Dermapen/Dermaroller

These are among the easiest and least expensive treatments you can do to stimulate dermal collagen.

Together, this is called Collagen Induction Therapy or CIT.

In each case, lots of little needles are applied into the skin. 

Each needle prick naturally makes a tiny perforation, and then each perforation has to heal with a new bit of collagen.

The recovery we see after a single needle-prick is complete and invisible, but after hundreds or thousands of little needle-pricks all the new collagen adds up to fresher skin

Dermaroller is an inexpensive wheel with perhaps a couple of hundred short needles on it. Once skin is anaesthetised with cream, and sterilised, the dermaroller wheel is rolled back and forth over the skin to created thousands of tiny perforations. It is a simple manual process. Dermarollers with very short needles are available on-line for home use. Nothing is as inexpensive as treating yourself at home.

Dermapen is a step up from a Dermaroller. It is a powered device that pushes its little needles in an out as the pen is passed over the skin. It is therefore faster, more precise and more efficient than the dermaroller, and it suitable only for professional clinic use

Skin rejuvenation/collagen stimulation. Anyone requiring more collagen in their skin or slow gentle skin rejuvenation can benefit from a series of treatments

Scar treatment. Anyone with thinned scars or atrophic scars or stretch marks can benefit (that said, this is a slow and gentle treatment. Other options are faster).

Female pattern hair loss/alopecia. There is good trial evidence that dermarolling over the scalp can help promote hair growth in those experiencing hair loss. Treatments should be done at least three times per week. It is inexpensive and can be done at home, but if you are troubled by female pattern hair loss (or male pattern hair loss) see Dr Mahony in consultation for other options

This is one of the safest treatments out there. As with any treatment involving needles, bruising and infection are possible risks but the needles involved are generally too short to cause deeper harm. Naturally it is important to always observe aseptic technique in performing these treatments - especially at home.