The Dermapen 4 is finally here, yip, my most favorite skincare device was recently upgraded and has finally arrived on SA shores – when I say recently I mean last year April – we’ve waited a long time for this baby. So imagine how excited I was to be invited by Natural Aesthetics to be one of the first in South Africa to give it a try.
Dermapen is a fantastic treatment and definitely one I think everyone should be doing from their mid-to-late 20’s to help fight off the signs of father time. If you want all the deets on Dermapen and the benefits, I did a full post on the treatment and benefits, here, so go have a squiz. This review will be based on my experience with the Dermapen 4 and will highlight the differences between the 3 and the 4.
The differences:
Cordless
No wires – means freedom of movement and less restriction. The therapist is able to easily move the device where needed.
Amount of needles
The Dermapen 3 has 12 needles whereas the Dermapen 4 has 16, thus generating 47.69% more microchannels than its predecessor and 104% more than other, counterfeit devices. More pathways means better infusion of active substances (hyaluronic acid/Peptides/PRP etc whatever the therapist feels best suits your skin needs at the time) and thereby facilitate in skin regeneration.
Speed
The Dermapen 3 is able to generate about 1300 holes per second whereas the Dermapen 4, 1920 holes per second. This means faster treatment time and the ability to cover larger areas.
Dedicated Scar treatment function
This newbie is the only device with a dedicated scar setting, used for the revision of deep atrophic and hypertrophic scars including surgical scars, stretch marks, post-acne and burn contracture scars on both face and body, being able to go up to 3mm’s deep. AOVN technology, automatically calibrates the motor speed, pressure and penetration for targeted precision and there is no dragging or pulling of the skin.
The evolution
My experience
For me, the experience was pretty much the same as with the Dermapen 3. My skin was thoroughly clean and sterilised and numbing cream applied. Once numb, that’s when the fun began.
The device has been said to be less painful, but I can’t confirm this to be true, I found it to feel pretty much the same as the Dermapen 3. I’ve seen some videos online where the treatment is done without numbing cream but I cannot for the life of me understand how and why someone would do that!? It’s definitely not a treatment you want to do without some anaesthetic relief.
The great thing though is that because of the higher speed and additional needles the therapist doesn’t need to go over an area as frequently to create the inflammatory response. This cuts down treatment time, which in turn would make it more comfortable and maybe slightly less painful.
Although everything was pretty much the same, I did notice that I had more flaking post-treatment, which lasted until about day 6/7, this isn’t due to going deeper as we went the depth that I normally go. I initially thought that this could be due to there being more needles, thereby creating more microchannels/micro wounds but I chatted to Dr Wade about it and he advised that the extended flaking could possibly be due active products I used before the treatment and/or other factors and is not a common difference noted.
Skin flaking day 5 post-Dermapen.
Alginate Mask + DF Machine Treatment
After my Dermapen, I was spoilt with the addition of an Alginate Mask + DF Machine Treatment. This cooling, peel off masque assists in normalising the pH of the skin and is best used at the end of a treatment to help create a refreshed and soothed appearance. The addition of the DF Machine current helps to facilitate penetration of vitamins and it is considered the most effective machine for enhancing the penetration of high doses of vitamins and serums into the skin.
Alginated mask done after my Dermapen by the friendly and knowledgable, Clarissa and before and after Lycogel concealer application.
Final verdict:
Love the Dermapen 4 and feel its a great upgrade. The new scar function is amazing and a game changer for those with terrible scarring, looking for a conservative treatment approach. The Alginate Mask was an awesome addition and definitely assisted in cooling down the stinging/sunburnt sensation after my treatment.
As per usual Natural Aesthetics were very professional and informative. I love their no BS approach and the fact that they choose to only offer treatments that have been thoroughly researched and tested. I find trust when going to a clinic to be a very important factor and, trust Dr Wade and his team, I do. They have a great new therapist, Clarissa at their Green Point branch and she is just divine and VERY knowledgeable. I felt completely safe in her hands.
FYI: Natural Aesthetics will be running a “DERMAPEN 4 LAUNCH SPECIAL” for the month of April: Receive a Face & Neck Dermapen 4 Treatment + An Alginate Mask + DF Machine Treatment for only R1,500.00 (all inclusive). Available at both Somerset West and Green Point practices.
The day after, looking fresh and ready to go with my Lycogel concealer
One week post-Dermapen with light foundation, skin is looking and feeling great!
Natural Aesthetic Details
- Phone: 021 433 0967
- Email: bookings@naturalcape.com
- Website: www.naturalaesthetics.co.za
- Instagram page: @natural_aesthetics_skin
