If you’ve heard about the latest beauty trends in skin resurfacing and anti-aging treatments, you may have come across Dermapen and Dermaroller. These two procedures offer a variety of benefits that can help improve the health of your skin and reduce signs of aging. However, when it comes to deciding which one is right for you, there are some significant differences between them both.
In this article, we’ll explore why Dermapen and Dermarollers work differently, discuss their advantages, and provide insight into their benefits and which is better. Read on to discover all the facts about each device—so you know exactly what to expect. Let’s begin.
What is a Dermapen?
Dermapen is a handheld device that uses microneedles to stimulate collagen production in the skin and reduce wrinkles, acne scars, pigmentation, and more. Dermapen creates very small microchannels within the skin’s dermis, which promote healing and collagen regeneration. It also has adjustable needle length settings.
What is a Dermaroller?
Dermaroller is a tool that uses a cylinder covered in tiny microneedles to cause microscopic punctures in the skin. This causes an inflammatory reaction that triggers collagen production, leading to increased skin firmness and an evening out of acne scars and wrinkles.
The needles are typically 0.2 – 0.3 mm long, and the Dermaroller is used by rolling it on your skin in multiple directions. [1]
Dermapen vs. Dermaroller Benefits
Dermapen and dermaroller are devices used for improving skin health. They both use micro-needling, a technique that involves poking tiny holes in the skin to encourage collagen production and healing. [2]
Because of its many advantages, microneedling is becoming increasingly popular. It may be tailored to each individual’s needs and is supposed to renew and plump the skin with minimum pain and downtime.
Also, it can make your skin feel and look better. It can help to reduce stretch marks, scars, wrinkles, and other skin problems.
Unlike other face rejuvenation methods, which may cause skin discoloration if they employ heat, light, or lasers, this one doesn’t. For this reason, those with darker skin tones benefit greatly from microneedling.
Dermapen vs. Dermaroller for Stretch Marks
Individual outcomes from using dermal rollers and dermapens for the treatment of stretch marks will vary based on the patient’s skin type, the consistency of their treatment regimen, and the efficacy of the specific product used. Dermatologists may prescribe microneedling as a treatment option, but the technique hasn’t been proven to eliminate stretch marks, so patients should have realistic expectations.
However, dermapen is the preferred device for treating stretch marks. The needles may puncture the skin at a 90-degree angle, boosting the efficacy of treatments by facilitating the deeper penetration and more rapid absorption of goods thanks to the device’s variable speeds and depth settings.
Dermapen vs. Dermaroller for Acne Scars
Both Dermapen and Dermaroller are effective in treating acne scars. Dermapen’s adjustable needle length settings allow for more precise treatment of scarring, creating a uniform healing response and reducing the visibility of the scarring.
The Dermaroller is effective for removing acne scars. Additionally, because the Dermaroller creates larger wounds than Dermapen, it takes longer to heal and may cause more discomfort.
Dermapen vs. Dermaroller: How to Use Them for Microneedling Treatment
How to Use a Dermapen
Dermapen is easy to use and requires minimal prep before a treatment session. First, cleanse your skin to remove any dirt or makeup residue. Then, apply a topical numbing cream to minimize the discomfort that may arise during the procedure.
When using Dermapen, it is important to move the device in all directions across your skin, ensuring that the treatment is even.
How to Use a Dermaroller
The Dermaroller also requires minimal prep before a session—cleansing and applying a numbing cream are both important steps. However, when you use the Dermaroller, it’s important to roll it across your skin in multiple directions, making sure not to apply too much pressure.
Dermapen vs. Dermaroller: Side Effects and Risks
Microneedling has been mostly accepted as safe and effective by the medical community, but it does have certain risks and side effects. There is a high potential for post-procedure skin discomfort. Other potential adverse effects include localized pain and swelling, discoloration and bruising, skin dryness and peeling, and more. [3]
Also, bleeding is a rare side effect of microneedling. However, it may increase with more intensive treatment. Those with bleeding problems or who take blood-thinning medication may also be at a higher risk of bleeding. You must tell your doctor about this before undergoing this procedure.
However, more significant adverse effects are also possible, including altered skin pigmentation resulting from infection and subsequent treatment with topical medicines. Also, some medical tools provide extra hazards — those involving energy or heat use might raise the risk of burns.
Finally, microneedling is only appropriate for some. You cannot perform microneedling on people with active acne, keloid scarring, and unstable skin types. The potential for adverse effects can be reduced by consulting a dermatologist or other medical skin care specialist with experience performing the procedure.
Dermapen vs. Dermaroller: Which is Better?
The main difference between a dermapen and dermaroller is that a dermapen uses adjustable needle length settings, whereas dermaroller only has one fixed-size needle.
Dermapen usually requires fewer treatments than dermaroller, and dermapen has a smaller learning curve for operators. It is also less painful and produces better results than the dermaroller. It also causes more precise damage to the skin. In contrast, dermaroller causes more widespread damage, leading to more inflammation and a greater risk of side effects.
Dermapens resemble derma rollers, but instead of rolling the needle across the skin, oscillating pulses rapidly move the needle up and down the treatment area. In contrast to rollers, which glide horizontally over the skin, dermapens move vertically. Since they are simpler to hold, they allow for greater precision and control than dermarollers.
Overall, dermapen has many advantages over the dermaroller regarding minimizing wrinkles, acne scars, and other skin conditions. Also, dermapen provides better results with fewer treatments and less risk of side effects and complications. It is also a more precise, automated device requiring less skill and time to operate.
Dermapen vs. Dermaroller at Home
The dermapen is considered a medical-grade device and should only be used by professionals. Dermaroller, on the other hand, is available to purchase for home use.
When using a dermaroller at home, one must be careful with the sterile technique and understand how to properly operate the tool before attempting any treatments.
Bottomline: Comparing the Dermapen and Dermaroller
If you are considering using a microneedling device at home, you must consult your doctor or dermatologist first. Though there are devices on the market that can be purchased without a prescription, they may be less safe and effective than those that require a professional to operate them. Microneedling can provide significant results in reducing the appearance of wrinkles, scars, and other skin conditions, but only when used properly.
Dermapen is a great option if you consider incorporating microneedling into your beauty routine at home or the spa. It is more precise, has fewer side effects and complications, requires less time to operate, and provides better results with fewer treatments overall. Be sure to consult a professional beforehand and take sterile precautions when using any microneedling device at home.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
- Iriarte C, Awosika O, Rengifo-Pardo M, Ehrlich A. Review of applications of microneedling in dermatology. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017 Aug 8;10:289-298. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S142450. PMID: 28848356; PMCID: PMC5556180.
- Singh A, Yadav S. Microneedling: Advances and widening horizons. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2016 Jul-Aug;7(4):244-54. doi: 10.4103/2229-5178.185468. PMID: 27559496; PMCID: PMC4976400.
- Gowda A, Healey B, Ezaldein H, Merati M. A Systematic Review Examining the Potential Adverse Effects of Microneedling. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2021 Jan;14(1):45-54. Epub 2021 Jan 1. PMID: 33584968; PMCID: PMC7869810.
