Is anyone using the Dermapen?How effective is it? Is it covered by ASCPA?

I've been looking into it a lot and the claims that it's "more effective than fractional laser procedures" for acne scarring is interesting. What are your experiences?

Be very careful. I really think this should be done in as sterile an environment as possible, like a medical setting. You are opening the surface of the skin to bacterial invasion.

Dermapen is fantastic. Better than the rollers, each treatment is done with a new needle so you don't need to worry about contamination. I noticed that there is less blood during treatment. The skin heals faster as well. Easy to adjust needle size. Cheaper than rollers too.

Recently, Dermapen just had a demo in our clinic. It seems like a good treatment that we can offer to our clients. I'd love to hear your treatment protocols to attain the best results!

Yes, I've been using the Dermapen. I've seen amazing results for deep lines, stretchmarks, even pitted fibrous scarring, to really amp it up we also add PRP

We are using it and love the results. The down time is minimal and our results are impressive.

Has anyone had personal experience using Dermapen for tattoo removal?

felicia, It's great at breaking up the pigment but again, takes several treatments. The q switch is def the way to go for tattoo removal.

I've used the Dermapen for just over a year. Advantage: no downtime. Disadvantage: I don't feel like it does a lot unless clients haven't done any other therapies such as peels or micro to prep skin. Newbies usually have a good initial reaction. However, those who have had many therapies have to complete several treatments- it's better if they don't go more than a week apart. The best thing I have found is the C02. Loved it! It makes it tough to compare to Dermapen. I recommend doing a good light peel immediately prior to treatment if appropriate for the client :)

I have a Dermapen and it is great for getting close to the eye. I was using the Genuine Dermaroller before and I much prefer the Dermapen for its versatility. Also, you can change the depth of the needle partway through treatment which obviously you cant do with a roller. I always ensure to prep the skin with a vitamin a and c for 2 weeks beforehand. Also patients have reported to me that the Dermapen is much less painful that the roller, I assume because it vibrates.

Do you think derma pen or the derma stamp is better around the eye than using fillers? I wasn't aware of pre treatment skin regimens with Vit A+C, does this make a big difference? I do derma roller, but I am interested in other types of needling and yes as a Nurse Practitioner, I am always aware of clinical standards + appropriate sterility.

I love it! It helps with large pores, fine lines, scars, stretch marks and loose skin.

@gill n., based on personal experience as well as citing the scientific consensus, you get a bigger visual impact with fillers + Botox around the eyes than the roller/stamp/pen, main reason being that the creases are hyperkinetic (muscle-mediated). Another interesting question might be if there is any proof behind the 'biostimulation' fillers that purportedly promote collagen and elastin production as I know clients who would rather endure a single filler session than the multiple micropunctures of the pen. Pyschological reasons, mainly.

Dermaroller is fine for the finer lines and wrinkles. SR with IPL or laser would also work similarly. RF is a growing therapy with a better effect on elastin than the other therapies, if memory serves me right.

I think there is something much more professional about getting intimate with a patient's skin using the dermaroller or dermastamp, though. Because laser is such a quick process, i don't think that gives a clinician enough time to adequately all the contributing factors to a client's skin condition. Obviously biased, but most of our clinic's clients agree.

Hope that helps :)

I have been working with the Dermapen for almost a year now. I think it is good not great. It takes a long time before you see results, at least six treatments. We have also found that, in some cases, where patients are a Fitzpatrick 4, that there is some new freckling after a few treatments even after using the Phytodrops and other lightening agents.

I have some experience with needling and can tell you I consider it very worthwhile. Sadly, the State of California considers this a medical treatment so we solo estys cannot .use them "legally." I have a several associates who are both estys and permanent make up artists so they can use them. I find it amazing that the State has done little to regulate tattoo artists who clearly draw blood but considers a trained esthetician too stupid to follow appropriate disinfection procedures to use any type of needle but that's my personal opinion.

Yes it is very good but you have to inform the client that they may experience some peeling and irritation on the skin for a while .

Can anyone give me your opinion on how well it works on acne scars, large pores and melasma?

