How to Clean & Sanitize Your Derma Roller

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Learn the do’s and don’ts of disinfecting a derma roller at home
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A derma roller is a small microneedle roller used to stimulate collagen production, treat acne and scarring, and promote hair growth. To avoid contaminating your skin with nasty bacteria and buildup, clean your derma roller before and after you use it with an alcohol-based cleaner and warm water. We spoke with FAAD board-certified dermatologist Mohiba Tareen, MD, to learn the best practices for sterilizing your derma roller at home.

How to Sanitize a Derma Roller: Quick Steps

Rinse the derma roller under warm water, then fill a glass with 70% isopropyl alcohol, says FAAD board-certified dermatologist Mohiba Tareen, MD. Soak your derma roller for 10-15 minutes to kill bacteria. Rinse it off, then let it air-dry on a paper towel.

Section 1 of 4:

Sterilizing Your Derma Roller

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  1. Turn on your faucet and hold your derma roller under the water for a few seconds to get rid of any superficial debris, like dead skin or blood. Note that this does not sterilize the derma roller, but simply gets rid of surface-level residue.
    • “Clean your derma roller before and after each use to minimize any buildup of dead skin cells and bacteria,” says Dr. Tareen.
  2. Fill up a clean bowl or cup with 70% isopropyl alcohol (or a higher concentration) so the roller can be completely submerged in the solution. If you use less than 70% isopropyl alcohol, it will not sanitize your derma roller. [1]
    • Unfortunately, you can’t disinfect a derma roller without alcohol.
    • Rubbing alcohol is isopropyl alcohol and water. You can use 70% rubbing alcohol.
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  3. Place your derma roller tool upside down in your container. Dr. Tareen advises letting it soak in the isopropyl alcohol for at least 4 to 5 minutes, but aim for 10 to 15 minutes to ensure your roller is completely disinfected.
    • Set a timer on your phone or kitchen clock so you can keep track of how long the roller soaks.
  4. After your derma roller has soaked for 10-15 minutes, remove it from the dish or cup. Rinse it again under warm running water to get rid of any remaining skin particles and alcohol. [2]
  5. Air-drying is the best method to dry your derma roller. Towel fibers can get caught in and damage the tool’s microneedles. Flip your roller’s handle so the roller is upside down, and put it on a clean paper towel. Dr. Tareen suggests letting the roller air-dry for 10 minutes.
  6. After your roller is finished air-drying, place it inside its original container and fasten the lid. This way, your derma roller stays mostly clean and disinfected. You’ll still have to disinfect it again before your next use, but proper storage prevents the tool from collecting excess bacteria, dust, and other debris. [3]
    • Store your derma roller in a moisture-free environment to prevent mold. Keep it away from the room where you shower so moisture doesn’t work its way into the container.
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Section 2 of 4:

Can you clean your derma roller without alcohol?

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  1. No, you cannot clean a derma roller without alcohol. Alcohol is necessary to thoroughly sanitize your derma roller since alcohol has antimicrobial properties, meaning it kills bacteria. [4] Alternative cleaning methods like dish soap, dental tablets, dettol, hand sanitizer, or hot water are insufficient to disinfect a derma roller, either because they aren’t antibacterial or because they’re harmful for your skin. [5]
Section 3 of 4:

How often should you use a derma roller?

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  1. Use your derma roller once a week. The only exception is if you’re using a derma roller with very small needles, such as 0.50 mm or 0.25mm size, in which case you can do it twice or three times per week. If you’re using larger needles, such as 0.75mm, only apply your derma roller to your face once a week. When applying, only use your derma roller for 2 minutes per session. Any more could irritate your skin. [6]
    • If you’re using your derma roller on your scalp or face to stimulate hair or beard growth, the same applies. You can use smaller needles twice or three times a week, and larger needles (over 0.50mm) once a week. [7]
    • Very small home skin needling tools, such as those with 0.2 mm depth needles, can be used twice or three times a week. [8]
    • Remember to clean your derma roller before and after each use, and replace the derma roller head monthly. [9]
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Section 4 of 4:

Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. 1
    What size derma roller is best? Longer derma roller needles (0.50mm to 1.0mm) provide deeper skin penetration, which can yield more benefits but also might feel more painful. Needles 0.50mm and shorter can be used more frequently because they’re less invasive. Needles 0.50mm to 1.0mm in length treat deeper skin issues like acne scarring. [10]
    • The most common home derma roller needle sizes are 0.25mm, .50mm, and .75mm.
    • 1.0mm derma roller tools are used on the scalp to stimulate hair growth. Anything with a needle longer than 1.0mm is reserved for professional use.
  2. 2
    What’s the difference between using a derma roller and microneedling? Derma rollers are at-home tools that use shorter needles than a professional microneedling treatment. Microneedling treatments, which are performed by a licensed dermatologist, use longer needles that penetrate deeper into the skin. [11] These longer needles are more effective than derma rollers for rejuvenating skin and stimulating hair growth. [12]
    • You can’t use medical-grade derma rollers at home. Without professional training and equipment, you may damage your skin and cause injuries. [13]
  3. 3
    How do you care for your skin after derma rolling? Protect your skin by applying sunscreen and avoiding the sun when you can in the 24 hours following treatment. Your skin may be more sensitive to sun damage as the wounds created by the microneedles take 24 hours or longer to heal. [14] Additionally, hydrate your skin immediately after treatment with a serum or moisturizer .
    • Avoid harsh skincare products like glycolic acid or tretinoin for 24-48 hours after derma rolling so your skin has time to heal. [15]
  4. 4
    Can you use a derma roller for hair regrowth? Yes, derma rolling is used to treat hair loss as well as for facial rejuvenation. Studies have found that microneedling therapy combined with topical hair growth treatments like minoxidil works better than either treatment alone. [16] However, most studies involve professional dermarolling treatments, which use longer needles than at-home derma rollers.
    • Microneedling can help minoxidil and similar medications work better because the small holes the derma roller makes in your scalp allow the medication to better penetrate the skin. [17]
  5. 5
    What are the potential side effects of derma rolling? Potential side effects of using a derma roller include mild skin irritation, bleeding, redness, itching, and bruising. [18] These side effects typically fade away a few days or weeks after treatment. It’s best to consult with a dermatologist before you start using a derma roller to see if it’s an advisable treatment for you.
    • If you’re worried about potential side effects or have a history of sensitive skin, start by using the smallest needle size for derma rollers available (0.20 or 0.25mm) to see how your skin reacts.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can the rubbing alcohol be reused? Or just used once and discard?
    Community Answer
    To clean your derma roller, use rubbing alcohol that contains approximately 90 percent of pure, concentrated ethanol or isopropyl alcohol.
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  • Question
    Can I use Dettol liquid to clean my derma roller?
    Community Answer
    Do not use Dettol liquid to clean your derma roller because it won't kill all microorganisms and it can also cause burning to your skin.
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  • Question
    Can I use someone else's derma roller after sterilizing it ?
    Community Answer
    Don't use someone else's derma roller, it is only meant to be used by one person. Replace it every 3 months to prevent irritation from dull needles.
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      • Depending on how often you use it, consider replacing your derma roller every 3-6 months to ensure the needles are sharp and effective.
      • Be careful not to dull the needles by dropping the roller or tapping it against a hard surface.
      • For hygiene reasons, it's important never to share your derma roller with anyone else.
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      Warnings

      • Avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach on your derma roller. These chemicals can damage your skin when you use the roller.
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      • If you don’t clean the derma roller, it can grow bacteria, which can transfer to your skin the next time you use it and cause acne breakouts or infections.
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      • Do not use boiling water when cleaning your derma roller. This can damage the needles and melt the handle, which is usually plastic.
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      • Don’t share your derma roller tool with others, even if it’s been sterilized. There’s a risk that bloodborne infections spread through the needles. [19]
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about cleaning, check out our in-depth interview with Mohiba Tareen, MD .

      References

      1. ↑ https://miiskin.com/anti-aging-beauty/derma-roller/#how-to-clean
      2. ↑ https://miiskin.com/anti-aging-beauty/derma-roller/
      3. ↑ https://miiskin.com/anti-aging-beauty/derma-roller/
      4. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/disinfection-sterilization/chemical-disinfectants.html
      5. ↑ https://www.glam.com/1423123/how-to-properly-clean-derma-roller-between-uses/
      6. ↑ https://miiskin.com/anti-aging-beauty/derma-roller/
      7. ↑ https://miiskin.com/hair-loss/derma-roller-for-hair/
      8. ↑ https://dermnetnz.org/topics/skin-needling
      9. ↑ https://miiskin.com/hair-loss/derma-roller-for-beard/
      1. ↑ https://miiskin.com/anti-aging-beauty/derma-roller/
      2. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/microneedling-for-hair-loss
      3. ↑ https://dermnetnz.org/topics/skin-needling
      4. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/microneedling-for-hair-loss
      5. ↑ https://www.simplyderm.com/how-to-microneedle-at-home-which-derma-roller-to-get-2/
      6. ↑ https://miiskin.com/anti-aging-beauty/derma-roller/#how-often
      7. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4976400/
      8. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/microneedling-for-hair-loss
      9. ↑ https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/microneedling-devices-getting-point-benefits-risks-and-safety
      10. ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169409X12001251

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clean a derma roller, rinse it under warm water for 2-3 seconds to remove anything that might be on the surface of the tool. After you rinse it, place the roller in a small dish with the needles facing upward. Cover the roller completely with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for about an hour. Afterward, rinse the derma roller under warm water again, then lay it upside-down on a paper towel and let it air dry for 10-20 minutes. To learn how to sanitize the roller with purification tablets, read on!

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