Best Microneedling Pen and Microneedling Rollers

What is microneedling?

At its core, microneedling is a technique that creates itty-bitty punctures in the skin to trigger the production of collagen and elastin. By kickstarting the growth of fresh tissues and regenerating cells with these little punctures, the skin renews and becomes tighter and smoother. This is why microneedling is a go-to treatment for reducing acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles and promoting a much healthier and smoother complexion.

Is it safe to do it at home?

Microneedling at home is considered a safe procedure as long as you follow some basic instructions. In the end, the technique involves creating tiny holes in your skin, so it’s hard to ignore some possible risks. However, provided that you follow a few rules, the chances of infections or scarring are null. As you would have probably guessed, the most important thing is to work sterile, have cleansed and dry skin, and a disinfected tool. Pick the right needle length and never reuse a cartridge!

Another possible risk can occur if your skin is not ready to use a microneedling pen. What does this mean? I’ll start with my own experience. It took me one year of monthly facials to get rid of the acne I had until the cosmetologist could even consider microneedling my face. The conclusion is never to do the microneedling if you have active acne. You actually risk spreading the bacteria and getting even more breakouts. The same goes if you have sun-damaged skin, eczema, rosacea, infections, or a damaged barrier. Also, if you’re pregnant, nursing, or have recently undergone a surgical procedure, you should avoid the treatment.

How to use microneedling pens?

Using a microneedling pen wrong can cause micro-tears in the skin, which can lead to scarring and hyperpigmentation. To avoid these issues while using a derma pen at home, it’s crucial to handle the pen gently when applying the needles to your skin and use a back-and-forth motion.

The goal of the treatment is not to draw blood but rather to induce precise and deliberate micro-injuries that serve as stimuli for cell regeneration. So, your skin will likely turn red, which is ok. If you’re bleeding, it means you’re putting too much pressure and risk compromising your skin barrier.

Which microneedling cartridge is best?

Another key factor in getting the most out of microneedling is using the correct cartridge and needle length. Choosing the wrong microneedling cartridge or needle length for your skin can lead to side effects such as bleeding, redness, slight bruising, dryness, irritations, or skin flakiness. These are the standard options for home use:

The nano pin cartridges:

Are small and fine needles typically designed to be used as often as twice a week and create tiny channels in the skin without causing visible trauma. This makes them ideal for newcomers. Also, they’re effective for delivering ingredients like vitamins, antioxidants, and peptides deep into the skin’s layers to promote faster and more effective absorption.

12-pin cartridges:

These address superficial fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and dullness. You shouldn’t use them more often than once every four weeks.

24 pins cartridges:

These are a bit more aggressive and should be used cautiously. They help improve deeper wrinkles, acne scars, and loss of firmness.

36 pins cartridges:

You should leave these ones for the body to address stretch marks, scars, and cellulite. Never use them on your face.

Which needle length is safe and effective for home use?

There is no universal guideline for determining the ideal needle length for microneedling treatments. To achieve optimal results, it’s necessary to frequently adjust the depth of needle penetration by manipulating the device’s dial in response to the treatment area and your skin condition.

Here are what needle lengths work best for different areas of the body:

For the forehead: 0.25-0.5mm
For nose and eye area: 0.25-0.5mm
Cheek and chin: 0.5-1.0mm
For facial scaring: 1.0-1.25mm
For stretch marks: 1.5-2.0mm

What to apply to the skin after using a microneedling pen?

After the treatment, your skin is primed to absorb topical products more effectively because they go straight into the opened pores. So after microneedling is ideal to reach for hydrating, calming, and regenerating ingredients to work with the skin’s renewing process, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, squalane, peptides, and niacinamide.

How often to use a microneedling pen?

One answer doesn’t fit all. The frequency depends on the pen needle’s size and your skin sensitivity. However, you shouldn’t use it too often since the skin needs time to fully recover. As a general rule, using microneedling pens once every two to four weeks will work just fine for most people.

The best microneedling pens to try

Assuming you’ve solved the puzzle of how to do this technique yourself safely, you can now explore the best microneedling pens from BuyDrPen.com to use at home.

How to take care of your skin before and after microneedling

Taking proper care of your skin before and after using a microneedling pen not only minimizes side effects but also enhances the benefits and makes the experience more enjoyable. While using a gentle cleanser and moisturizer post-treatment is a good start, there are more things you can do:

Perform the treatment on clean skin and never on active breakouts, sun-damaged skin, or irritated and inflamed skin.
Use a numbing cream, a hyaluronic acid serum, or aloe vera gel before microneedling to create a protective film between your skin and the device.
Apply a reparative serum with peptides, niacinamide, ceramides, or hyaluronic acid right after the treatment to speed up skin recovery.
Apply sunscreen with at least 30 SPF when you go out.
Avoid prolonged sun exposure after microneedling.
Avoid using self-tanning products for a week after the treatment.
Bypass products that contain chemical acids, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and high concentrations of vitamin C for the next 24 hours.
Don’t apply foundation for the next 48 hours.
Avoid sweating or exercising vigorously for at least 24 hours after the treatment—the sweat can clog the pores and trigger breakouts.
Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet to support skin healing.
Now you have everything set up: you found the best microneedling pen for you, you know what cartridge and needle length to use and you know how to prepare your skin before and after microneedling.

If you still have questions about derma pens, please contact us.