Microneedling, also known as dermarolling, is one of the aesthetic success stories of recent years and it’s no surprise, as the treatment is extremely effective in stimulating collagen, refining texture, blitzing pigmentation, and smoothing out wrinkles, acne scars and even stretch marks.

Did you know that the non surgical treatment was invented in Germany by Dermaroller more than 20 years ago? Today, it's more popular than ever, resulting in a surge of DIY microneedling devices coming to market. However, some of these use longer needle lengths than is safe in an unsupervised environment, leading consumers to falsely believe that they can achieve professional standard results at home.

Needle lengths between 1.5mm to 2.5mm are used by aesthetic and skincare professionals to target the dermis and the skin’s deeper layers, to cause controlled micro-trauma resulting in collagen stimulation. This approach is best left to qualified experts, as any treatment that causes skin trauma and bleeding should only be undertaken in a clinical setting.

Stringent requirements for at home microneedling dictates that needles should be much shorter—no longer than .2mm. The bottom line is that no home use device should be claiming to promote collagen stimulation, as it should not be able to penetrate the dermis.

So just what is at home microneedling able to do for skin, and why should you do it at home, as well as in clinic? Currently the only microneedling device pending FDA approval, XCellarisPro Home Care Dermaroller is unsurpassed for its safety and efficacy—this Rolls Royce of microneedling devices even undergoes a triple quality control check to ensure perfection.

Targeting the epidermis only, the surgical grade stainless steel tool features 0.2mm atraumatic needles that meet the strict requirements for a home use device, helping to refine pores, reduce wrinkles, boost radiance and improve texture by making very small, superficial punctures in the skin with no risk of bleeding.

If you follow a stringent at home protocol you should reap the benefits from your Dermaroller. The device has 162 needles in the barrel, compared to 540 on some other devices that use disk needles—this avoids snagging the skin, and they are far enough apart to be effective. However, it's important to avoid applying too much pressure: be gentle when rolling back and forward over the skin.

If skin is inflamed, very sensitive or you have breakouts, active acne, eczema or rosacea, do not attempt at home microneedling and consult a qualified practitioner or dermatologist for advice. Always sterilise your device after each use.

Five benefits to at home microneedling 

Better product absorption
0.3 per cent is the average amount of topical product that normally penetrates skin to the deeper layers—introduce microneedling into your regime and this increases 3000 per cent, with home-rollering facilitating excellent transdermal delivery. After microneedling, choose a gentle serum with peptides, hyaluronic acid or niacinamide, followed by sun protection as required. Opt for water-based products over oil-based, to avoid clogging pores. Do not apply active ingredients such as retinols, exfoliating acids or vitamin C the day before or straight after microneedling, to avoid irritation.

Increases circulation
Due to the quality of the needles, no pressure is needed when using the Dermaroller—you’ll be on your way to glowy radiance in no time at all! As it assists microcirculation, it’s normal for skin to be a bit pink afterwards, however if skin is red for longer than usual or you feel any pain, consult a medical professional.

Exfoliating prowess
Each pass of the Dermaroller works to exfoliate the skin, removing dead and dull skin cells and encouraging new cells to form. For this reason, it’s best to keep exfoliating acids for when you’re not microneedling to avoid over-stimulating skin.

Refines texture and tone 
Anything that helps to rejuvenate skin will have a positive effect on texture and tone. There is no risk of pigmentation with home rollering—only needling at a depth of 2.5mm may disrupt melanocytes.

Easy to add into your regime
The best time to perform at home microneedling is in the evening, as skin is likely to feel warm and look a bit flushed afterwards. You’ll also want to avoid applying makeup for a few hours. Once a week is enough, although your Dermaroller can be used up to three times a week. You can have microneedling the same day as toxin and / or filler, provided the microneedling is done first. If not, you’ll have to wait at least two weeks after filler or toxin to have microneedling.