You may have heard of it before: Microneedling… also known as Dermarolling, Collagen Induction Therapy, and Dermastamping. No matter what you’d like to call it, microneedling has generated a lot of buzz in the past few years, and it’s something I like to do regularly as part of an anti-aging routine. You may be wondering what it is and why it’s gained so much popularity in the skincare world.
The short answer is that microneedling is an anti-aging skincare treatment that uses a tool covered in microneedles that you roll across your skin to create hundreds of tiny punctures. It can be done at home and is also a popular treatment offered at medical spas. The difference between a home treatment and an in-office visit is the length of the needles. In-office needles tend to be longer in order to penetrate deeper, but they’re also more costly than doing it at home, of course.
You may be asking yourself, “Why puncture hundreds of tiny holes in my face? Doesn’t it hurt?”. It sounds a little crazy, but it’s really not. It’s actually fairly painless and offers a plethora of anti-aging benefits, and those benefits seriously outweigh any minor discomfort the treatment causes. In fact, all you get is a bit of temporary inflammation, and that’s just a sign it’s doing its job.
Microneedling Benefits include:
- Anti-aging and prevention
- Collagen stimulation
- Repairs imperfections: things like scars, acne scars, and even stretch marks
- Minimizes pore size
- Improves dark spots due to sun damage
- Help eliminate dark circles and bags from the under-eye area
- Improves product absorption
- More even skin tone and texture
That’s right – you can improve your skin that much with tiny needles! The way it works is fascinating. When you make microscopic punctures in your skin, it’s technically causing injury. The cool part about that is the injuries are so slight that you can’t see them, but they still cause your body’s skin repair mechanism to kick in so that you can heal the injuries. That repair process involves generating new collagen, which, as most of us already know, is the holy grail of anti-aging.
When you combine that new collagen generation with the right products, it can really enhance the treatment. Of course, puncturing hundreds of tiny holes means deeper product absorption, so your skincare products can really do their job.
Best Serum Ingredients for Microneedling
Knowing which products to use is also essential because you don’t want to cause too much irritation. Things like glycolic acid and strong retinoids may need to be avoided so your face doesn’t become a red, inflamed, painful mess. Below are good ingredients to use while microneedling, followed by a few of my favorite product recommendations that contain those ingredients.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid increases moisture, smooths skin, and promotes wound healing.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C repairs sun damage and boosts collagen production, and it helps vitamin E work better.
Vitamin E
Improves the skin barrier, is anti-inflammatory, and is a powerful antioxidant. It also boosts vitamin C.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide reduces the appearance of large pores and helps prevent fine lines and wrinkles.
Our Favorite Products to Pair with Microneedling
My favorite products to use when microneedling include:
Pros: This reformulated hydrating serum features five forms of hyaluronic acid, added ceramides, and a new lightweight texture.
Pros: Lightweight, hydrating, and calming serum that includes antioxidants for healthier skin.
Pros: Contours less defined areas by encouraging correction to fill in shape and form.
Our Favorite At-home Microneedling Sets:
Pros: Bonus benefits from microcurrent stimulation and LED red light therapy as you roll.
Pros: Includes everything you need to firm and smooth the skin of your face, body, and even the lips and eyes.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Microneedle Your Face At Home
There’s a technique I like to use to get the most out of my treatment, and I’ll go through it step-by-step to help you get the best results if you microneedle at home.
First, I like to apply hyaluronic acid before rolling. Doing so primes the skin by creating a more even surface to roll on, which helps prevent too much inflammation and irritation.
Then I roll the microneedling tool on my skin, first up and down, then side to side – like a + formation. You want to glide the device over your skin, then pick it up, go back to the starting spot, and roll again. Roll about 5-8 times before moving over.
It’s not really necessary, but you can also roll in an X formation.
I like to divide my face into sections to keep the process simple and organized, not missing any spots. I start with my forehead and move on to the left side of my face, then the right side. After rolling, I apply a skincare product that targets whatever concern I am trying to address.
Microneedling Tips
Here are some important things to remember:
- Always sanitize your needles before and after use. Use 70% isopropyl alcohol, soak your needles for about 7 minutes, and then let them dry before using.
- Don’t use too much pressure. The weight of the tool should cause there to be enough pressure to get the job done.
- Never roll over acne, open wounds, dermatitis, etc. You want to only focus on blemish-free skin.
- Smaller needles are for the face. Larger needles are for the body.
- You should only roll your face about once or twice a week and your body once or twice a month. You need to give your skin time to repair itself before causing more injury.
- It can take weeks to see results. It took me months to get anywhere with my stretch marks, so don’t give up. I’ve also experienced a radiant glow immediately after rolling, which I attribute to the products that I used. Your mileage may vary, and keep in mind that our bodies work at their own pace and react differently. Try not to get discouraged.
I hope this guide helped answer some questions and helps send you on your way to beautiful skin!
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