Do Derma Rollers Work?

Right now it’s all about the derma rollers. And you might have come across thousands of pictures of blood-spattered faces of people while searching for dermarolling on the internet.

So, what actually is a derma roller? Do derma rollers work? Let’s find out.

What is a derma roller?

A derma roller, in simple terms, looks and functions like a paint roller, except it has needles instead of fur. It is used to perform dermarolling or micro-needling.

The needles come in different lengths, most commonly between 0.2mm and 3.0mm, for different levels of intensity.

When the derma roller is rolled over the skin, the tiny, fine needles gently prick the face. These pricks create small punctures on the top layer of the skin, which causes the body to boost the production of collagen and elastin, two popular proteins that act as the building blocks for the skin’s overall structure.

Fans of dermarolling claim that it can treat everything from hyperpigmentation, dry skin, wrinkles, to stretch marks, scars, cellulite.

Scarring, wrinkles, enable skin rejuvenation, and improve skin appearance can be treated by derma rolling. To prove the effectiveness of dermarolling, thousands of clinical trials have been conducted.

Our skin consists of two layers. The needles, on top cause micro-perforation into the epidermis. It leads to the generation of growth factors to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in the dermis. Neutrophils and platelets-the body’s natural healing system release the growth factors such as TGF-alpha, TGF-beta, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). This leads to the deposition of collagen by fibroblasts.

Dermarolling for scars:

Several studies show the efficacy of dermarolling treatment for scars caused by acne, stretch marks, and weight loss. In one study, patients with scars showed an increase in the production of collagen and a decrease in elastin by the end of the treatment. There was an improvement in scar appearance and overall skin texture. This study was conducted through 6 sessions over the course of 92 days.

Dermarollers for Alopecia:

The efficacy of dermarolling with derma rollers in androgenic alopecia has been studied over the last five years. According to Dhurat et al, in a study of 100 patients, about 80% of patients reported increased hair regrowth in combination with 5% minoxidil. It was statistically superior to minoxidil alone.

Derma rollers for Pigmentation disorders:

The use of derma roller with skin lightening agents enhanced their transdermal drug absorption. This combination treatment effectively reduced the appearance of melasma, hyperpigmentation, and dark spots.