Medical needling with the dermapen is a classic collagen induction therapy that stimulates the body’s own collagen production. This delays the formation of wrinkles and gradually and continuously plumps up existing wrinkles from within, reduces pores, improves the complexion, and firms the skin. In contrast, Botox paralyzes facial muscles, and because of the lack of muscle contraction, wrinkles cannot form, or existing wrinkles become smoother over time.
About the Dermapen (Neopen)
The Dermapen is a motorized device equipped with very fine, sterile needles. These needles create thousands of tiny channels on the skin’s surface in a matter of seconds. This process, known as microneedling, triggers the body’s natural wound-healing process. These controlled micro-injuries stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, two essential proteins responsible for skin firmness and elasticity. The depth of the channels is adjustable, and the device’s speed makes this method virtually painless.
The Dermapen is also available for purchase online for home use. The difference between home and medical microneedling lies in the needle length. In medical settings, needles up to 1.5 mm are used, and under anesthesia for deep scars, such as those resulting from burns, needles up to 3 mm are used. For home use, the needles are significantly shorter, typically around 0.2 mm. After some searching, longer needles are also available for purchase, but these should only be used by professionals – also to avoid the risk of infection. Longer needles allow access to deeper layers of the skin, thus better stimulating collagen production and regeneration. Deeper needles are particularly necessary in the forehead and cheek areas. Shorter needles, or special nano-needles, are used in the sensitive eye area. These are especially thin and short, delivering the therapeutic agent to the correct layer of skin to achieve maximum therapeutic effect.
Areas of Application
Microneedling with the Dermapen is versatile and has proven effective for a range of dermatological and aesthetic concerns:
- Skin rejuvenation and wrinkle reduction: By stimulating collagen and elastin production, fine lines and wrinkles are reduced, and the skin appears firmer and more youthful.
- Improved skin texture: Enlarged pores are refined, and the overall skin texture is smoothed.
- Scar treatment: Microneedling can lead to significant improvement, particularly in acne scars, but also in other atrophic scars and stretch marks (PubMed, 2018).
- Pigmentation disorders: It can be used for hyperpigmentation such as melasma and sunspots.
- Hair loss: In combination with other therapies, such as topical minoxidil or platelet-rich plasma (PRP), microneedling has proven promising in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (hereditary hair loss) by stimulating hair growth (PubMed, 2021a, PubMed, 2021b).
One particularly effective application is the so-called “Vampire Facial” (PRP treatment), which combines medical microneedling with autologous blood therapy. In this procedure, platelet-rich plasma is introduced into the channels created by the Dermapen, further promoting skin regeneration and rejuvenation.
The Effects of the Dermapen
The “Vampire Facelift” is particularly well-known and popularized through American social media. It combines microneedling with PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy. It’s understandable that this treatment has generated a lot of hype among celebrities. The treatment is effective, with minimal downtime – some redness may occur afterward, but this usually disappears the next day. It uses the body’s own substance, resulting in a natural appearance. The entire face is treated, allowing for an even, natural look, and the areas of application are diverse.
The speed of the Dermapen makes the treatment less painful due to the rapid creation of microchannels. Furthermore, the skin perforation allows for improved absorption of topical substances such as serums, vitamins, or growth factors, significantly enhancing their effectiveness (PubMed, 2024).
This therapy can be used preventively at a young age to slow down the skin’s aging process. If you start the therapy in your mid-to-late twenties, you’ll need a session every 6-12 months. If you’re older, it’s recommended to repeat the therapy at least three times initially, four weeks apart, to stimulate the skin more. If you start later in life, it makes sense to plan for two sets of three sessions.
The Vampire Facial is used to prevent wrinkles, treat existing wrinkles, refine skin texture and minimize pores, address age spots, dark circles under the eyes, scars, acne scars, sun damage, hair loss, and after hair transplants.
