What is microneedling and can I really do it at home?

Rolling a little wheel covered in tiny needles over your face, sounds strange, right? But there is sound science behind this beauty trend. Microneedling, also known as dermarolling, skin needling and collagen induction therapy (CIT) is pretty simple as a concept.

It starts with making numerous small punctures in your skin with a small device and relies on the skin’s natural healing response to heal these wounds. It can have fantastic results on reducing scar tissue, acne, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines and wrinkles. By rolling tiny needles over the skin, the body starts to naturally heal these small wounds by prioritising collagen production. Collagen is the protein that gives skin its structure, and this extra production can result in a glowing, plumper looking skin and reduce the appearance of marks.

Sounds great, where do I sign up?

Microneedling is not a decision to be taken lightly, and it is well worth doing your research and speaking to a dermatologist or health professional first. It is not suitable for all skin types, especially if you have very sensitive skin. You shouldn’t try microneedling if you have a current skin condition or active acne, due to the risk of infection.

You need to really think about what you’d like to achieve before you take the plunge. Do you have significant skin problems that you’d like to solve? For example, scarring, areas of hyperpigmentation or acne scars? Or are you looking for more subtle changes to your fine lines or skin quality? The answers to these questions will make a difference to the type of microneedling you should research.

When is microneedling done at a dermatologist clinic?

If you need a more significant change to your skin, for example reducing the appearance of acne scars, then you will likely require the skill of a trained dermatologist. A dermatologist, or healthcare professional, will be trained in using a more advanced version of microneedling. They will use much longer needles than would be available for you to use at home, typically around 0.3mm needle length or longer, rather than the 0.1mm found in at-home devices.

These longer needles are able to penetrate deeper into your skin, with more significant results. They are often used in conjunction with other skincare non-surgical techniques to ensure the best outcome. As these needles reach deeper into your skin, they can cause more irritation and discomfort. The dermatologist will offer you a topical anaesthetic to dull the pain and will be able to offer you aftercare to maximise results.

What kind of microneedling can I do at home?

If you’re looking for a less drastic result, for example the reduction of the appearance of fine lines or a plumper looking more youthful skin, then at-home microneedling could be for you. You can buy a range of devices to use at home, such as the range of cosmetic CIT devices from Environ.

Depending on the part of your body that you’d like to focus on, there are a range of devices available for you to try. As the needles are much shorter than the medical-grade needles available at a dermatologist clinic, they can be a lot less painful. The needles don’t penetrate the skin deeply, reducing the chance of bleeding and irritation, but they can still give you great results. Environ have created a range of CIT devices, from its smaller more affordable version, the Environ Cosmetic Focus CIT, which allows you to easily target you upper lip and eye area. This range also includes the Environ Cosmetic Body Roll CIT, which has two large rollers that target areas on the body.

What is the main benefit of microneedling at home?

Aside from the stimulation of collagen production, the main benefit of microneedling at home is the increased absorption of the specialist and targeted beauty products that you use. It’s best to avoid using the harsher skin products, for example those containing retinol, for a few days after microneedling, but your products containing hyaluronic acid will be better absorbed and more effective after the treatment. Make it a top priority to research what to avoid before embarking on microneedling and how to get the best out of this popular technique. Environ devices are designed to improve the look and feel of your skin, and come with clear instructions on what products to use to get the maximum benefit.

As the needles are piercing your skin and its protective barrier, scrupulous cleaning of the device is essential to prevent infection. This is alongside carefully reading and following all of the instructions, and seeking out help where needed, to get the best results for your skin.

Once you have done your research, try this technique and see for yourself what everyone’s talking about.

For more information on microneedling at home and to view our Environ product range, please take a look at the Avenue’s online store.