"I Tried Dermarolling To Remove My Scars Before My Big Day And Here's The Lowdown"

Which girl doesn't want fabulous, flawless skin on her wedding? Actually, scrap that, which girl doesn't want flawless skin every day of her life? We know we do, but not all of us are blessed in that department now, are we? So we spoke to a Real Bride, Akshita, who got a unique new procedure done to her face before her wedding- Dermarolling, and we asked her for a review! Over to her as she tells us all about it!

First things first, what is Dermarolling?

It's a relatively new-ish phenomenon - for women looking to get plump, even-toned skin for their big day. Dermarolling is the process of using a derma roller, a roller with hundreds of tiny needles attached to it (picture a prickly lint roller) to clean your skin. It's a handheld device which is rolled over the skin. It's also called micro needling and is used on two types of skin: Scarred / hyperpigmented skin and the second, skin that is dull and lifeless. It can also be used for wrinkles and stretch marks. 

How does it work?

It's known to induce collagen production in depressed acne scars and gives them new life. Look at it this way, when you induce your skin to small pinpricks, that sends a signal to your body that it's injury and your body will rush collagen into your skin to repair it and collagen means plump skin, new skin and reduction of the appearance of scars and wrinkles. Simple as that!  More like short-term wounding of the skin to make a new healthier skin. It also helps your skincare products penetrate deeper into the skin and work better!

Why did you get it done?

A friend of mine who tried this recommended the procedure to me as I wanted flawless skin for my wedding as I was dealing with acne scars and enlarged pores for a long time. It's a relatively small process - not a huge invasive treatment so I was game to try it on. Besides, it's also not time-consuming and the effects stay longer. 

What did the dermat do in the session?

I was asked to lie down and an anaesthetic cream was applied to numb the pain, and she rolled the skin with tiny needles. This is done to stimulate collagen and elastin creation in the skin which improves the overall texture as well as helps in rejuvenating the skin. So basically the roller is rolled over the skin and makes tiny punctures on it, which triggers repair as it produces new collagen. The Dermaroller needles are around 0.5-1.5 mm in length so it's more like a pinprick, an irritating one at that. After a 45-minute session, an after-session balm is applied to soothe the skin. The rolling is done is a criss-cross manner and any bleeding during the needling is taken care of. You can also only do certain areas on your face if you want, it takes around 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the extent of the area to be treated. 

Does it hurt? Is the procedure scary?

It doesn't hurt that much, plus they use a numbing cream. It's like mild irritation, the puncture holes are not very deep. 

Immediately after the procedure- you will get tiny bumps on your face

Any cons of the procedure?

The only thing I felt was that it has a longish recovery period - expect redness and swelling for 3-4 days and mild peeling for a week. Though there will be after-effects, they are not a major con. Plus, you also need to wear sunscreen all day, every day and not go out too much. 

How was your experience with Dermarolling?

I loved it and felt super pretty! It had fabulous results- my skin almost felt like new! The results were visible from the first session itself! I had visibly clearer skin with an improved texture and a subtle glow!

 There are so many derma roller treatments that you can do at home but why did you choose a clinic?

Dermaroller treatments are better and safer at a clinic because you are in expert hands are safest when done in a clinic. First, start with an expert trying it on you, then move to a gadget you can work on, yourself!  Home use derma rollers have needles up to 0.15 mm in length, smaller than what clinics use and that means, lesser penetration and more work. Clinic experiences are more result-oriented. Alos, keep in mind, the risk of infection due to bleeding from home dermarolling. Only someone who is meticulous with sterilizing and disinfecting can try it out. In any case, home dermarolling is oriented towards inducing collagen and increasing the penetration of skincare products rather than treating deep acne scars - that's the work of an expert.

Who would you recommend this for?

Anyone who doesn't have a flawless skin - Dermaroller helps with scars, pits, wrinkles and almost everything else! It sounds scary but isn't at all and the results are worth it!

Where did you get it done?

I got it done by Meenu Sethi in Gurgaon. She customized a plan for me with Dermarolling sessions along with peels. 

How much does a treatment cost?

Dermaroller treatments in India can cost anywhere between 1500 to 5000 depending on the reputation of the clinic. I paid Rs 3000 per session.  

How often can you get it done? 

You will need between 3 to 6 sittings to see good results. And a minimum of 6 weeks is recommended between two treatments as it takes that long for new natural collagen to form - so it's a long drawn process that comes with exceptional results. 

ALSO READ: 10 Bridal Beauty Appointments You Need To Make Before Your Wedding!