No Pain, no gain!

Derma Roller

I recently discovered Derma Rolling a.k.a Micro Needling or Collagen Induction Therapy.   It entails using this little device that’s covered in tiny needles which you roll over your problem area to stimulate collagen production.  Apparently collagen is what my face needs. The experts say that as you age your collagen production slows down causing wrinkles and saggy skin. 

Evidently, my collagen production ground to a screeching halt when I was 25.  If I even knew how to quantify collagen I’d estimate I currently need about a pint of it in my face.  So, if collagen is what I need then it stands to reason that I need a Derma Roller.  

I ordered my own personal roller online. The little device apparently has so many benefits and is most commonly used for fine lines and wrinkles, scars, stretch marks, hyperpigmentation, age spots, Rosacea, acne, enlarged pores, cellulite and hair loss.  

Rollers come with different length needles, depending on the issue you are targeting. 

My issue is wrinkles, and go figure, I need a roller with longer needles.  

CRAP! Longer needles = more pain! 

I had a choice of 0.75 mm, 1.0 mm or 1.5 mm needles. Being a responsible beginner roller, I naturally ordered the shortest recommended needles for my problem. (I'm also not thrilled by the idea of pain so the shorter needles suit me just fine for now!) 

0.75mm needles

When my roller arrived I was happy, nervous, worried and excited – A whole array of really mixed emotions all at once.  At first I couldn’t bring myself to actually use the damn thing. It lay on my dressing table staring at me every morning and every night until I finally plucked up the courage to use it a week and a half later.  

I got everything together, as explained in the instructions manual, and with a deep inhale I began rolling my face. It kind of reminded me of those lawn rollers with the spikes on that are used to aerate the soil. Not that my face looks like lawn, but the lawn roller certainly has benefits, so the Derma Roller should have too.  

I was expecting pain – Nada! 

I was expecting blood – Nada! 

Literally all I felt was some sensitivity after I’d finished rolling. There was a slight stinging / burning sensation for a couple of hours, and for the next three days I had lovely plump skin. The wrinkles were all still there but my actual skin looked super.  

I was happy and impressed! (Yeah, I couldn’t believe it either – I’m NEVER happy or impressed!)  

Sadly, a few days later my skin looked tired again.  

Massive anti climax! 

Perhaps what I thought was plumpness was actually just swelling? I had just micro punctured my face after all.

Ok, so let’s just roll again, yeah?   Uhm, No!  With the size needles on my roller I can only roll at two week intervals. (Research reveals that if you “over roll” you end up doing more harm than good.)  

The fact that I hadn’t felt pain should have been a dead giveaway that I’d done something wrong because more research revealed that I had not used enough pressure, and I had definitely not rolled as many rolls over each area as I was supposed to. Apparently two rolls doesn't help – it’s got to be five!   FIVE?  Why isn’t five my favourite number?

Attempt number two will take place on Friday – I’ll use more pressure and roll each area 5 times in all different directions. I will also be praying that I don’t find myself disfigured for the Easter weekend.  However, if I do, I know that a box of creme filled Easter eggs will be right on hand to help me feel better.  

SMALL CONCERN: If Derma Rolling promotes hair growth, what are that chances that I will start growing a beard?