How does Dermaroller work for scarring?
Dr Conlon frequently uses Dermaroller™ for removal of acne scarring along with treating surgical scars, chicken pox scars, pitting of the skin, burns, scalds and much more. Scars could also be called ‘dead skin’ – your body has assumed that the healing process is finished in these areas and the scarring or pitting is caused by a lack of collagen. The Dermaroller™ medical device penetrates the scar with thousands of tiny micro-needles. This causes a response called ‘inflammation’. This is the body’s healing response, and allows it to naturally repair and regenerate, forming its own fresh collagen from deep within the dermis and new skin cells. By using the Dermaroller on scar tissue the scar is stimulated and the body is tricked into continuing the healing process on a physical level, making the scars even out, become much less noticeable and disappear all together.
Enhanced stimulation of scar tissue is achieved using a Dermastamp™ combined with the Dermaroller™ for treatment of isolated areas of deep and atrophic (pitted) scars. The Dermstamp™ uses the same principle as Dermaroller™ but has a different orientation and shape of micro-needles and is employed in a slightly different way to release tethering of scars and aid removal. Dermaroller™ can be carried out on skins of all types and on allareas of the body that may suffer with acne scarring – the face, back and shoulders. Your skin naturally renews itself every 40 days so with a little stimulation the changes can be dramatic and fast.
The Procedure
Step 1: An anaesthetic ‘numbing’ cream is applied over the treatment area. This takes around 20 minutes to work, making the procedure comfortable. We can assure you of this as we have tried it ourselves!
Step 2: Anaesthetic cream is removed and skin is cleaned with an alcohol solution.
Step 3: Dr Conlon will use the Dermaroller™ on the target areas and particular attention will be paid to the areas in need of enhanced treatment where the Dermastamp will be used in combination with Dermaroller. Treatment will take around 40 minutes depending on the treatment area. During the treatment most clients feel nothing, some a slight prickling sensation or tingling. Areas treated with the Dermastamp benefit from more intense treatment and therefore may feel slightly sensitive.
Step 4: Chiroxy oxygenating skin cream is applied when the procedure is finished. Chiroxy oxygenating skin cream increases your skins O2 levels when it’s needed most and is designed to increase the oxygen content of your skin by delivering O2 via nanosomes. The activity of fibroblasts, the skins generator of collagen and elastin, is dependant on the availability of O2. Chiroxy cream also contains skin conditioning and anti-oxidant ingredients.
Step 5: Heliocare Gel SPF50 applied. Oil-free, easy-apply, light to the touch formulation, with an elegance that encourages daily use. Heliocare Gel is ideal for all skin types and particularly suitable for combination, oily and spot-prone skin. UVA /UVB filters: Ultra-advanced mineral filters and non-mineral filters expertly combined to provide high level UVA /UVB protection with an elegant skin-feel and look. It is essential to apply SPF 50 after your Dermaroller procedure for 2 weeks and this is supplied as part of your treatment.
Step 6: Beautiful regenerated scar-free skin!
Happy face and days! x
Post-Procedure Skin Care
The outer surface of the skin is left unharmed by the Dermaroller as each needle is less than 0.1mm in width enabling the skin to recover quickly. Your skin will appear red on the day of treatment – like sunburn and will be back to normal the following day. Areas treated with the Dermastamp will take 1-2 days to return to normal.
We recommend that the skin is left free from make-up on the day of the procedure but clients return to their normal skincare regime the day after. Clients are given a supply of Chiroxy oxygenating cream and Heliocare SPF50 to use after their procedure for best results. Clients must avoid sunbathing, sunbeds, saunas and retosin creams for at least 2 weeks after your procedure.
It can take up to 6 weeks before visible signs of regeneration and repair are seen and the process will continue over the following months, providing you with a natural and long lasting enhancement.
Does it really work?
Clinical trails using Dermaroller to treat scar tissue.
1. Study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology showed Dermaroller caused a good clinical improvement in acne scarring after 2-4 treatments. A good clinical improvement was defined as greater than 75% reduction in appearance of scarring. See gallery in ‘The Results’
2. Study published in 2009 in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery proved that more than 80% of patients treated with Dermaroller for scar removal rated the results as excellent with no adverse effects noted in any patients
3. Study published in the Clinical Dermatology Journal concluded that Dermaroller has an immediate effect in improving acne scars and has advantages over other procedures.
See links below for more for full clinical papers. The first three reference papers in Dermaroller reference papers.
How many treatments do I need?
We normally recommend that your Genuine Dermaroller™ Therapy™ consists of a series of three Genuine Dermaroller™ procedures with approximately 6 weeks between them. Skin remodelling will continue for months after each treatment but dramatic results can be seen within a week. Maintenance treatments would then be required annually.