Skin Needling 101: All The Facts You Want To Know

Also known as microneedling, dermarolling, or collagen induction therapy, skin needling involves, as you guessed it, rolling tiny needles over your face.

I know that sounds terrifying, but it has amazing anti-ageing and rejuvenation benefits.

Skin needling works by very lightly puncturing the surface of the skin to trigger repair, encouraging collagen and elastin production. It also allows active topical ingredients to penetrate the skin more effectively, giving you enhanced results from your skincare products.

You can expect a reduction in fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and scarring, along with an overall improvement in skin texture, all without the downtime of laser treatment or peels.

Joanna demonstrates how to use an at-home microneedling device below.

Being careful not to be too heavy-handed, roll the tool in a back and forth motion (what we call ‘passes’) over small sections of skin at a time in a horizontal fashion. Repeat this process in a vertical pattern, then diagonally.

1. Cleanse the skin thoroughly and pat dry

2. Apply a correcting, hydrating or anti-ageing serum first for more sensitive skin

3. For more active delivery, follow the rolling technique by applying your serum

4. Follow with your preferred moisturiser

5. Clean your roller attachment with alcohol in the provided sterilising tray

Here's some of our favourite derma rollers which you can read more about in our guide on the Best at Home Derma Rollers

Nope, not at all. You’ll experience a prickling sensation as your run the roller over your skin, but you are in control of how heavy-handed you are, so if you’re finding it uncomfortable, just be a little gentler. At-home needling tools should not make your skin bleed, and should be used very carefully.

For beginners, I’d recommend starting with a hydrating serum like Skinceuticals H.A Intensifier, and as your skin adapts and becomes more tolerant of the needling process, you can introduce products like The Ordinary Buffet and Dermalogica Biolumin-C. For the body, I’d recommend using asap’s cellulite and skin firming treatment after needling.

You can use your skin needling tool weekly, fortnightly or monthly – whatever frequency your skin tolerates and responds to best. I’d recommend starting off at once a fortnight with a gentle hydrating serum to build up your skin’s tolerance before you start using it more frequently and with stronger actives. You can also have this treatment performed professionally with a dermal clinician.

Yes, as long as they are sanitised properly. Before using your device, ensure you purchase an alcohol-based steriliser to clean the tool after every use. If using very regularly, consider replacing your tool every few months.