I love it! It helps with large pores, fine lines, scars, stretch marks and loose skin.

l. anderson, I have it and use it too. I am curious about your protocol and settings. I assume you progress to higher settings to get the desired results. I have been somewhat conservative with settings at the first treatment using the guidelines provided by Dermapen. I also dermaplane patients prior to microneedling. How many treatments on avg per patient do you perform to get the desired results of improved skin texture assuming you advance settings as you progress in treatments?

So I demoed the Derma Pen yesterday! I actually performed treatment on two and also had a treatment myself. I used two people with acne scars. Definitely must numb. We all did for a good 30 mn. I went up to a 2.5 ml on one of the girls with deeper scars. She actually tolerated very well. We all did, Im the most sensitive as at a 1 ml around my mouth I felt a little discomfort. We used a hyaluronic acid and TNS Recovery Growth factor to infuse during treatment. My doctor feels this would be a great treatment to add in to our practice! I'm anxious to see effects from one treatment. There are several models of this type of Pen/ Procedure so l'm going to do my homework.

Rejuvapen is amazing and I don't want to knock another company openly but I would strongly encourage you to look into it before you go with the other company. There are differences that make it worth taking a look at both before making a decision. Also Rejuvapen sells ONLY to medical facilities or estheticians working under a medical director. This says a lot ! The results are fantastic :)

I have had great success with Dermatude. Most of my microdermabrasion clients have switched because they are seeing better results with the Dermatude device. I offer a series of 4 treatments, one week apart with the 4th treatment free, and everyone has rebooked on a six week schedule for one treatment.

The DermaPen and other similar devices work on the principle of needling. This means that you are invading the bodies primary defense to infection, the skin. Anything being used that causes pain enough to require topical anesthetic is causing injury to living tissue and can be complicated by infection, scarring, hyper pigmentation, etc. You are creating a WOUND, and relying on the bodies wound healing capability to improve the skin.

Medical devices, such as the DermaPen, are regulated by the FDA and have very specific indications for what they are approved for.

To my knowledge, estheticians, by state law and licensing board regulations, are not allowed to independently use devices or chemicals that penetrate the living layers of the skin, or cause significant irritation (such as chemical peels with a pH lower than a certain number).

Medical Device manufacturers, and their distributors, are exposing themselves to significant liability if these products are used off label (in a manner inconsistent with their labeling) on their advice.

we are continually looking for cost effective ways to treat different skin problems. i am amazed with the impressive results the dermapen provides. it is an essential treatment for our clinic.

I have a Dermatude machine and my patients love their treatments and results. Dermatude full face treatments are painless and no downtime. I'm seeing great results after 3 treatments. Love it. Highly recommend Dermatude.

Dermapen works well on acne scars as long as the patient is willing to have a multitude of treatments. It also depends on the depth of the scar.

www.rejuvapen.com

Micro-needling is hot right now and there are more choices however each and every device has its draw backs. The type of device depends on what the goal is of the treatment, of course being able to provide a custom and yet predictable treatment is advantageous. The new DermaFrac device couples micro-needling with the delivery of high grade solutions to the upper dermis, all done without pain! The technology is unique and effective and gives you the ability to provide clinical results without downtime.

We are looking into adding the mentioned treatments and I can't wait to start these on our clinic. When comparing the two, the fact that the Dermatude is manufactured in Germany in the company's own plant, and not China, was a plus for the Dermatude, and that it has 18 needles with the flexible head. Also, I have heard complaints about Dermapen over heating and/or losing power during treatments. Has anyone experienced this with the Derma pen? I would appreciate any additional feedback since we are adding this in the very near future.

I, too, would like to have more info. It might be time to add a new treatment to my practice. Is ElaMax 4% enough to provide anesthetic? With regard to the possibility of causing PIH (post-inflammatory-hyperpigmentation or "freckling" as was referred to, would it be prudent to use a topical anti-inflammatory before and after treatment? We have been using an oxygenating serum in our practice for years before/after just about any treatment..a good dose of oxygen is healthy for the skin for a multitude of benefits, not the least of which is to prevent PIH.

