Archives December 2021

Dermapen vs Derma Roller: Which Is Better?

Introducing Derampen, collagen induction skin therapy. Dermapen treats a wide range of skin conditions including acne scars, wrinkles, stretch marks and fine lines, at a fraction of the cost of other alternatives.

With just a few treatments you’ll see a noticeable difference in skin tightening, texture appearance, elasticity, and firmness. In fact, 2 to 3 treatments provide a noticeable difference in your skin while 5 to 6 treatments show dramatic results. Treatments are done about 4 weeks apart for best results.

At-home skin rejuvenation treatments have skyrocketed in popularity as an affordable and convenient way to experience clinical skin treatments. And while their efficacy does vary from patient to patient, products like dermapens and derma rollers show that it’s possible to enjoy the benefits of a procedure like microneedling with the user’s convenience.

But what is the difference between dermapens from derma rollers? Both are microneedling devices that help rejuvenate the skin, but the dermapen is a more advanced tool that offers several benefits compared to the dermaroller. Aside from that, derma rollers are more accessible to the public, while dermapens are almost always found in medical and professional settings.

Dermapen is an advanced skin micro-needling system. The electronically powered multiple needles easily penetrate the skin or scar tissue to enhance and stimulate rejuvenation of the skin, while maintaining epidermal integrity and reducing downtime for the patient. The automatic vibrating function of the Dermapen increases the speed of the procedure and effectiveness, and provides absorption of medical grade products, with minimal discomfort. This treatment results in an increased production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid which in turn improves your skin’s appearance, texture and firmness.

Based on our research there’s a little confusion in the market, so our marketing team suggested we write a piece on this question, even though it is inaccurately said. Dermapen is one of the most expensive microneedling pens on the market. Our Vaney Needle Pen is the most affordable on the market. Both pens do microneedling.
Microneedling of course, is growing ever more popular, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a great treatment option that is compatible with all skin types, whether it’s oily, normal, or combination and safe on any color. It provides the same results and benefits as more invasive procedures like laser or chemical exfoliation without the risks.
If you’re a professional looking for a cost-effective option to the Dermapen that can give you the same benefits to your patients, we recommend Vaney Needle Pen.
If you’re a consumer reading this article and considering the pros and cons of at-home microneedling VS booking an office appointment, and why you might choose one over the other, then keep reading.

A Quick Review on What Is Microneedling
Microneedling is the treatment involving needles to create superficial wounds on the skin. These micro injuries are only-surface level and are not meant to leave any scars or any evidence of the needle pricking your skin.
As intimidating as the procedure might sound, the treatment is specifically designed to boost collagen production and improve cell turnover. Patients report immediate results ranging from a brighter, more youthful-glowing skin to improved skin texture with just one microneedling treatment.

Microneedling has multiple benefits, including:
The acceleration or normalization of collagen production
Smoothing of acne scars and other skin texture problems
Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles
Improvement in the appearance of hyperpigmentation spots
Enhanced complexion and more youthful appearance
Decrease stretch marks and increase hair follicle production
Microneedling cannot be done at home to the degree a professional can in a medical spa or clinic. Professional microneedling treatments are continuously adjusted to penetrate different depths for specific conditions that a special anesthetic must be used by a licensed professional. While there are plenty of products on the market billed as at-home DIY microneedling, consumers can’t legally buy a professional-grade microneedling device for use as part of their skincare regimen at home.

How Microneedling Improves Skin And Treats Wrinkles

Microneedling is a process where tiny puncture wounds are made on the upper dermis of the skin. As the skin heals, the area experiences greater amounts of blood flow. This brings much-needed nutrients to the area, increasing the production of elastin and collagen. For that reason, microneedling is often called collagen induction therapy.

Derma pens and derma rollers are two types of handheld devices used for microneedling the skin. They have a wide array of applications, ranging from treating acne marks, reducing scarring, and managing hair loss. While they work in the same way – primarily by needles making tiny puncture wounds in the skin – their mechanisms are very different.

