We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. What to Buy Skincare Products After 700+ Hours of Testing, These Are the Best At-Home Derma Rollers for Reducing Fine Lines & Acne Scars We tested 22 derma rollers to find the most effective, easy-to-use options for every skin concern By Shannon M. Bauer Shannon M. Bauer Shannon Bauer is a beauty editor and writes about food, beauty, and wellness. health's editorial guidelines and Isabella Ubaldi Isabella Ubaldi Isabella is a writer and graduate of the Master of Publishing and Editing program. She has 10 years of research and writing experience covering a variety of health and wellness topics. health's editorial guidelines Updated on December 3, 2024 Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD Leah Ansell, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University. learn more Fact checked by Richard Scherr Fact checked by Richard Scherr Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Health.com. He is a seasoned journalist and editor with over two decades of experience, he has held several leadership roles at major publications. health's fact checking process In This Article View All In This Article Reviews Our Testing Process Our Experts Who We Are Health Using tiny needles on your face may not seem ideal for healthy skin, but that’s exactly what derma rollers can do. Microneedling, or derma rolling, creates tiny, undetectable wounds in the skin’s outer layer, triggering the natural healing process and boosting collagen and elastin production. This “precise injury,” as dermatologists refer to it, helps keep the skin firm and resilient and can effectively reduce acne scars, stretch marks, and fine lines, according to Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. When selecting the best derma rollers for at-home use, experts recommended choosing a derma roller with needles made from hypoallergenic materials, such as stainless steel or titanium, that are no longer than 0.5 mm for safety and effectiveness. We spent over 700 hours testing 22 at-home derma rollers to find the most effective options for a variety of skin care concerns. Each was evaluated for effectiveness, ease of use, and quality. Additionally, a dermatologist from our Medical Expert Board reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy. Our Top Picks Best Overall: StackedSkincare Microneedling Tool at StackedSkincare ($89) Best for Wrinkles: Kitsch Micro Derma Roller at Ulta ($14) Best for Brightening: Prosper Beauty Microneedle Derma Roller Kit at Prosperbeauty.com (See Price) Best for Body: Angel Kiss 4 in 1 Titanium Microneedling Roller Kit at Walmart ($20) Best for Acne: ORA Gold Deluxe Microneedle Dermal Roller at Target ($34) Best for Sensitive Skin: Skin Gym Microfusion Dissolving Hyaluronic Roller at Amazon ($70) Best for Advanced Users: Jenny Patinkin Rose on Rose Derma Roller at Amazon ($70) Best Investment: BeautyBio Facial Microneedling Tool at Amazon ($199) The Editor's Take As the Senior Editor for Health, I've spent the past two years testing skincare products, and I've interviewed countless dermatologists throughout my 15-year career as a journalist. Yet, I'd never used a derma roller until we tested them for this story. I was initially nervous about rolling tiny needles over my face, but it only felt like a slight tingle. Using the derma roller made my skin feel firmer and gave it a healthy glow, and it's now part of my evening skincare routine a few times per week. While at-home derma rollers don’t penetrate as deeply as professional microneedling treatments, one of the best benefits of using them at home is that serums and creams can sink further into your skin and be more effective. If you're new to derma rolling, I recommend this Micro Needling Tool from Stacked Skincare. It's easy to use and was even comfortable for our editor with sensitive skin. According to Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Mount Sinai in New York City, just be sure to keep the derma roller clean to minimize breakouts and infection. The best ways to clean them include rolling the needles over an alcohol swab or pouring rubbing alcohol directly over the head of the derma roller before each use. —Jessica Wozinsky Fleming, Senior Editor Best Overall StackedSkincare Microneedling Tool PHOTO: Health / Joy Kim $89 at Amazon View on Stackedskincare.com Why We Like It When it comes to micro needling tools, this one from StackSkincare was founded by a licensed esthetician, and we found it easy to use, effective and durable. Our dermatologists recommended it as a great choice for those with sensitive skin, making it ideal for almost any skin type. It does have a higher price point, but the ergonomically-designed aluminum handle makes for more comfortable and safer rolling. It also comes with replaceable heads, making it a cost-effective choice in the long run. Our editor has dry skin and she found that after using this derma roller, her skin texture significantly improved. And after consistent use, she noticed the fine lines around her eyes weren't as noticeable. It’s Worth Noting At the time of writing, this derma roller was priced at $89, making it one of the more expensive ones in the list, which may not suit every budget. However, the fact that it’s markedly more durable, designed for longevity, and easy for beginners to use makes up for it. Product Details: Needle length: 0.2mmMaterial: Stainless steel Accessories included: Replaceable heads PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best for Wrinkles Kitsch Micro Derma Roller PHOTO: Health / Joy Kim $14 at Ulta View on Mykitsch.com $14 at Urban Outfitters Why We Like It After