Microneedling Can Reduce Scars and Wrinkles—We Tested and Found the Best Derm Rollers to DIY the Treatment (2024)

Our Top Picks

Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Replaceable roller heads

This tool from StackedSkincare comes with an ergonomic handle that allows you to easily control the pressure you’re using, avoiding any damage to the epidermis as it glides over the skin. It also comes with two replacement heads which can be swapped out as needed.

We loved how surprisingly gentle this derma roller was on our skin. It left a little redness, which is to be expected, but no irritation. Our skincare products were absorbed more easily after using it. The derma roller was adept at improving uneven skin texture, leaving it glowy and radiant, and we noticed the fine lines around our eyes were also less noticeable. Unfortunately, our hyperpigmentation remained about the same.

Tester age 35-44 with dry skin: Overall, I love that this product was mild on the skin with little to no irritation. Over time it really helped with the texture of my skin as well as the fine lines around my eyes.

Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: 0.25mm stainless steel micro-needles, can be used on the scalp

This budget-friendly derma roller from Kitsch proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to get great results. The non-slip handle and head studded with 540 0.25 medical-grade micro-needles allow you to quickly treat your entire face, exfoliating the skin and reducing the appearance of imperfections. As a bonus, it can even be used on the scalp to stimulate hair growth.

We found the Kitsch derma roller really easy to use—so much so that we officially added it to our everyday evening skincare routine. Although we didn’t notice any dramatic improvements there was a slight reduction in wrinkles. We wish it came with a replacement head or instructions indicating when it should be replaced.

Tester age 55-64 with dry, mature skin: I often applied an exfoliating serum after using the tool. I occasionally felt a slight tingling from that product as it was able to penetrate a little deeper because of the roller.

Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Three options for different areas of the face and body

The Angel Kiss Titanium Microneedling Roller Kit comes with three separate rollers; one for the face, with 720 needles; one for the body, with 1200 needles; and one designed for the delicate eye area; with 300 needles. With its swappable heads and handy case, it’s one of the most versatile we tried.

It took us a week to get used to the sensation of using this derma roller, but once we did, we could appreciate the way it helps reduce hyperpigmentation and fine lines. At first, our skin turned a little red, but it quickly adjusted and by the second week. We felt noticeably glowier—especially because it helped products settle into our skin. We liked that the variety of roller head sizes made it easy to tackle the different areas of the face. Our only complaint is that the kit’s cleaning compartment was too small to fit the roller heads inside.

Tester age 25-34 with dry, acne-prone skin: I've been trying anti-aging treatments and this seems like the only thing that has helped stop the clock.

Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Comes in three colors, 0.25mm microneedles.

The ORA Roller’s 0.25mm titanium microneedles penetrate the skin to the perfect depth, boosting collagen and elastin and helping to reduce the appearance of acne scars and fine lines. Aesthetically speaking, this is a tool you’ll want to display on your vanity; it comes in three colors including the pretty gold version that we used.

Immediately after using it, we experienced some redness—which is to be expected—but that quickly faded, leaving us with a more glowy complexion. The biggest benefit was seeing a reduction in acne; after a week of use, we had almost no breakouts. If we had to pick an area for improvement, it’s that we wish the roller came with a complementary serum to maximize results.

Tester age 25-34 with acne-prone skin: Typically, if I don't keep up with my facial regimen my skin breaks out. I have not really had any breakouts since using the derma roller.

Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: LED light therapy, 540 needles

This one's a favorite of the Byrdie team. It was created by the inventor and patent holder of microneedling technology (file under, Why didn’t we think of that?). Rolling the 540 needles over your skin improves the absorption of topical products a whopping 200 times, but the benefits don’t stop there. It also delivers red LED light therapy, great for fighting inflammation and helping with collagen production, plus a unique Vibrotactile Stimulation to up these effects even more. You can even purchase separate heads for the body, eyes, and lips so that you can use this top-notch tool from head to toe.

Dr. Rachel Nazarian loves that this tool combines derma rolling with LED red light to double up on your collagen stimulation, and we wholeheartedly agree. After using the tool two to three times a week we were impressed with the results, which included a reduction in our forehead lines and brighter, more even skin overall. The tool did cause a little irritation and redness, especially after we applied our favorite vitamin C serum, but it didn’t last long.

Tester age 25-34 with normal-to-dry skin: I think it's a nice higher-end skin tool for anyone looking to improve fine lines or texture. I'm looking forward to getting the other heads for the eye area, lips, and body to try out, too.

Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Four replacement heads, with 600 titanium micro needles per head

To get the most out of your derma roller its needles should be sharp and sterilized. Besides cleaning with alcohol after each use, Dr. Rachel Nazarian also recommends changing out the needle heads about every two or three months—or more often if you notice them dulling. When that time comes, you’ll appreciate that the Dermaroll by Prosper Beauty boasts four replacement heads—each studded with 600 ultra-string titanium needles.

At first, we found this roller to be sharp and irritating on our skin, but after a few uses, we adjusted to the sensation. After three weeks of using the tool approximately two-to-three times a week, there were noticeable results: hyperpigmentation faded, pores looked smaller, and acne cleared up.