Derma roller
Pure mechanical action, rolled against the skin
Short needles and consistent puncture depth
Can only roll horizontally against the skin
Readily accessible both inside and outside clinical treatment

Dermapen
Machine-powered pulses oscillating the needle point head
Longer needles with programmable puncture depth
Vertical angle of entry, more maneuverable overall
Somewhat difficult to access outside of professional and medical use

What Are Derma Rollers?
Derma rollers use a rolling head of hundreds of stainless steel needles to prick the skin. They’re typically used on wide areas like the face, neck, and abdominal area to treat wrinkles, acne scars, dark circles under the eyes, and other fine lines. Usually, they’re combined with other skincare products like hyaluronic acid.

Using a derma roller is fairly intuitive and doesn’t require a lot of training. However, it’s important to keep it properly sanitized and sterile, since the puncture wounds can develop into infections fairly easily. However, the maintenance of a derma roller doesn’t really require much outside of disinfecting and cleaning the needles, and perhaps finding a proper storage to prevent them from getting dull.

Derma rollers are an excellent choice if the patient only needs light treatment. They’re best suited for stretch marks and other light wrinkles that don’t need a lot of product or treatment. Combined with the right skincare product, using derma rollers can give the skin overall improvements.

What Are Dermapens?
Derma pens are handheld devices that are similar to derma rollers, but they work via oscillating pulses that quickly move the needle up and down the treatment site. Unlike rollers that move horizontally across the skin, dermapens move vertically. They’re more maneuverable than dermarollers since they’re easier to grip.

Using a dermapen requires little more time and investment since their needles and the pulses of the device can be modified to the patient’s liking. This allows for a more versatile treatment option, but it also means that there will be more trial and error before the user finds their ideal setting.

Dermapens are an excellent choice for many professional procedures since it improves the results while reducing the common drawbacks of using a derma roller. For this reason, they’re often limited to clinical and cosmetic practices, though there are a few commercial models that patients can buy and use at home.

Why Dermapens Are Better For Patients And Dermatologists
Despite their similarities in their method of action, dermapens are ultimately better for both patients and dermatologists. Aside from being a marked improvement in handling and functionality, dermapens offers some distinct advantages over derma roller use:

1. Precision treatment of wrinkles

Since derma rollers use a natural rolling action to puncture wounds on the skin, this means that the entire surface area of the roller will always hit the dermis. Derma rollers will always have a wide surface area of application, which may not be suitable for difficult areas like around the nose, eyes, lips and other dips and ridges on the body.

A dermapen has pinpoint precision with the exact area the needles touch. In addition, the settings can be configured easily to allow for more customization with how the dermapen works. This allows patients and dermatologists to consider factors like pain tolerance, expected results from the procedure, and other dynamic factors that can affect the treatment.

2. Less recovery and downtime needed after each procedure

One drawback with the horizontal action of derma rollers is that the lateral punctures leave the skin at an odd angle, which increases the likelihood of scarring and bruising. Because of the wide surface area of the derma roller, each pass increases the tearing and the trauma that the skin goes through.

This can lead to tenderness, bruising, swelling, bleeding, and other skin blemishes that can affect the quality of life of the patient. However, since dermapens can be applied with precision to prevent any unwanted areas from being punctured. The smooth action of the mechanisms also mean that there’s less chance of scarring.

3. More comfortable procedure

Using a dermapen is more natural than a derma roller, especially when it comes to handling the device. Derma rollers are limited by their overall surface area and mechanism of action, which makes it rough and unwieldy on curved surfaces. This makes treating areas like the scalp difficult because there’s no way to gauge or control how much pressure is required.

Dermapens can be adjusted right down to the needle depth, so all the user needs to do is to adjust the settings to account for differences in treatment area and overall pressure. The procedure is more comfortable since it doesn’t last as long, and there’s no need to maneuver around to treat tricker areas.

4. Controlled method of penetration

Using a derma roller can be unwieldy because of the wide surface area and the amount of needles in the roller. This doesn’t afford a lot of control for the user, since they’re limited by the roller’s overall size and the rolling action required to use the tool effectively.

But the tool design of the dermapen is different. Since it’s held vertically, the user can adjust the angle and the area affected to exactly how large or how small they want to cover. This allows for shallow treatments of wide areas and intense treatments of targeted areas for better results.

5. Versatile tool in professional hands

Derma rollers have a basic method of action, and consequently standard results. Aside from gross mishandling of the tool itself, patients can more or less expect some results after consistent and standard use, but nothing too visible or out of the ordinary.

However, dermapen use is more targeted and has better options for treatment compared to using a derma roller. This allows for visible results and flexible treatment plans if the user is skilled enough with operating it. For dermatologists and cosmetic practices, skilled use of a dermapen can help them give their clients results that are closer to their expectations.

6. Targeted application of serums and cosmetic solutions

Compounds like peptides and topical hyaluronic acid often work well with derma rollers, but they’re a better fit for dermapens and their targeted needles. Because these serums often work on specific areas of the face and body, the puncture depth and overall maneuverability of the dermapen make it a better choice.

This is especially handy with products like PEP growth factor, which may improve the appearance of hair and reduce the signs of acne scars on the treatment site. With consistent use, it has the potential to boost the results obtained by microneedling alone.

One thing that’s crucial to remember with using a dermapen is that it does require more time, investment, and cost. Derma rollers have the advantage as far as accessibility and pricing is concerned, but dermapens offer better results at premium prices. Ultimately, the choice between which tool to use is best left after taking those factors into account.

Why Consider Microneedling For Your Clients?
Microneedling is often compared to other treatments like dermaplaning. Microneedling and dermaplaning might both be skin rejuvenation treatments but they don’t exactly produce the same results. Dermaplaning is a “surface only” procedure where the top layer of dead skin cells are exfoliated off. Patients will see an immediate glow to their skin surface. Without facial (or velous) hair covering most of your face, make up glides on more smoothly and skincare products absorb a lot more quickly. Although these improvements might be significant for some patients, others might want a more drastic change to their appearance and skin health.
That’s where microneedling comes in. The handheld device creates small punctures to the skin, triggering its natural healing properties. This increases blood flow and stimulates collagen production — both of which are critical in maintaining or restoring a healthy skin appearance.
The main difference between microneedling and dermaplaning is just how extensive their results are. For patients who are looking for a quick and non-invasive exfoliation treatment, dermaplaning offers exactly that. The exfoliation isn’t similar to chemical peels where active ingredients penetrate the skin and work to break the dead cell barriers; dermaplaning is a physical exfoliating treatment designed to clear out the uppermost layer of your skin. It won’t address problems like hyperpigmentation and fine lines.
But for patients who have more extensive skin needs and want to treat problems like hyperpigmentation, acne scarring, wrinkles, poor texture, and a lack-luster complexion, microneedling is the better treatment option for these problems.

Microneedling VS Dermapen
Again, the question is wrong, but your patients are asking. Dermapen is an automatic microneedling device consisting of a cartridge with 12 microneedles. This is a professional-grade device typically found in spa and dermatology clinics. The tips can be adjusted from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm which allows treatment into the dermis to create real dramatic skin improvements. If used incorrectly, microneedling can actually cause more harm than good.
Compared to at-home “microneedling” tools, professional tools like the Vaney Needle Pen provide more control and precision, which is important when you’re trying to treat different skin conditions on different parts of the face and hard-to-reach areas like the corner of the nose or around the eyes. Your practitioner has knowledge of the skins working aspects and how to use this treatment for the safest and best outcome.
On average, a microneedling session costs between $150 and $700 each, depending on the local market. Patients can expect to shell out as much as $400 to get the best results from a microneedling treatment, regardless of who manufactured the pen – us, Dermapen or whoever.
Meanwhile, home microneedling pens cost anywhere from $29 upwards, depending on the quality. These disposable microneedling pens are affordable tools you can use at home but at what risk. Problems with increased pigmentation, infection and even reversing collagen production can be caused by improper use. Having a regimented home skin care routine along with professional microneedling treatments will give the best outcome.

Dermapen: Is It Worth It?
Not only is the Dermapen 3 times the cost of the Vaney Needle Pen, the needles are almost 3 times the cost. We are confident the Dermapen is not worth it and our hundreds of happy customers would agree. What patients care about is that their microneedling treatment is performed by a skilled professional, and of course, results.
What About At-Home Tools or Dermarollers and At-Home Microneedling?
If your client brings it up, here are some key points to help them consider. The truth is that at-home treatments are no comparison to in-clinic sessions. While at-home and professional microneedling tools look the same, there is a critical difference: the length of the needles. On average, the length of the needles on an in-office microneedling tool is .25mm to 2.5mm, sometimes reaching 3mm to address scarring. In contrast, the needles on an at-home dermaroller is usually only between .25mm and .5mm.

