Guest Review: Dermapen Face Needling

Dermapen skin resurfacing

Last week my friend Justine sent me this message: “One word my friend: Dermapen”. I hadn’t the faintest idea what Dermapen was or how it worked, so I sent her a barrage of messages filled with questions. After getting the scoop on the miracle worker that is Dermapen, I asked Justine if she would be willing to write a guest post and she gladly obliged. She was even happy to send us some before and after pictures – what a champ! Take it away, Justine…

In my search to find non-invasive procedures to slow down the signs of aging, I stumbled upon this little gem, commonly known as Dermapen. It is the most advanced skin micro-needling device and uses collagen induction therapy (CIT) to promote new skin growth by superficially damaging the skin. Dermapen differs from other needling systems in that it uses a stamping action as opposed to a rolling action. There is minimal epidermal damage, meaning less pain, and because of the vertical delivery of the needle, it is easy to penetrate scar tissue.  The mere thought of having needles stamped into my face sent me into a mild panic, but I decided to man up and take one for the team (you can all thank me later).

Justine before her treatment
Justine before her treatment

I’ll be the first to admit that my pain threshold is embarrassingly low, but trust me when I tell you that this procedure is painless. I have always wanted to try needling (after all, it is the next best thing to fraxel laser treatment, which is unfortunately somewhat beyond the budget at this particular juncture) but my chronic fear of needles has prohbited me from ever trying it . That was, of course, until I found out that the Dermapen process uses a turbo strong topical anaesthetic – amen for modern medicine!  Needling, you are back in business!

So ladies, this is the drill: a brief consultation with a Dermapen professional will determine whether or not you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. The consultation fee is approximately R400 (which is waived should you go ahead with procedure). Once you get the go-ahead, a therapist will apply the topical anaesethic cream to your face.  They leave it on for about an hour and you are left to read a magazine whilst they wait for it to kick in (you will feel a slight warm, tingling feeling – nothing you can’t handle though). A medical doctor will then perform the needling, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes. I guarantee that you will not feel any discomfort or pain – it feels like your face is being massaged.

Justine After
Justine immediately after her treatment

Approximately 6 hours after your treatment you apply a Dermapen Phyto-Boost botanical moisturiser to help soothe, calm and protect your skin – this is provided by the doctor and is included in the cost of the treatment. I hate to tell you, but this is when the discomfort is going to kick in – I advise you to ensure that your bathroom door is closed before applying it because I can guarantee that you will make use of profanities you didn’t know existed! However the discomfort only lasts for a few minutes, and then it cools down and soothes – similar to applying aftersun onto a sunburn. Just think: only a few minutes of hell in exchange for a fresh, glowing, wrinkle-free complexion…suck it up, cupcake.

After the procedure you should expect to look sunburnt, and I would advise you  to stay at home for the next day or so (this won’t be the case for everyone, as some people are back to normal the next day). Avoid sun at all costs (for the rest of your life…newsflash: the sun is not assisting you in your battle against aging) and try avoid makeup for two days after the treatment. Only use the post-treatment cream provided, and avoid any active skin care products for three days post treatment. I layered hyaluronic acid over the post-treatment cream during the three days after the procedure, and I used Eucerin Hyaluron Filler night cream. They say it takes up to three months to see the full effects of the treatment, but I could see a result within the first week.

Justine A Week Later
Justine a week after her treatment.

Two/three Dermapen treatments will provide a noticeable difference, but five/six Dermapen treatments will show the most dramatic results.The cost of the procedure is approximately R2,000 for the face, R1,000 for the neck and R500 for the décolletage, and it can be performed every 3-6 months.

Justine saw Dr Marc de Villiers at Skin Renewal in Constantia.

So tell us, have any of you tried Dermapen? Are you likely to?