several weeks of testing, this Kitsch micro derma roller improved skin appearance and texture. It seems to have reduced some fine lines for someone in their 50s. It's best suited for those who are aware of fine lines and wrinkles and want to address them before reaching for invasive measures like injectables. Our expert dermatologists advise that at-home derma rolling is not likely to drastically improve wrinkles. However, derma rolling can make skincare more effective by allowing for better product absorption. The ergonomically-designed handle on this one was easy to use and felt durable. Also, the needles didn’t aggravate semi-sensitive, dry or crepey skin. It’s Worth Noting This derma roller did not necessarily reduce the appearance of wrinkles on somebody in their 50s, however it did improve texture, brightness and overall appearance. It doesn’t come with a replacement head. Product Details: Needle length: 0.25mmMaterial: Stainless Steel Accessories included: Storage case PHOTO: Health / Margo Suckow PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health / Joy Kim Best for Brightening Prosper Beauty Microneedle Derma Roller Kit PHOTO: Health / Natalie Guisinger View on Amazon View on Prosperbeauty.com This derma roller is great for occasional breakouts because its relatively short needle length minimizes aggravation. We should say up front that it’s not recommended to use any at-home derma rollers on aggressive acne flare ups. The DERMAROLL was effective on combination skin that experienced occasional breakouts and appeared to reduce hyperpigmentation while brightening the complexion. It was easy to get started with this derma roller because it’s lightweight and came with instructions making it perfect for beginners. After three weeks of use, skin appeared brighter and texture seemed improved too. It’s Worth Noting Although the derma roller heads are made with titanium, it seemed as though the needles would last about 5 uses before potentially needing replacement. Product Details: Needle length: 0.25mmMaterial: Titanium Accessories included: x3 replaceable heads, protective case PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best for Body Angel Kiss 4 in 1 Titanium Microneedling Roller Kit PHOTO: Health / Jaclyn Mastropasqua $20 at Walmart View on Angelkiss-beauty.com Why We Like It Though you could technically use any derma rollers for your body, this one by Angel Kiss is an excellent choice because it comes with interchangeable, different-sized heads, so you can cover larger areas more quickly. What we particularly like about this kit is that the heads feature different microneedle lengths ranging from 0.25mm - 0.3mm each. In our tests, this kit was effective for someone who dealt with eczema, occasional breakouts, and dry, discolored patches. Using it 2-3 times a week, there was a noticeable improvement in discoloration and fine lines and an improved skin glow, which was attributed to both the microneedling and the serums applied afterwards. It’s Worth Noting This kit comes with its own cleaning compartment; however, it was too small to be practical or useful. Product Details: Needle length: 0.25 - 0.3mmMaterial: Titanium Accessories included: Cleaning compartment, 3 interchangeable heads Health Best for Acne ORA Gold Deluxe Microneedle Dermal Roller PHOTO: Health / Rachel Bowen $34 at Target $35 at Dermstore $21 at Walmart Why We Like It Our editor noticed improvements in skin tone, glow and reduced acne within a week of use. We also appreciated its sturdy yet lightweight build. The titanium needles were easy to sterilize and felt durable enough to last more than a few months of regular use without replacing the head. This roller has microneedles within the safe-to-use-at-home zone (0.25mm), so it’s great for beginners and experienced skincare devotees. It’s Worth Noting Some redness and minor discomfort were experienced after use; however, this subsided in time. Our editor noticed it was important to pay attention to the proper ways to derma roll, which lines and paths to follow on your face and neck, and which ones to avoid to protect delicate skin. Product Details: Needle length: 0.25mmMaterial: Titanium Accessories included: Clear storage container PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best for Sensitive Skin Skin Gym Microfusion Dissolving Hyaluronic Roller PHOTO: Health / Michelle Garza $70 at Amazon $70 at Ulta $70 at Nordstrom Why We Like It Sensitive skin needs a little extra TLC, and this Skin Gym roller was a favorite during testing because of the additional hyaluronic acid and peptide inclusions. Each of the 3,000 microneedles is filled with a serum that infuses into your skin after rolling. The serum is sulfate and paraben-free, making it a great choice for sensitive skin. In our tests, this derma roller created a nice afterglow after a slight learning curve to find the right pressure. We found the derma roller to be very sturdy and think it would last a long time. It’s Worth Noting Since this product is at the mid-upper end of the price range, we wish it came with a protective case. Our editor experienced some brief irritation and redness after use, but it went away quickly. Product Details: Needle length: 0.25 mmAccessories included: 2 replaceable roller heads Health Best for Advanced Users Jenny Patinkin Rose on Rose Derma Roller PHOTO: Health / Stephanie Lewis $75 $45 at Amazon $53 at Bluemercury.com $75 at Saks Fifth Avenue Why We Like It This multifunctional tool is dermatologist-designed and one of our favorite derma rollers on the market. It comes highly recommended by Dr. King, who says that it’s well made and helps skincare products perform