The Best Derma Rollers for Microneedling at Home, According to a Skincare Expert

Microneedling is one of our absolute favorite services to improve the texture and tone of aging skin. It's a bit trickier than your typical treatment if you're attempting this one at home, so we wanted to ensure that we learned all there is to know before we go puncturing our skin with a million tiny holes. (Yes, that's literally what we're doing here, folks!)

We realize this sounds a little intense, so we chatted with one of our favorite skincare experts, Kataryna Parciak, a medical aesthetician at La Suite at Union Square Laser Dermatology, to demystify this transformative treatment. "Microneedling therapy is a minimally invasive, nonsurgical and nonablative procedure for facial rejuvenation that involves the use of a microneedling device to create a controlled skin injury," she explained. "As each fine needle punctures the skin, it creates a channel, or micro-wound. The controlled injury triggers the body to fill these micro-wounds by producing new collagen and elastin."

The procedure reduces scars caused by acne, surgery, or thermal burns. It fades stretch marks, reduces fine lines and deep wrinkles, and tightens sagging skin. It's also a great procedure for hyper-pigmented skin. But who is a good candidate for this treatment?

"Almost every adult is a good candidate for this procedure. Microneedling is a good alternative to invasive treatments for people who want results without a long recovery period," Parciak said. "It works great with skin discolorations, wrinkles, or dull skin. Fine lines can be improved, and pigmentation issues lessened, with a series of micro-needling treatments."

Even though it's well-tolerated by most patients, dryness, scaling, redness, and swelling may occur after treatment. These effects could last for several days or longer, depending on the depth of penetration of the needles. To combat this, Parciak recommends moisturizers, antioxidants, and sunscreen post-treatment for several weeks.

Since some skin types can be sensitive, it's best to start slow with your at-home microneedling routine. "I would recommend starting once or twice a week and then working up to five times a week if the skin can tolerate it," she said. "Apply serum before and after rolling the skin for better penetrations to prevent any scratches."

She also let us know that it's very important to use good-quality rollers and skincare products, as you are introducing it deep into the skin. You should clean and sterilize the roller regularly to prevent infections and change it every 3 to 6 months.

Our Favorites:
Best of the Best: Beauty Bioscience GloPRO Regeneration Tool
Amazon’s Choice: Sdara Skincare Dermaroller
Great for Beginners: Healthy Care Titanium Microneedle Derma Roller
Spa Quality: Environ Gold Roll-CIT
Best Roller Alternative: Nurse Jamie Beauty Stamp
Best for Body: Skinmedix XL Micro Needle Roller 1.5 MM for Body

Ready to try your hand at microneedling at home? Read on to discover the best derma-roller tool for your skin!