Potentially the most serious side effect of dermarolling / microneedling is infection. It is important to properly clean and disinfect the dermaroller immediately after use, to avoid bacterial growth. It is much less important to disinfect the skin, as it is to disinfect the dermaroller after use.

Especially dark- skinned individuals can encounter temporary hyperpigmentation, usually due to premature sun exposure after dermarolling.

There are several possible post-dermarolling effects that can't really be called "bad side effects" because they are relatively common and part of a natural skin response in many individuals, depending on the circumstances and genetic factors. Redness, irritation and the appearance of red spots are examples of such, and due to the skin having to get used to dermarolling. These side effects are individual - some people are more prone to them than others. Keep rolling - it will get better.

One adverse effect of dermarolling that is easy to avoid is the rolling over inflammatory skin conditions such as Rosacea. Dermarolling can worsen such inflammation.

Some really bad side effects of dermarolling are not strictly a result of the dermarolling itself but carelessness in the application of certain products right after dermarolling, such as Minoxidil, causing heart problems. Similarly, acid peels and whitening creams containing Hydroquinone can cause serious side effects due to their increased absorption.

Single-needling can lead to bruising in cases where the skin is quite thin. Skin thickness depends on gender, age, individual genetics and skin location. Adjust the needle length and/or depth of penetration accordingly. Single-needling icepick scars can make them temporarily larger, because they start out deep and narrow but microneedling collapses their walls, making them wider and shallower. Keep needling - they will slowly fill in.

A very common, harmless side effect of dermarolling is that the skin is dryer and rough for a few days after dermarolling. The longer the needles used and the denser the needling, the more severe the dryness and roughness. The skin is being renewed and this may be slightly uncomfortable but it is perfectly normal.

There has been one report of lasting sensitivity to light and creams, but it is not clear whether this was connected to dermarolling at all. Since this was just one "derma-roller" reporting this adverse effect in many thousands of our dermarolling customers, we do not think we can classify it as a known side effect of dermarolling.

Then there has been another single report of rashes, skin sensitivity, general oversensitivity, skin peeling and skin irritation. As far as we have been able to establish, also this was not a bad effect of dermarolling but it was most likely due to a very prolonged overdose of oral vit. A, excacerbated by Psoriasis.

This is our research on the alleged dangers of Dermarolling / adverse effects of Dermarolling and not medical advice!