Microneedling has fast become the go-to treatment for a variety of skin issues, with increasing demand in Australia. There are several forms of microneedling, which vary depending on the delivery. Two of the most prominent are skin needling and dermarolling. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages and both are available either professionally or for at-home use.
While skin needling is generally the recommended treatment, it’s important to understand exactly what it is and how it differs from dermarolling before you opt to go down this route. Since this procedure involves the use of needles and micro injury to the skin, it should always be done with every possible precaution and, for the best and safest results, by a trained therapist in a clinical setting that can be carefully administered.
What is Skin Needling & How Can It Help You?
Skin needling, using Dermapen 4, is a form of microneedling, a process that uses tiny needles to create a series of controlled microscopic injuries along the surface of the skin and to a target depth, depending on the condition being treated. The creation of these mini punctures triggers the body’s natural healing response, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin (two essential fibres) that help keep the skin's structure looking firm and young.
When performed professionally, the skin needling procedure may also include the delivery of antioxidants and vitamin-infused serums that can further enhance the stimulating effects of the treatment. The overall result is the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, stretch marks, acne scarring, pigmentation and other blemishes. In some cases, the procedure can even be used to promote healing of wounds.
The microscopic openings caused by Dermapen 4, immediately allows the antioxidants and corrective serums to penetrate to the underlying layers of skin.
At the same time, they also allow skincare to absorb more deeply, increasing it’s efficacy.
Skin needling can be used on almost every part of the body, including the neck, décolleté, arms, hands, legs, abdomen and back but is particularly effective on the face.
When performed by a skin therapist, it can help to treat even the most delicate areas around the eyes and lips, where the signs of ageing tend to be most prominent.
The Difference Between Skin Needling & Dermarolling
The main difference between the two types of microneedling treatment is the method and depth of delivery. As the name suggests, dermarolling uses a small wheel covered in tiny needles that is rolled over the surface of the skin.
In contrast, skin needling is used by a needling pen device such as Dermapen 4, which produces the microscopic punctures with a controlled depth. Aside from this, there are a few more specific differences which are worth noting:
Safety - Of course, when you’re talking about any kind of invasive procedure, safety is always the foremost concern. While both procedures are basically safe, skin needling tends to be the more professional method as it is usually performed in a clinical and sterile setting by a trained skin therapist, while dermarolling is often performed by individuals in their own homes. Any procedure is necessarily safer when performed professionally, where sanitization of the equipment and other safety measures are carefully followed. Since all microneedling treatments involve the infliction of wounds, if equipment is not thoroughly cleaned between treatments, it can leave you open to serious infection.
Precision - Since skin needling is used by Dermapen 4, it is much easier for the therapist to carefully control how deep the needles are administered. This makes it ideal for targeting sensitive areas around the eyes, nose and upper lip.
Adjustment of Needle Depth - Again, the use of a Dermapen 4 device allows for easier adjustment of the depth that the needles reach in the skin. This is important for treating specific issues such as acne scarring, wrinkles or in delicate areas such as around the eyes that may require specific needle depths. By pinpointing the depth, the treatment can be more effective and results more noticeable.
Control of Damage - While all forms of microneedling necessarily involve inflicting damage to the skin, the use of a Dermapen 4 can help to minimise the amount of damage. This is because the pen uses a direct vertical movement to produce the injury, while the needles of some dermarollers penetrate the skin at an angle and are pulled across the skin, which can also lead to tearing if not done properly.
Speed - Because Dermapen 4 used in skin needling are motorised, they can be automatically adjusted by the therapist to speeds of up to 100+ penetrations per second. This can minimise skin damage, pain level and recovery time. Conversely, dermarollers are manually controlled and thus can’t be used as precisely, however, they are an essential skin tool to be used at home in conjuction with skincare for the serious skin enthusiast.
Is Skin Needling Safe?
As with all microneedling procedures, skin needling involves the creation of microscopic injuries to the skin, making it much safer than more invasive surgical procedures. At the same time, the precision and control of the Dermapen 4 device makes skin needling even safer than other types of microneedling devices, as it’s the most advanced pen available today.
Since the injuries involved in skin needling are minor, there is almost no down time involved, meaning individuals can resume their regular activities almost immediately and can even resume their normal skin routine within 24 to 48 hours after treatment.
Skin needling is considered safe for all skin colours and for adults of any age and has very few, if any, side effects in most cases. The most common side effects are minor flushness of the skin. Pregnant women and individuals undergoing certain acne treatments may not be able to undergo skin needling. If you have questions whether it is safe for you, you should consult your skin therapist before booking in for treatment.
Healthy Skin Begins With Healthy Choices
There are so many factors that can affect the health of your skin, not the least of which is regular sun exposure. If you spend a lot of time at Glenelg, Henley Beach or any of South Australia’s popular beaches, you may find out the hard way what a toll all that sun can take on your skin. Or even not applying your daily SPF before leaving home. The Australian sun contributes to almost 90% of skin ageing.
Skin needling can be a terrific way to stimulate collagen and elastin production, helping to improve the look and feel of your skin and combat the fine lines and wrinkles caused by ageing or sun exposure. At the same time, it can also improve the effectiveness of skin care products, making it a perfect way to promote healthy skin.
You only get one skin, which is why it’s so important to love the skin you’re in and invest in it.
There’s no better way to treat your skin than with safe, effective skin needling by trained therapists like those at Alexia Makeup Hair Beauty.
Having softer, plumper, more youthful looking skin is easier than ever when you make the healthy choice for treatment.
Book your appointment today for new skin; Book Me In