Rolling teeny tiny needles across your face probably doesn't sound like the most enjoyable beauty treatment. But derma rolling might just be one of the most effective procedures for keeping skin supple and hydrated.
Each time you use a derma roller, you create tiny wounds across the face which triggers your body's natural wound healing response, encouraging a faster production of collagen and elastin. Incorporate derma rolling into your skincare routine and you'll likely swear by its effectiveness forevermore. Not sure where to start?
How do you use a derma roller?
Celebrity skincare guru Elizabeth Rimmer, founder of London Professional Aesthetics, shared her tips for using derma rollers correctly: "Rolling, like lots of effective anti ageing methods, isn’t the most comfortable process. Even though the needles in home devices are tiny, they will still create an unusual sensation. However, it's well worth it as with consistent usage this treatment is proven to stimulate collagen and elastin.
"Start using once a week to get used to it and you can then increase it to three or four times a week. I would suggest using it at night time rather than in the morning. The skin’s natural anti-aging activity is more active at night time and also any redness will have settled by the morning.
"To begin with, opt for needle depth of 0.1-03mm. You don't need deeper than this at home and as I mentioned, you will be surprised at how prickly the sensation is at these very shallow depths.”
What products should you use with the derma roller?
"Use the roller to increase penetration of high quality medical grade skincare such as vitamin C, hyaluronic acid or growth factor. Set time aside to do this - it doesn’t take long but it might be around 10-15 minutes. If you wait until the very last thing at night, you might find you cut the process short and don’t get the full benefit as your bed is calling you!
“Make sure your face is super clean before you start - cleansing for a full minute and patting dry with clean kitchen paper. Apply your chosen skincare after needling. You may well notice some increased sensitivity especially when you are starting out so daily SPF is a must.”
How do you care for your derma roller?
“Keep your roller clean, you can usually purchase a cleansing solution with the device. Replace needles every three to six months depending on usage. You may not be able to see it, but the needles will blunt and bend over time becoming less effective. Don’t expect results straight away, it may be around six weeks before you do - but this is not a gimmick, it’s been around a long time and has good evidence to support its use."
We've rounded up all of the best derma rollers.
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FACEGYM Faceshot Electric Microneedling Device
If you haven’t heard of FACEGYM yet, then you’re definitely missing out. Don’t be fooled by its name: there are no strenuous exercises necessary here. Instead, FACEGYM works to stimulate the muscles in your face with varying massages and manoeuvres.
If you want to replicate its methods at home, you’ll love the brand’s Faceshot Electric Microneedling Device: a premium derma roller that harnesses microneedling techniques so you can achieve studio-standard results at home.
Each of its single-use ‘Microneedle’ cartridges are made from medical-grade stainless steel and they deliver the brand’s ‘Liquid Vitamins’ treatment deep into the skin with minimal invasion. Expect a smoother texture and tone as well as reduced hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles.
Buy now £195.00, Net-A-Porter
Beauty Bio GloPRO® Microneedling Regeneration Tool
Beauty Bio wasn’t exaggerating when it called this derma roller a “Regeneration” tool. One of the most popular derma rollers in the business, it makes good use of GloPRO’s patented technology to stimulate your skin’s natural healing response.
That micro-rejuvenation powers deep within the skin for a visibly firmer, smoother and younger-looking appearance: it ticks all the boxes in a matter of mere minutes. This youth-promoting tool can be used alone or alongside a range of anti-ageing skincare products and helps to increase the efficiency of them for doubly impressive results.
Buy now £199.00, Harrods
Ecooking Derma Roller
Ecooking’s Derma Roller is a great mid-range option if you’re looking for powerful results without spending hundreds of pounds on a new derma roller. Designed to be used on your face, neck and décolletage no matter your age or gender, this derma roller stimulates and retains the elasticity of the skin. It’s one of the most versatile options around and is hailed as something of a lifesaver of a product for many skin ailments. Struggling with acne scars, enlarged pores, pigmentation or uneven skin tone? Ecooking’s roller knows just how to tackle them all.
