Derma rollers are small wheels with tiny needles on the surface. This tool is used for microneedling or punching holes in your skin. The small holes in the skin are believed to help the skin produce more collagen. Collagen is a protein that helps nourish the skin. This method is also believed to make it easier for the skin to absorb facial serums and moisturizers. Although this type of treatment is more commonly done on the face, you can also do it on other parts of the body, especially areas with scars. Using the derma roller is quite easy, but be sure to wash your face and derma roller before and after the treatment.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Clean the Derma Roller and Skin
Step 1. Disinfect the derma roller before use
The tiny needles will penetrate your skin, so don't forget to sterilize the needles first. Soak the derma roller in 70% isopropyl alcohol and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- 70% is better than 99% because it does not evaporate easily.
- After soaking for 10 minutes, remove and remove the alcohol liquid that is on the derma roller. Let it dry by itself.
Step 2. Wash your face or take a warm shower
It is important to start this treatment with clean skin. For example, you can wash your face with a mild face wash. Bathing with bar soap or in the form of a gel is also okay. In essence, the skin must be clean before starting this treatment, and you can use cleaning products that are commonly sold in the market.
However, you should not wash your face or bathe with harsh cleansers. Avoid using facial cleansers that contain salicylic acid. Use a gentler product
Step 3. Disinfect the skin when using a longer needle
Longer needles will penetrate deeper into the skin and can cause infection. If using needles longer than 0.5 mm, your skin should be sterilized as well. Gently rub 70% isopropyl alcohol on your skin.
Part 2 of 3: Using the Derma Roller
Step 1. If necessary, start by applying an anesthetic cream
Most people are not very sensitive to needles, but if your skin is very sensitive to pain, apply an anesthetic cream first. This should be done if you are using a needle that is longer than 1 mm. Apply lidocaine cream and leave it on for 20 minutes before starting the treatment.
Before using the derma roller, clean the skin of the remaining cream
Step 2. Use the derma roller vertically
Start at the end. Roll the derma roller from the top to the bottom, avoiding the eye socket area when using it on the face. Repeat this process 6 times and then do it again in another area. Continue to do it evenly.
If you use a longer needle, say 1 mm or more, your skin may bleed a little. However, if the bleeding is quite a lot, you should stop. You may need a shorter needle
Step 3. Roll the derma roller horizontally
Start at the top or bottom and then roll horizontally. Repeat this process 6 times and then do it again in another area. Repeat this process until evenly distributed.
This can also be done diagonally, but the derma roller needles will not puncture the skin evenly
Step 4. Stop after 2 minutes, especially if done on the face area
If done on the face, this process can be overkill. Therefore, you should limit the treatment session to 2 minutes.
Step 5. Use a derma roller every few days
Using a derma roller too often can cause inflammation of the skin. Instead, use a derma roller 3-5 times per week. This is to ensure your skin has time to rest. In fact, some people do this treatment once every 6 weeks.
Part 3 of 3: Cleaning Derma Roller and Skin after Treatment
Step 1. Rinse face
After the treatment is done, rinse your face. Since the face was washed in the previous step, you can rinse your face with water only. However, make sure to clean any residual blood from your face. You can also wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser.
Step 2. Moisturize the skin
Once done, the use of skin moisturizing products can help you. For example, a face mask can help moisturize and heal facial skin. In addition, you can also apply an anti-aging or anti-wrinkle serum. This serum will be absorbed by the skin better because it is assisted by small holes in the skin.
Step 3. Clean the derma roller with water and dish soap
Wash the derma roller with warm water and dish soap. Dish soap does a very good job of removing blood particles and adhering skin cells. Dissolve dish soap in a container and then soak and wash the derma roller in the solution.
Step 4. Sterilize the derma roller after use
Clean the remaining water that sticks. Soak the derma roller in 70% isopropyl alcohol and let it sit for 10 minutes. Clean the remaining alcohol that sticks and then let the derma roller dry by itself. Once dry, store the derma roller in its place.
