Dermapen is an elective dermatology procedure that improves the appearance of the skin by enhancing the body?s natural ability to reproduce and repair the skin through elastin and collagen stimulation. Dermapen is approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
What Dermapen Treats
This treatment works to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, surgical and injury scars and stretch marks. Tattoo removal is another treatment application of Dermapen. Dermapen can stimulate wound healing because it tightens and rejuvenates skin as part of the treatment process.
- Wrinkles and Fine lines -- Dermapen can stimulate the rejuvenation of wrinkled skin, which is generally the result of the epidermal layer of the skin thinning out and retaining less moisture.
- Scars, including surgical and acne scarring -- Dermapen treatment breaks up fibrous scar tissue and stimulates new tissue growth, improving the appearance of scars.
- Burns and wound healing -- Dermapen is used to treat injuries to flesh caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, light, radiation or friction, and improves the appearance of scars
- Stretch marks -- These are scars resulting in an off-color hue to the skin. Dermapen reduces and fades stretch marks. Five to six sessions are needed for improvement.
- Tattoo removal -- Dermapen used in conjunction with laser tattoo removal can result in a 60 percent improvement over tattoo removal performed by laser alone. The Dermapen creates tiny holes in the epidermis, allowing for better laser absorption.
Who is a Good Candidate?
The effectiveness of Dermapen is fairly equal across skin tones or skin types.
There have been no reports of post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation (PIH) or increased skin tone at the treatment site after Dermapen procedures. It is safe for use on darker skin, including Asian, Mediterranean and African American skin tones.
The Dermapen Procedure
Dermapen is designed to trigger the healing process in the skin. The body senses the Dermapen micro damage to the epidermis and dermis as an injury, and in response triggers natural healing through the production of collagen and elastin.
The Dermapen procedure is performed as an outpatient in a qualified dermatologist?s office. There are two types of Dermapen, one which is "shallow" and another which allows for deeper penetration of the eleven surgical micro-needles. The more shallow type does not require the skin to be numbed before the procedure. The deeper type requires the application of a pre-treatment topical anesthetic cream.
The Dermapen hand-held device is the size of a large felt tip marker. It is a reusable device with a sterile, disposable tip for individual patient use. The tip has eleven surgical steel micro-needles, which are moved over the surface of the skin to create micro-injuries to the skin. A vertical stamping technique causes pore-sized holes to be created in the skin. They are a consistent size and, depending upon the skin condition being treated, they can vary in depth up to 2.5 mm.
Dermapen is most effective when completed as a series of treatments over time, with four weeks between each session in order to allow the body to complete a natural skin healing cycle.
How Long Do Dermapen Benefits Last?
The Dermapen treatment plan is a process; there are no instant results. Minor skin improvement can be seen 6 to 8 days after having a treatment. Patients do see a more significant difference in their skin condition after 2 to 3 sessions. The full course of treatment is usually 5 to 6 sessions, which is optimal for a substantial change in the skin's appearance.
Skin naturally heals itself in a 45-day cycle. Post-needling skin improvement continues for several months after the Dermapen treatment is completed.
In order to maintain continued collagen stimulation, most physicians recommend maintenance Dermapen treatments to the area every 12 to 24 weeks.
Are There Any Dangers?
Since an injection of foreign material or medication is not part of Dermapen treatment, allergic reactions and side effects to the procedure are highly unlikely.
The risk of infection does exist because the skin surface integrity is compromised. This danger is low because the procedure is done using sterile needle tips on the hand-held device, which are disposable and indicated for single-use only. This helps prevent cross-contamination and infection.
Dermapen Side Effects
The side effects to Dermapen treatments are usually mild and not serious. They include:
- Redness (Erythema) for about 24 hours
- Stinging
- Itching
- Skin tightness
All side effects usually resolve within 48 hours after a Dermapen session.
Recovery Time Explained
Dermapen procedures are minimally invasive. There is basically no downtime. The healing process is fast.
Patients can return to their normal daily activities immediately after each session. Regular skin care products can be used after two to three days or as soon as it is comfortable to do so.
Dermapen Cost & Medical Insurance Coverage
Dermapen treatments cost $200 to $700 per session, depending upon the area being treated and a patient?s specific skin condition and medical needs. The treatment process entails five to six sessions for the most effective outcome, in most cases.
This treatment regime is not covered by medical insurance because it is considered to be exclusively cosmetic in nature.
It is most important to have a professional skin evaluation and treatment by a qualified and experienced healthcare provider.
