I never had serious issues with retin-a but it didn't control my acne, so I use Epiduo instead.

I think differin .1 is OTC now. I've worked up to .3 and get it free through insurance/couponand love it.

@keving100Thats great, see its just HA serum. IF you don't like the texture, you can try another after you use it up.

I agree retin a / retinol / Epiduo / differin / isotrex whatever uses vitamin a and works for you.

@beautifulambition@keving100@QuanHenry

Thank you all, I really appreciate all the help and advice.

@beautifulambition

Last night I did my first session of dermintor. I only needled cheeks and temples at the max needle length of 2.25 mm at medium speed. Unfortunately, I didnt get any pin point bleeding except for a couple points around the cheekbone area and temples. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong?

Hi. I am pretty new to this. I did my 3rd treatment on Wednesday and it looked like I had little pimples all over my face and it felt rough and dry. The little pimples went away but it made me really nervous. I have one of those electronic jewelry cleaners and would like to use it to clean my cartridge. What would I use to disinfect it? I cannot afford to only use the needle a couple of times so I need to get it really clean. I can't afford to get treatments at a doctor. Do you think I am wasting my time just doing this? My scars are from severe acne I got after I had my son 26 years ago. I had scars left all over my cheeks. I did 1.5 on my cheeks Wednesday but I didn't bleed. Is it not effective if you don't bleed? I am afraid that would cause an infection having open skin like that. What are TCA peels? I bought Glycolic Peels before this. Are they the same thing? I do hope I will get responses to this because I feel like I am doing everything wrong. I used the Copper Peptides serum I bought with the machine but it didn't help it glide very much. My face was so red and blotchy yesterday my coworkers asked if I had a reaction to something. If someone could post a video of themselves doing a treatment that would be amazing!! Thanks in advance for your help!!

@keving100You do not need to bleed for microneedling to work fyi. Even microscopicskin and blood particles can carry prp. Some people do not bleed, not a problem, it still works. Press harder on a lower setting if this is happening on the cheeks. But again some people do not bleed and it still works.

@CHEZ9092In your ultrasonic sonicator you only use water. This loosens the debris, then you would use rubbing alcohol. I responded to your other posting but I will put it here. The pimples are most likely from unclean skin. Please use rubbing alcohol 91% and Hibiclens before you needle, some people use iodine. Triple antibiotic cream can also help kill bacteria. You should change the needles every couple times as you will scar your skin worse, do you know needles dull every time they are used on the skin, this is why they change needles when injections are given. No TCA is not glycolic, please read my faq in my below signature, goto the bottom all things acid peels link, If you have severe scars then yes you need to be doing TCA peels as well or needling will not fix the issue. alone. No one is going to post a video of them doing the treatment, goto youtube. You need HA serum to glide, Amazon, ebay. Then do it on the weekends if your coworkers are freaking out 🙂

Sorry, I have never been in a forum before. I don't see your signature so I am not sure where to check. Are these peels something that have to be done by a doctor? Also, the way I posted my previous 2 posts can everyone see them or could just you? I thought my skin was clean. I washed it and used the Copper Peptides. I will buy what you said. What does it mean to do passes over the skin? Someone suggested not moving get the machine so the needles will focus on one spot at a time. Is this recommended? Sorry for all the questions but I don't want to do this wrong.

Thanks again!

So, I found the information about the TCA peels. I ordered one plus a Jesse (I think that is the spelling). At what intervals should I do these? Also, what is meant by a 'pass'? Thanks again!

@CHEZ9092 

You asked what is my signature, ... you must be on a cell phone? It is after each and every post I make there is a link and the top of the acne scar sub.

http://www.acne.org/messageboard/topic/361029-acne-scar-qa-faq-library-of-popular-threads/

No you do not have to have peels by a doctor, all of your questions and really, I stress really important saftey information is located in that faq at the bottom the tca and acid peels section and a link all things peels. I want you to read the whole posting about all things acid peels. It describes all of this. Passes means how many times you put it on the skin, ... you will not be doing this as a beginner. I never suggest this. It's for advanced users of peels. Your goal is to slowly through several peels build up to the max your skin can handle at 35%, some people never go past 15%. Again read the link please 😉

I see no pic in your previous post.

