test to check for any reactions.
In addition to the three heads you also get a handy travel/storage case with an integrated sterilizing chamber where you can cleaner the rollers with rubbing alcohol.
What we like about it:
- Affordable.
- Versatile – 3 roller heads for different areas of your face and body.
- Travel and storage case with built-in cleaning chamber.
3. Méthode Jeanne Piaubert Stimuloval Roller
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Maybe you are really not a needles person no matter how much other people say micro-needle derma rollers don’t hurt. If you’d rather not puncture your skin, there is still something you can do to boost collagen production and boost blood flow.
This Méthode Jeanne Piaubert dermal roller doesn’t have micro-needles. Instead it uses plastic spikes that don’t puncture your skin.
Instead, they just stimulate the surface of your skin to increase microcirculation and tighten the skin by triggering more collagen production.
The result won’t be as drastic or as quick as with a micro-needle derma roller but it’s the next best thing if you don’t want any needles, harmless as they might be, near your face.
What we like about it:
- Great toning massage for face and neck.
- Uses plastic spikes instead of needles – perfect for those who are not yet ready to try micro-needling.
- Great for smoothing away fine lines, scars and brightening dull skin.
Best Derma Roller Serums
1. Swiss Clinic Rejuvenating Serum, Scar removal and improved skin texture, 30 ml
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If you decide to buy the Swiss Clinic derma roller make sure you order it together with their rejuvenating serum. You can also use it with any of the other derma rollers.
It works together with the micro-needling roller to remove scars, tighten your skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and brighten your skin.
Apply it onto your face after using the roller. You’ll notice that it gets absorbed faster than usual. Once in the skin, it gets to work boosting collagen production and rejuvenating your skin. It also contains hydrating ingredients for deep moisturization.
Because the serum goes deeper into the skin and the moisture and nutrients are locked inside, you’ll find that your skin stays softer, smoother and brighter for longer.
What we like about it:
- Deeply nourishing and moisturising.
- Helps with skin rejuvenation.
- Vacuum pump design to prevent contamination.
2. Skin Radiance Derma Roller Face Serum
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This is a 100% natural oil blend specifically formulated for application after a micro-needling treatment with a derma roller.
The natural oils penetrate deep into the skin to provide deep hydration that softens and brightens your face. Oils include Rosehip seed oil, Sandalwood, Rosewood and carrot oil.
The serum is also loaded with a rich recipe of vitamins and antioxidants that boost collagen production, reduce wrinkles and fine lines and get rid of acne scars.
The serum is very gentle and is great even for sensitive skin. It also does not clog pores on oily skin. So don’t worry about breakouts.
It’s also antibacterial, ensuring full protection for your vulnerable punctured skin.
What we like about it:
- 100% natural.
- Ideal for all skin types including dry, oily and sensitive.
- Rich blend of moisturising oils and anti-aging nutrients.
3. Green Keratin Hyaluronic C Perfecting Facial Serum
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This serum is based on Hyaluronic acid which has proven anti-aging benefits. Other key ingredients include vitamin C (powerful anti-oxidant), organic thistle oil and rose flower water for deep hydration, organic jojoba oil, vitamin E and frangipani extract.
The serum is 92% organic. It’s very gentle on sensitive skin, non-greasy on oily skin and absorbs super-fast on all skin types especially after using a derma roller. But you can also apply it even when you are not using the roller.
You can get it in a small 30ml bottle or go for the salon-size 50ml bottle if you want it to last longer.
What we like about it:
- 92% organic, vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.
- A super-rich blend of natural ingredients that refresh and rejuvenate the skin.
- Ideal for all skin types.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does a derma roller do?
A derma roller is a small, hand held device with a handle at one end, and a roller at the other, which is covered with small, fine needles. Derma rollering used to be a procedure that had to be done at a clinic, but nowadays you can buy a derma roller to use at home.
It works by causing a “controlled injury” of the skin; as the roller goes over the skin the tiny needles cause puncture marks, which in turn triggers the body to make a wound healing response, by sending blood vessels to the surface of the skin, and producing more collagen to heal the area.
This can lead to the skin becoming firmer and fresher looking over the next five or so days, and as such it is considered a good option for those wishing to create a firmer, healthier looking skin. This treatment can help to freshen the face and can even reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Can we use derma roller daily on face?
The frequency with which you use your derma roller should depend on the size of the needles. If you have a big, heavy duty version with larger needles, then you shouldn’t use it every day, as you can risk damaging your skin and undoing all your hard work.
If your roller needles are smaller and thinner, you can use it more often – and in this case you can use it every day if you want to. You will also need a few other bits and bobs before you start you home derma roller experience:
- 70% isopropyl alcohol (this is for sterilising your roller)
- Cleanser (you will need to wash your face thoroughly before you start)
- Numbing cream (this is optional, and you probably won’t need it when you start out with fine needles, but it might help if you progress to larger ones)
- Serum or moisturiser to finish (Vitamin C, Hyalauronic acid and Peptides are considered the best following this treatment)
3. Which derma roller size is best for face?
The size of the derma roller will be based on the uses you want it for. Smaller needles are ideal for superficial damage, such as the odd bit of sun damage or age related sagging and wrinkling. Larger needles are more suitable for stretch marks and surgical scars, while the largest needles are reserved for serious skin conditions, and for deep wrinkles.