better by creating thousands of painless micro-channels that enhance product absorption. All of the products in our tests are useful and easy enough for derma rolling beginners. This one takes our pick for advanced users because the acupressure ball on one of the ends adds an extra step to the routine. Insights from our test showed that this derma roller improved the skin of someone who already has an advanced and extensive skincare routine. The handle was lightweight, but felt durable and sturdy and there was no irritation or redness after use. As long as it’s sterilized and cleaned properly between uses, the stainless steel needles felt sturdy and comfortable. It’s Worth Noting The rose quartz acupressure ball is believed to emit energy-healing properties. While we can’t medically attest to that, the facial massage that goes with it will work well for your circulation and skin. Product Details: Needle length: 0.2 mmMaterial: Hypoallergenic stainless steel needlesAccessories included: Replaceable head, genuine rose quartz acupressure ball included at the end of the wand. PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best Investment BeautyBio Facial Microneedling Tool PHOTO: Health / Cara Milhaven $199 at Amazon $39 at Sephora $299 $298 at Walmart The aptly named Glo Pro made it to the top of our Best Splurge category for a few reasons. Our testing insights show that it worked well on someone with mild combination skin with few blemishes and seemed to reduce the appearance of fine lines. A comfortable little tool, this derma roller is ergonomically designed and includes a few accessories such as a spray cleaning bottle. What our tester and our expert like most about this product is that it’s easy to use — just press the button and start rolling. It incorporates red light technology to boot, doubling down on stimulating collagen production. It’s Worth Noting Our tester noticed temporary redness immediately after using the tool, but this subsided after a few hours.Throughout our testing period, the reduction in fine lines seemed to last about three weeks; however, the results may be more permanent with prolonged use. Product Details: Needle length: 0.3 mmAccessories included: Storage container, empty sanitizer bottle, 5 GloPro skin prep pads, power cord & adapter, 2 pre-installed AAA batteries. Health Our Testing Process To help you find a derma roller that can make the most of your skincare products and safely improve your skin, we tested 22 derma rollers, dedicating a total of 704 hours to testing over an 8-week period. We analyzed key attributes, including: Ease of use: We assessed how simple it was to use each derma roller. We noted whether there was a learning curve or if the tool was intuitive. We evaluated whether the roller was easy or uncomfortable to hold and whether it fit seamlessly into daily routines or felt inconvenient. We also considered if the tool included a storage container for added practicality.Effectiveness: We rated this category based on factors such as the tool’s impact on skin concerns, immediate skin appearance after use, and any improvements in fine lines, wrinkles, acne, or pore size.Quality: Durability was a major focus in this category. We examined the materials used, their perceived quality, and the sturdiness of each roller. We noted if the roller was lightweight or heavy, whether the needles dulled over time, and if the head was replaceable. Additional features, such as red light, heat, or alternative attachments, were also considered.Overall Results: Finally, we evaluated the overall effect of using each tool. We reported on how our skin looked after consistent use, whether the results were satisfactory, and whether there was any discomfort or significant redness during or after use. Our Experts The Health team spoke to expert dermatologists about at-home derma rolling and had a separate dermatologist oversee and advise on our testing period. In our interviews, we discussed the different types of derma rollers according to body parts and the safest needle length and materials for at-home derma rolling. The dermatologists we spoke to include: Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Mount Sinai in New York City Rachel Nazarian, MD, our lab-testing expert and consultant, board-certified dermatologist in New York City How to Use a Derma Roller As with any skincare regime, consistency is key. Particularly since skin cells take approximately 28–40 days to turnover, you’ll see the best results after the first month or so. It's best to use the derma roller in the evening, before applying serum. Before use, clean the head of the derma roller with an alcohol swabStart with once per week, lightly roll over a clean, dry face, moving the roller in one fluid back-and-forth motionCover each area of the face vertically, then change directions to roll in horizontal and diagonal patternsImmediately after rolling, apply a hyaluronic acid or peptide serum Do not apply makeup on freshly rolled skin. Do not roll over your eyelids, nose, or lips. Start by rolling only once per week and increasing the frequency as your skin tolerates itDo not roll over active breakouts Who We Are Isabella Ubaldi is a Health.com writer with a keen personal and professional interest in skincare approached from a health lens. She has researched, written about, and worked for various global and independent skincare clients. Aesthetically, she believes in making the most of what you’re born with and adopts a “less is more” approach to her skincare and makeup routine. She frequently uses a derma roller at home and visits her dermatologist. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit