Thinking of Buying A Derma Roller? Here Are 3 Tips To Help You

If you have decided to try at home derma rolling, otherwise known as a  microneedling, you may feel a little overwhelmed by all the different brands available. Don’t feel bad, you're certainly not alone — with so many options available, it's definitely confusing. As the Community Manager of the Derma Rolling community, I decided to do some research to bring you some helpful tips on selecting a roller. Tip 1:  Don't be cheap. A low price should not be the main factor when buying a derma roller. Do your research and shop from reputable sellers. I caution you on purchasing from online shops selling no-name rollers, although some of them may be good, I would be very suspicious if the roller is too cheap. If you are looking to buy the original Derma Roller, look no longer, it is only sold to medical professionals. Tip 2: Check customer feedback. The market is flooded with derma rollers all claiming to the best — most of these are low quality knock off's. Do your homework and carefully check the sellers feedback. Tip 3: Choose the appropriate needle length. Derma rollers are not a one sized fits all solution. Carefully consider the needle length for both safety and the skin issue you are treating. The common needle lengths available for at home use are 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm and 1.5 mm. Although there are some online shops that offer rollers with needle lengths up to 2.5 mm, be aware that longer needles have the potential risk of doing more damage than good. I personally would avoid anything longer than 1.5 mm, especially on the face. Doctor Jerome Edelstein 'would recommend home rolling with a .3 mm roller' and he suggests that the at-home treatment 'be used alongside any in-office treatment'. [Read more] RealSelfer Maria_1979, warns that  'the 540 needle isn't really recommended widely, look into it'. [Read more] I did some further research, and this roller appears to be more like mini knives rather than microneedles. I found a video that shows the 540 roller up close and it looks pretty scary to me: Related: WOULD YOU 'NEEDLE' YOUR FACE FOR BEAUTY? HONG KONG WARNS AGAINST DERMA ROLLERINTEREST IN MICRO-NEEDLING GREW 228% IN 2014: IS THE WRINKLE REDUCER REALLY WORTH IT?As with any at-home procedures, there are potential risks involved. RealSelfer Lisa Jane claims 'the roller has left me with micro lines and enlarged pores all over my forehead'. [Read more]  Be sure to take the time to educate yourself fully before starting treatment, there are lots of  reviews  and FAQ's related to home rolling here on RealSelf to help you along the way. If you have any tips on purchasing a derma roller, please feel free to share them in the comments section below.