Dermastamp is the next generation of the Dermaroller microneedling device, taking the procedure to the next level.
The launch of the Dermaroller in 2000 revolutionised the concept of skin needling and Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT), transforming it into an accessible, restorative and rejuvenating treatment. In part inspired by a Canadian doctor who was treating the appearance of scars with a tattoo gun – minus the ink – to break up the fibrous tissue, German engineer and medical device inventor Dr Horst Liebl, PhD, improved upon the single needle, tattoo-gun approach by developing a device with multiple microneedles positioned on a drum-like, rotating head. The device was christened the Dermaroller.
There are numerous studies advocating the efficacy of microneedling in cosmetic procedures. Skin needling has been shown to promote neocollagenesis by activating the body’s wound healing cascade (haemostatis-inflammation-proliferation-tissue remodelling). The advantages include preservation of the epidermis, a short and scarless healing phase, and the deposition of normal woven collagen rather than scar collagen.
A study into skin needling found one Dermaroller treatment induced, on average, a 206 percent increase in new collagen and elastin fibres in the skin. This was determined using biopsy, where a control biopsy was taken adjacent to the site of skin needling and a second biopsy was taken six to eight weeks later at the skin-needling site. The greatest improvement recorded in this study was a 1,000 per cent increase in new fibres.
Skin needling and CIT: the beginning
German engineered and designed, the Dermaroller was launched in Europe more than 10 years ago. A market leader in skin needling, the Dermaroller has helped thousands of men and women see a clear improvement in conditions such as wrinkles and scarring. It is clinically proven to induce collagen production and reduce scarring.
Listed by the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) as a collagen induction device that can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and scars, the Dermaroller can also be used to treat stretch marks and pigmentation.
The concept is relatively simple: when rolled on the surface of the skin, the needles on the medical grade Dermaroller create microchannels, which not only aid in the absorption of topical active ingredients, but also cause mild trauma to the dermis. This stimulates the body’s natural healing response to promote the production of collagen, enhance skin cell renewal and attract blood, oxygen and hydration to the site. As new skin cells are generated, and blood flow enhanced, patients can look forward to an enhanced appearance within six weeks.
In treating scars, the same rejuvenating effect is achieved, though the microneedles also work to pierce and release the fibrous scar tissue, softening the appearance of scars and making way for improved cell renewal and increased vascularisation.
It is a constructive treatment – not an ablative procedure – so it builds the skin from within, without causing trauma to the surface.
It stimulates type three collagen, which matures into type one collagen. This maturation process can take anywhere from six weeks to six months, and patients will see gradual improvement throughout this maturation.
Dermastamp: The next evolution in skin needling
Technology doesn’t stay static for long, and skin needling has recently taken another step forward with the introduction of Dermastamp. Moving away from the traditional design of the Dermaroller, the Dermastamp comprises a vibrating stamp of microneedles, affording greater control in a clinical setting.
Unlike the Dermaroller, the Dermastamp is completely automated, which means practitioners can select how many channels are made in the skin per second and the degree of penetration for each facial site, according to the condition being treated. Fifty to 150 micro channels per second can be selected and, with six needles on the tip, this can result in 900 perforations per second. This differs to the Dermaroller, where the number of channels is dependant on manual application and a different roller is used for different areas of the face.
The depth of the Dermastamp needles can also be adjusted, meaning practitioners can vary the depth according to the area being treated, customising the procedure for each patient.
The Dermastamp needles are supported on a ball and socket joint, meaning their positioning is continuously attuned to match the contours of the face.
Although the Dermastamp treatment is more thorough than the traditional Dermaroller treatment, the fact it vibrates means the Dermastamp is more comfortable than its predecessor. Company research has shown that the vibration distracts the nervous system and is approximately 70 percent better tolerated than the Dermaroller.
Before the procedure, topical anaesthetic should be applied. The procedure will usually result in some blood spotting during treatment and most patients will leave the clinic with mild erythema which generally subsides 12 to 24 hours later.
Three treatments, spaced four to six weeks apart, are recommended for those wanting to see an overall improvement in the appearance of their skin. For those with scarring, the number of treatments will vary.
Suitable for most skin types including fine and sensitive skins, the Dermastamp is a cost- effective, safe and effective procedure, and is an ideal treatment to bridge the gap between non- surgical and more aggressive treatments.
Dermastamp and Dermaroller are distributed in Australia by Clinic Care. Visit www.cliniccare.com.au or call 1300 799 709 for more information.