Tester age 18-24 with combination skin: I think that the tool was effective; my face seemed brighter by the end of the testing period.

Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Small barrel and 260 ultra-fine 0.2mm microneedles

Derma rolling the contours of your face can come with a learning curve—especially the delicate areas around the eyes, nose, and mouth (which, annoyingly, also happen to be areas that are particularly susceptible to fine lines). This delicate-looking roller from Environ was carefully designed to target those specific areas using its smaller barrel and 260 ultra-fine 0.2mm microneedles, enabling you to get the benefits where you need them most. The shiny gold-plated tool also looks fancy, which is always a plus in our book.

Using this roller was not what we’d call a relaxing, self-care experience. But we persevered, using it twice a week until we saw some subtle improvements about one month in. The main benefit was that skincare products applied afterward absorbed much better—albeit with a little stinging—which made our complexion more glowy. We also noticed a slight improvement in the appearance of our “11 lines.” Unfortunately, the Environ cleaning solution came at an additional cost, and not a small one at that, so we used good old alcohol to get the job done.

Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: Double-ended: microneedles and Rose Quartz acupressure bulb

Pricking your skin with hundreds of little needles isn’t the most soothing experience, but this tool from Jenny Patinkin aspires to change that. It comes with a derma roller on one end and an acupressure bulb on the other. Made from rose quartz, the bulb is designed to massage pressure points, reducing tension and puffiness.

We really loved the design of this tool. The roller end didn’t cause any reaction on our sensitive skin, and the massage end was a relaxing way to complete our evening skincare routine. By the end of the testing period, our skin felt and looked even, soft, and bright. It also came with a replacement roller head to switch out once the first one started to dull.

Tester age 24-34 with sensitive skin: I think adding derma rolling to my routine has helped my skin for the better. My face feels slightly tighter as well.

Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: 540 0.25 mm microneedles, comes in a two-pack

This beginner-friendly roller from Sdara is covered in 540 0.35 mm microneedles designed to help renew and brighten the skin. It’s also adept at steadily reducing scars that might otherwise require an in-office laser treatment to fade.

We loved how gentle this tool was compared to some others we tested. Although our skin was slightly red right after use, the experience was pain-free. We started using the roller two or three times a week but dropped to once per week after a cold weather front made our skin drier and more sensitive than usual. Admittedly, we didn’t have many noticeable wrinkles before starting the treatment, but regardless, it left our skin looking smoother and more radiant.

Tester age 25-34 with combination skin: It’s a great tool for a beginner, as it is gentle yet effective. I felt like my face did look more glowy and healthier after using the tool.

Manual or Electric: Manual | Features: 3,000 hyaluronic acid-infused microneedles, three roller heads

As you already know if you’ve read this far, one welcome perk of using a derma roller is better product absorption. As your favorite skincare formulas are slathered over the little channels created by the microneedles, they penetrate the epidermis more deeply, amplifying benefits. This innovative roller from Skin Gym takes this premise one step further. Its disposable roller heads are covered in 3,000 dissolving microneedles that insert hyaluronic acid right into your skin, plumping and hydrating your complexion.

We used this roller once or twice a week and found we could get four to five uses out of each roller head before it dulled (there are three heads per pack). Our face was red and warm right using the tool, but the irritation subsided quickly. We used various anti-aging serums and night cream following the treatment and felt like our complexion was more radiant and bright than usual. However, the results were short-lived, and within a couple of days our skin returned to its prior condition.

FAQ

• How do you use a derma roller?

  When using a derma roller, first split your face into four quadrants, addressing one section at a time. “Using mild pressure, roll the device back and forth horizontally, vertically, and diagonally over the areas of the skin you’re treating,” says Dr. Skotnicki. “Usually, I suggest two to four passes in each direction.” In terms of adding products into the mix, she says you can apply a serum before or directly after using your derma roller. Always roll on a clean, dry face, and finish with ahydratingor nourishing skincare product.

• How do you clean a derma roller?

  Dr. Skotnicki recommends washing your roller with warm water and then spraying it with rubbing alcohol before its first use. She also suggests washing and disinfecting your roller after each treatment and again before you reuse it.

• How often should you use a derma roller?

  “Start by using it once a month, and then work your way up to weekly depending on your skin type or if you have an associated skin problem," Dr. Skotnicki says. Also important: "A derma roller shouldn’t be used on active rosacea, acne, eczema, cold sores, or sunburned or infected skin.”

• Do derma rollers stimulate beard growth?

  Some derma roller brands say that their tools can help stimulate beard growth—a claim that is based on evidence suggesting that microneedling can promote hair growth on the scalp. There is some anecdotal evidence that supports this claim, but Byrdie's experts agree that the science supporting beard rollers as a means of generating facial hair growth, specifically, is still evolving.

• Is at-home derma rolling safe?

  It is safe, as long as you do it properly. First and foremost, you should always disinfect the roller with 70% isopropyl alcohol before and after use (soaking it for 10 minutes). Next, never roll close to your eyes (aka around your orbital sockets), and always lift the roller after you make a pass to avoid scarring. When you're done, thoroughly wash the roller with soap and water (this helps break down the proteins that alcohol doesn't remove), before soaking in alcohol.