When microneedling is done right, either at home or in a clinic, you can enjoy smoother, healthier-looking, and ageless skin over time. But be warned, at-home microneedling gone wrong is a different story.
If you put your skin in the hands of an inexperienced practitioner using inferior and unsterile equipment it can result in nasty microneedling side effects—the kind you might have seen splashed on the Internet. You could even end up with permanently damaged skin if the proper protocols aren’t followed.
This article is for you if you’ve ever asked one of the following questions:
- “What are the side effects of microneedling?”
- “Can microneedling damage my skin?”
- “What are the risks of microneedling?”
Stick with us as we reveal the answer to all these questions and more.
The Risk of Performing Microneedling at Home
Microneedling is now a common at-home procedure. And we’re all for it, as long you’re using the correct equipment in a sterile environment. It’s a great way to rejuvenate your skin and achieve a year-round glow from the comfort of your home.
However, the budget-conscious may be tempted into trying cheap alternatives like inferior Dermapen-copied devices which may inaccurately measure needle depth and use cheap steel needles that bur in the skin, or derma rollers to get the same benefits promised by in-clinic microneedling.
The unfortunate truth is that aside from additional pain and longer healing time, any derma roller users suffer from side effects. These include infection, scarring, skin pigment changes, and adverse reaction to topical products used during the procedure. Let’s take a look at what each of these common microneedling side effects could mean for your skin and how to avoid them!
Side Effect 1: Higher Risk of Infection
At-home derma roller enthusiasts could be forgiven for thinking that the more they perform microneedling, the better their results will be. It seems to make sense, right? But we’re here to dispel the misconception that increasing frequency leads to fast results. Please be aware that performing microneedling more than once a week increases your risk of infection.
Using a derma roller over and over again without correct hygiene practices also increases your risk of cross-contamination and infection.
Solution: Only use Dermapen HOME microneedling device with its sterile single-use needle cartridges. Wait until your skin is healed (about 7-10 days) before performing another procedure.
Side Effect 2: Scarring
If you’re thinking about using at-home derma rollers to treat scarring, think again. Any kind of microneedling can exacerbate the condition if performed incorrectly or the wrong pen is used.
There‘s a certain depth the needles need to penetrate the skin to stimulate collagen production. Only highly trained aestheticians and doctors know which microneedling pen to use and the correct depth to penetrate the skin. They’re highly skilled at calibrating the equipment to get you the best results with minimum pain or side effects.
Attempting to improve your scars with microneedling at home may cause more harm than good to your skin. Puncturing too deep can result in rupture of capillaries. Shallow microneedling won’t have any effect on improving the scarring problem.
Solution: This is one best left to the professionals! The Dermapen 4 (only available for in-clinic use) comes with a Scar Treatment Setting that auto-calibrates speed and depth up to 3mm to reduce the appearance of scars.
Side Effect 3: Prolonged Inflammation and Hyperpigmentation
Why suffer microneedling side effects like pain, prolonged redness, or hyperpigmentation if you don’t have to? Some derma roller or microneedling pen fans get overexcited and forget that the skin needs time to heal to produce collagen and elastin.
If you perform at-home microneedling more than prescribed, you‘ll notice the very same skin problems you‘re attempting to overcome only get worse.
Solution: To avoid skin inflammation, hyperpigmentation issues, and slow healing, stick to the step-by-step Dermapen HOME instructions and only use Dp Dermaceuticals—the NON-NEGOTIABLES when microneedling.
Your DermapenWorld Authorised Treatment Provider can also give you the right information on how to perform microneedling safely and effectively at home to avoid these unfortunate side effects and achieve your best results yet.
Avoid Microneedling Damage
Microneedling is a very delicate procedure requiring a sophisticated device for the best results. Practitioners also need extensive training and comprehensive knowledge in aesthetics and/or dermatology to administer the procedure correctly.
If, after seeing the incredible rejuvenation on offer, microneedling at home is something you’re interested in, we highly recommend first consulting a professional. Once you’ve experienced microneedling at an authorised Dermapen clinic and have learned how to use an at-home Dermapen HOME pen correctly and safely, you’ll be better able to optimise your results and avoid any bad microneedling side effects.
ocate a DermapenWorld Authorised Treatment Provider near you today!
If you are a professional and wish to learn how to become a DermapenWorld Authorised Treatment Provider, click here.