Here are things you might want to consider when deciding between an at-home roller or booking a dermapen appointment:
Cost: You can get some results with a dermaroller without the hefty price tag of a Dermapen appointment. But that comes with some limitations and risks. Yes, a 0.5mm MT dermaroller, which is one of the needle settings on the Dermapen, costs $29 compared to the $300 cost of a single session but specific areas cannot be treated with a dermaroller due to its size.
Limitations: Although derma rollers can be used at home they do not have the ability to adjust depth for different areas of the face for different skin conditions. The Dermapen, operated by a licensed professional has the ability to treat into the dermis where collagen is produced. There are lots of articles and videos that can teach you how to use a dermaroller but there will always be limitations. Do your research before you incorporate dermarollers into your routine.

Cross-contamination: Although microneedling can lend that dewy glow immediately, in home dermaroller treatments come with the risk of spreading germs and causing infection. With not having the ability to properly clean the derma roller, shin cells, blood and other debris can be pushed into the open wounds during the procedure. Patients typically need to routinely have microneedling once every four to six weeks to get the best results and it is best to do 3 aggressive treatments that are safe then risk infection. For scars and stretch marks, experts typically recommend 3 to 6 treatments until the appearance of stretch marks and scars begin to improve. Keeping up with your routine with Dermapen can be expensive, but advanced protocols are the only way to actually make visible change.

Skin injury: Using a derma roller causes undue injury to the skin because of its round configuration. In addition the needles become dull after each treatment causing more trauma. If your skin is particularly sensitive, inform your doctor and they will start with a less aggressive dermapen treatment. Dermarolling. Buying a dermaroller and performing microneedling at home looks appealing but at what cost.

Here are situations and reasons why booking a professional microneedling session is better than your patient trying to DIY their own microneedling at home:
You need dermatology-grade skin care products: You might need more advanced skin care products to treat your issues. Using professional-grade products at your dermatologist’s clinic is always the better option for safety as well as results
You’re doing microneedling with RF therapy: Some patients combine microneedling with radiofrequency therapy treatments to get the results they want. Since you can’t do RF at home, again they want to go see a professional.
If you want to use microneedling as an occasional treatment, you might be better off scheduling infrequent visits with your dermatologist or favorite local med spa.

Tips For Successful Microneedling
Our marketing team said we needed to find a way to keep this heading at the top for SEO, so we decided to remind you to reinforce to your patients that the only way they should try microneedling at home is if you are offering in-home visits. Even then, not ideal because of the need for a clean and sterile environment.
Set realistic expectations. Results from microneedling vary depending on skin problems. For patients who are looking to improve the appearance of scars and hyperpigmentation, final results will be visible 3 months after a series of microneedling treatments..
Set a microneedling schedule that works for your patient. Make sure they understand the frequency needed to achieve their desired results.
Purchase, use and maintain a quality microneedling pen. Do research on multiple microneedling pens. Expensive pens don’t always mean it’s good or better quality. It’s best to buy your pen and cartridges from a reliable and proven source. (when you compare Vaney Needle Pen to your other options, we’re easily the best value)
Treatments should not be done more frequently than every four weeks, as it will actually reverse collagen production. Microneedling stimulates the regrowth of cells, and this process organically takes a few weeks to occur. Microneedling speeds up the process, but it doesn’t accelerate it any further with continuous use. It is possible to do too much microneedling or dermarolling and harm your skin.
Always use a new cartridge for each treatment and never share a cartridge with anyone. For patient safety they are single use only and should not be sterilized.
Continually adjust needle depth for area being treated and the skin condition that is being targeted.
Increase the effectiveness of your clients’ microneedling sessions by applying topical skincare products. Microneedling promotes better absorption providing maximum benefits in the process. Be careful not to over exfoliate the face; using AHAs and BHAs might not be ideal if you see signs of discomfort.