Buy now £67.95, Feel Unique
Brushworks HD Micro Needle Derma Roller
New to derma rollers or want to dip your toe before investing in a luxury roller? Try Brushworks’ HD Micro Needle Derma Roller. This budget friendly roller is a great introductory product that allows you to test the waters with smaller needles.
A great choice particularly for those with enlarged pores, Brushworks’ derma roller uses 0.5mm needles to stimulate the skin to encourage a radiant appearance: perfect for those concerned with fine lines or textural irregularities. Use it just a few times with your favourite serum and you’ll be converted.
Buy now £11.99, Lookfantastic
Oliviere Wilson Microneedling Face Tool
Oliviere Wilson’s Microneedling Face Tool was designed as an introduction to the derma rolling world with tiny 0.3mm needles that do the job of firming, tightening and smoothing skin without too much pain.
This gentle face tool is renowned for its ability to enhance luminosity and rejuvenate the skin and only needs to be used twice a week. By stimulating the production of collagen and elastin, it helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Its 540 ultra fine titanium needles ensure your face feels beautifully soft after a few uses.
Buy now £58.00, Current Body
Dermapen TBPHP M1 Upgraded Electric Wireless Skin Pen
A derma roller is great for tackling your face as a whole but if you’re more concerned about specific areas then you’ll want something a little smaller. Enter: the derma pen.
Suitable for activating skin cells, promoting collagen regeneration and repairing without pulling the skin, this pen gets deep into sensitive areas of skin that may be difficult to treat with laser or with a larger roller.
While it excels on areas around the mouth and nose, it’s also designed to work on other body parts such as the face, forehead, head, neck, chin and scalp: an all rounder.
Buy now £34.84, Amazon
Sarah Chapman Meso-Melt Infusion roller
Sarah Chapman’s Meso-Melt Infusion roller works a little differently to your usual derma roller. Looking a little more like a jade roller than a derma roller, it comes with three needling tips and three ampoules of the Meso-Melt Pep⸠Stem Cell Serum.
The result? A healthy and glowing complexion that feels silky soft more than ever before. It’s a great choice for beginners as, once the needles have fully dissolved, the treatment is complete: there’s no stress of overuse here.
Buy now £138.00, Selfridges
Dr. Russo Red LED Pulsating Dermaroller
What's more impressive than a standalone derma roller? A derma roller that incorporates light into its magic. Dr. Russo's Red LED Pulsating Derma roller is a brilliant example of the latter, fusing together an at-home micro-needling device that stimulates skin’s circulation while simultaneously promoting skin density through its red light.
This sleek device features 540 super-fine needles that gently prick your skin as the device glides and rolls over your skin. Red light therapy is reported to reduce wrinkles, scars, redness and acne making this derma roller doubly beneficial.
Buy now £59.95, lookfantastic
Spotlight Oral Care Smile Rejuvenation System
If you've been concerned over wrinkles or lines especially around your mouth, you'll probably find a derma roller like Spotlight's Oral Care Smile Rejuvenation System most helpful.
Designed specifically for this part of the face, this small but handy roller helps to smooth frown lines, jowls, furrows and sagging cheeks while making your lips appear a little plumper at the same time.
Offering quite literally the full package, it includes a serum and a lip mask to enhance the plumping effect as well as a promise to have noticeable results in four weeks.
Buy now £120.00, Current Body
Nurysh DEEP + UNIQ Anti Aging & Skin Renewal Derma Pen Kit
Nurysh's DEEP + UNIQ Anti Aging & Skin Renewal Derma Pen Kit explains that you'll see results within 30 days of using its kit regularly and brings together everything you need in one handy package.
Taking a two in one approach, it combines micro pins to safely condition the uppermost layer of the skin and then digs in deep with its serum: a powerful combination of vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. Its 24k gold plated, titanium steel derma pin length is approved by dermatologists and, at only 0.25mm per needle, is a great introductory length for first timers.
Buy now £89.00, Amazon
Verdict
Even if you didn’t consider facial fitness part of your weekly routine, prepare to switch things up a little with the arrival of a derma roller in your life. And who better to encourage the process than FACEGYM? The brand’s Faceshot Electric Microneedling Device is our top pick for seriously smooth skin.