Washing ones skin is not "clean," they do not wash your skin before surgery alone. You need rubbing alcohol 91%, hibiclens from a pharmacy / first aid, or iodine, these ll kill bacteria before you start. I do two of them just to make sure. 

Passes for microneedle means how many times you go over that area. You concentrate on the scars, and are more light elsewhere. In fact you don't need to treat, ok spots. No you must move the derminator head at all times, you only do more work on the scar areas than around them. 

This is why we don't resuse needles to too many times and often people only do 3 times

Hi. Can you tell me how to alternate TCA peels and the Derminator?
Thanks,
Cheryl

@CHEZ9092Alternate means you do one treatment a month alternating them. Every other, month.

@beautifulambitionIs it a good idea to first start with a shallow setting, let's say 0.25-05mm, do that a few times before gradually increasing the depth? Or is it ok to start deep right away?

What is the maximum depth you guys use on temples, forehead and nose? I know that people go deeper on their cheeks, some use the maximum setting of 2.25mm.

@RedCarpetThe thing about skin and fat is were all so different. I cannot give you one setting for all. Yes the cheeks many do max setting. I read that to be most effective 1.5mm is the best spot of more. .5mm does nothing for scars, it's for product penetration. I would just start at 1.5mm and build from there. If your hitting bone you will know it and adjust accordingly. Nose I would do maybe 1mm, it's not like other skin, .... Depends on the temples 1mm, maybe more.

Thank you @beautifulambition

@RedCarpetBotox was made for Crows Feet try that.

I am about to use my derminator for the first time this week, what do you all use to disinfect the face before needling?

Also, what are some thoughts on the 9 needle vs single?

I have been told to use Hibiclens and alcohol. I have only used the 9 needles because I use it on both of my cheeks so a single wouldn't be useful for me. I hope this helps! Good luck!

Hi guys,

I'm STRONGLY thinking of buying the derminator and suction device. I've priced it up and it will set me back 180 here in the UK.

My question - what length setting should I use for atrophic scars on my cheeks?

I've read that going deeper than 2mm can damage the skin, is this true?

I just got mine today in the mail, already needled a section on my left cheek. I used 1.5 on fast, didn't bleed much at all. I may go up to 2.0 next time, I have scarred pores and some mild scarring. Years ago I had 1 full face and 3 spot fraxel repair treatments with good results.

On 5/9/2016 at 4:30 PM, d00little said:

I adjust the length while the device is in air, then place it onto my skin, then adjust the speed. There are only 2 buttons on the device and only 3 speeds I believe, so it is not very difficult to adjust while needling. The speed is easily determined by the sound, so there is no need to look back down at the device.

I should have added that I started at 0.5mm all around before increasing the length. At my current length I am waiting about 4 weeks between sessions.

I clean my cartridge before and after every use. First with warm soap and water, then hydrogen peroxide, then isopropyl. I am currently on my second cartridge.

I clean mine in the disinfectant after one use, especially after using the 2.0 needle depth.

What is infandolan? Will it improve my derminator results?

@acne_scars_acne_scarit's a eclusive like vaseline. You can get a & d cream at the store or zinc diaper rash cream. I don't even use it. Just actives.

Just to double check I got this right.

1. Numbing cream (optional) - wipe off completely
2. Rubbing alcohol - is isopropyl 70% good enough or is 91% needed?
3. Hibiclens
4. HA serum to glide

I thought it was generally accepted that high strength ethyl alcohol was ideal for this purpose?

Hello everyone,

I purchased a derminator after doing some research including reading through this thread. I did have a couple of questions though. I was wondering if it was ok and safe to do your entire face? What happens if you use the derminator on skin that is not scarred or blemished? I am also concerned about any potential side-effects like hyperpigmentation. If anyone has any advice about this, please let me know.

Thank You!