I went for my first Dermapen treatment 4 weeks ago. I experienced bruising and swelling after the treatment. Four days after the treatment, the bruising was still visible and my skin formed what looked like scabs / peeling. It was also still very sensitive. Now 4 weeks later, I still have a little bruising under the right eye - it looks like a large freckle / discoloration. Under the other eye is what looks like a dark circle. Now, with this dark circle / discoloration under the eyes it looks like I am constantly tired!!! Is this normal? I am obviously now too afraid to have another treatment. I am not sure how to get rid of the bruising. Think IPL might be an option. I am very dissapointed with the dermapen treatment. There is no improvement with the wrinkles and now I also have the bruising and dark circle around the eye.

RSolomon, yes 4% ElaMax would work fine. I agree oxygen is a great addition to the Dermapen Treatment. The microchannels produced during the treatment remain open for approximately 15 minutes so infusing an oxygenated product can improve the wound healing response as well as provide an anti-bacterial defense.

The DermaPen and other similar devices work on the principle of needling. This means that you are invading the bodies primary defense to infection, the skin. Anything being used that causes pain enough to require topical anesthetic is causing injury to living tissue and can be complicated by infection, scarring, hyper pigmentation, etc. You are creating a WOUND, and relying on the bodies wound healing capability to improve the skin.

Medical devices, such as the DermaPen, are regulated by the FDA and have very specific indications for what they are approved for.

To my knowledge, estheticians, by state law and licensing board regulations, are not allowed to independently use devices or chemicals that penetrate the living layers of the skin, or cause significant irritation (such as chemical peels with a pH lower than a certain number).

Medical Device manufacturers, and their distributors, are exposing themselves to significant liability if these products are used off label (in a manner inconsistent with their labeling) on their advice.

I have been practicing skin care for several years. It is mine and my physicians understanding that these procedures can be done by a licensed Esthetician under the supervision and direction of a doctor and under his/her liability insurance. If an Esthetician is in a salon or on her own, then she is not able to purchase this devise, or chemicals.

I am huge believer in micro-channeling and have significant experience with both the pen, roller and Dermafrac.

Micro-needling is definitely on the rise. There are several different brands out there such as Dermapen, Dermatude, Rejuvapen, etc.. However, while they all perform the same treatment, they are very different in operational style, quality, and price.

There is only ONE micro needling pen available that outperforms the rest in all categories. It is the Mesopen®. I found it through my network on linked-in, and have purchased one myself. Having previously used the dermapen AND rejuvapen, I can tell you a couple important differences.

Mesopen is not a made out of cheap plastic. It is made of aluminum. It has 12 stainless needles inside a disposable cartridge just like the derma pen. It it so much easier to use than both of the others, because the speed is controlled digitally, and the depth is precisely adjustable. I can use the Mesopen all day without it overheating. My derma pen would overheat after two or three procedures!!!!

The best part is the cost, you can buy the Mesopen for $1995, and it comes with 25 cartridges. A refill box of 25 cartridges is only $350. I charge on average around $200/procedure. It is a great device, and comes with excellent profit, over $100k last year alone. Dermapen costs $3000 for the pen with 90 cartridges. After that, refilling the cartridges is $2700 for 90 more. It is OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive.

I am telling you all this because for all you estheticians out there, you know micro needling has so many excellent uses and benefits, and you do not want to waste your time or money on an overpriced device. Check it out for yourself, their website is www.meso-pen.com. Best value out there, hands down.

Mesopen® is also FDA registered and has a CE mark!

I can't tell from the website what the depth can be adjusted to, the Dermapen and Skinpen go from 0-2.5 mm.

The needle cartridges look just like the SkinPen needles! I think once you ignore all the crummy knockoff units, the professional/medical CIT are all pretty much the same.

The inventor of Dermaroller CIT (the original device) has recently said there is little benefit of using needles longer than 1 mm as you get deep enough with that for most probems. So 2.5 mm may not be necessary, and may just cause more pain and hematomas.

Does anyone know if a solo esthetician working in a salon can perform micro needling? Prof she can under a medical director, or in a medical office under the supervision and direction of a dr.? I want to add this service and am doin research now to figure it out.

Which is better dermapen or rejuvapen ??