Choosing an Appropriate Derma Roller for At Home Use

Introduction to Collagen Induction Therapy
Collagen Induction Therapy (also known as micro needling, or derma rolling) is a procedure that many people find helpful in the treatment of acne scars, stretch marks, melasma, and other skin discolorations. It's possible to have this done at the office of a plastic surgeon or dermatologist, although you can also do this at home if you have access to the appropriate resources and tools. The video on the left is a concise and clear video by YouTube user Hafsa on basic micro needling procedure for beginners. It explains how to choose a derma roller, how to prep your skin for needling, and post procedural care for at home use.
Choosing an Appropriate Derma Roller for At Home Use
When choosing an appropriate tool for at home use by the layperson, please keep the following in mind:
Choose a tool that has a high number of needles. Usually, 540+ needles is appropriate. A high concentration of needles on a roller means that the area of skin can be covered much quicker.
Titanium needles are preferred over 316L "surgical" stainless steel. Titanium is a more durable metal, and does not contain nickel. 316L may cause a reaction in people that are sensitive to nickel.
The appropriate length of the needles should range between 0.5 mm - 1.0 mm. It is strongly recommended that any use of a derma roller tool with needles longer than 1.0 mm is performed by trained and licensed medical personnel only.
A travel or storage case is helpful for maintaining cleanliness of the device when not in use.

Example of a typical micro needle roller.
Tips for Using a Derma Roller
Always maintain clean technique when micro needling. Wash hands with warm water and soap prior to the procedure.
Sterilize the tool with 70% or 90% isopropyl alcohol before and after use.
Allow skin at least 30 minutes to heal post-procedure prior to applying any serums or creams.
Do not use the roller every day. Allow the skin ample time to heal in between treatments.
Do not use the roller on your eyelids.
Popular creams and serums for post-procedure use include ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C ester, and vitamin E.
Organic creams and serums are preferred due to the fact that they are often gentler on the skin. Keep in mind that the needles cause open channels into the skin. Harsh chemicals could cause unnecessary irritation to the treated area.
If you experience unnecessary irritation or signs/symptoms of infection, contact your primary care physician or dermatologist immediately.