At The Angel Laser Clinic we specialise in advanced skin treatments. In your consultation we ask you what your needs are then examine your skin thoroughly. During which we decide if dermaroller would be suitable for your skin needs.
DERMAROLLER
Dermarroller is a non-ablative and non-surgical treatment. It consists of a roller containing micro needles and a handle to treat a range of skin conditions. Microneedling with dermaroller is a new treatment modality for the treatment of scars, especially acne scars, stretch marks, wrinkles, and for facial rejuvenation. It is a simple and relatively low cost modality that also can be used for transdermal drug delivery. Dermaroller has recently attained popularity as a simple means of treating scars, particularly acne scars.
THE INSTRUMENT
The standard dermaroller used for acne scars is a drum-shaped roller studded with 192 fine microneedles in eight rows, 0.5-1.5 mm in length and 0.1 mm in diameter. The microneedles are synthesized by reactive ion etching techniques on silicon or medical-grade stainless steel. The instrument is presterilized by gamma irradiation. Medical dermarollers are for single use only.
THE PRINCIPLE OF COLLAGEN INDUCTION THERAPY
The medical dermaroller needles are 0.5-1.5 mm in length. During treatment, the needles pierce the stratum corneum and create microconduits (holes) without damaging the epidermis. It has been shown that rolling with a dermaroller (192 needles, 200 µm length and 70 µm diameter) over an area for 15 times will result in approximately 250 holes/ cm2 . Microneedling leads to the release of growth factors which stimulate the formation of new collagen (natural collagen) and elastin in the papillary dermis. In addition, new capillaries are formed-this neovascularisation and neocollagenesis following treatment leads to reduction of scars. The procedure is therefore called “percutaneous collagen induction therapy” and has also been used in the treatment of photoageing.
THE TREATMENT FOR ACNE SCARS
Microneedling is a simple office-based procedure. The area to be treated is anaesthetised with topical anaesthesia for 30 minutes. After preparation of the area, rolling is done 15-20 times in horizontal, vertical, and oblique directions; Petechiae or pin-point bleeding which occurs is easily controlled, and it is an expected and desired reaction. After treatment, the area is wetted with saline pads. The entire procedure lasts for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the extent of the area to be treated.
A minimum of four to six weeks is recommended between two treatments as it takes that long for new natural collagen to form. Six to eight treatments may be needed for moderate acne scars.
POST TREATMENT CARE
Microneedling is well tolerated by patients but erythema may be seen after treatment, lasting for 2-3 days. Photo protection for the following 4 weeks is advised as a routine and local antibiotic creams may be prescribed only if needed. The patients can go back to work the very next day.
Apart from facial redness, no other side effects have been reported. As the micro-holes close immediately, postoperative infections do not occur. The procedure is well tolerated and well accepted by the patients, is cost-effective, can be done on all skin types and on areas not suitable for peeling or laser resurfacing, such as near eyes. Microneedling with dermaroller can be combined with other acne scar treatments like chemical peels, Revlite laser, and EndyMed fractional skin resurfacing, thus maximising the benefits to the patients.