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If you’ve been reading this blog for a while now, you’re probably familiar with my history with acne and how I finally got it under control (See: Banish Acne Scars: Product Review + My Professional Life With Acne). Even as an esthetician I struggled with acne, but derma rolling was the best thing I ever did to beat it.

Whether it’s smoothing out fine lines, fading acne scars or just simply increasing your skin’s radiance, there’s nothing a good derma roller and skincare regimen can’t fix. And if you’re consistent with your routine, you’re pretty much getting a series of medical treatments at home for less than the price of a single dermatologist visit.

Although I love preaching about the wonders of derma rolling, I’ve always worried about potential injuries caused by misuse. It’s a common misconception that shorter needles create less chance of injury, but truthfully, regardless of the needle length, derma rollers are still medical devices. Misuse is unfortunately fairly common.

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First: What is a Derma Roller?

A derma roller is a small handheld device that has a rolling head covered with short needles. When used properly in a skincare regimen, derma rollers can stimulate the skin by creating tiny “microchannels” that allow deeper penetration of skincare products. The stimulation also creates a “controlled injury” under the skin which triggers collagen to be produced in order to heal faster than usual. More collagen equals fewer wrinkles and brighter skin, so it’s great for addressing both signs of aging and acne scars. You can refer back to my previous blog post here featuring Banish Acne Scars to read my in-depth experience with derma rolling along with some very interesting before and after photos of yours truly.

Misusing a Derma Roller Can More Harm Than Good

Although most derma rollers available to consumers have much shorter needles than medical-grade rollers, it is still possible to misuse them. Here are the most common issues with derma rollers:

• Improper storage is common because of the flimsy case most derma rollers come with
• Needles can easily be bent out of place as a result, causing discomfort and potential cuts on the skin
• Using derma rollers without sterilization is common due to the messy process
• People often believe pressing harder will yield better results, although this is far from true
• People neglect to use derma rollers in tandem with a supportive skincare regimen

Most of these problems are a result of the device using a roller head. I loved the concept of the now discontinued Banisher Pen – a microneedling device with a flat head instead of roller head – because it was far less likely for the needles to bend and cause small cuts and scratches across my skin, but the surface area was too small to use all over the face.

Daisy, the creator of the Banish Acne Scars system felt the same exact way about the derma roller, so she created an all-new type of derma roller: meet the Banisher 2.0.

Compared to the previous Banisher, the Banisher 2.0 doesn’t roll at all. In fact, it’s almost like a new and improved version of the previous Banisher Pen, except with a larger surface area. Using a flat head instead of a roller head addresses the issue of needles bending from improper storage.

Speaking of sterilization: because the cap doubles as its own sanitation cup, all you need to do is pour a tiny bit of alcohol into the cap and screw it on. Voila, a mess-free way to sterilize your device without wasting tons of rubbing alcohol. And there’s no risk of the cap coming off by accident like the flimsy plastic containers that derma rollers are stored in.

The flat surface also minimizes the temptation of pressing down too firmly on the skin, which was easy to do with the earlier Banisher roller. This assures the safe use of micro needling without causing irritation to the skin or bending needles.

Although you can get derma rollers anywhere online, micro needling is most effective when used in tandem with a good quality Vitamin C serum. And let’s not forget the products that also prevent acne from coming back! This is why I love the Banish Starter Kit: Not only does it come with the new Banisher 2.0 but it also includes Vitamin C products to enhance the effects of micro needling, a charcoal mask to combat acne, and a pumpkin masque to exfoliate and brighten.

Despite a price tag of $195, I still recommend it over all other acne skin care systems. It’s all organic, made fresh to order, contains no parabens or sulfates that may irritate the skin, and actually heals the scars left behind by acne, which most acne systems fail to address. Most acne products only kill acne-causing bacteria, whereas the Banish Starter Kit does so much more: it focuses on keeping the skin healthy and exfoliated to prevent the build-up of bacteria, dead skin cells and oil that contribute to acne, thus eliminating the root problem.

If you want to try out the products individually, you can shop the entire Banish collection here.

Whether you suffer from cystic acne or are dealing with acne scars, I highly recommend trying the Starter Kit by Banish Acne Scars. Although acne is now a thing of the past for me, I still use my Banish kit for preventative care.

Have you ever tried micro needling? Let me know in the comments below about your experience or trouble with acne and don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more beauty tips and tricks.

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