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Updated April 2026 · about a 7 minute read
Gentle passes, the right serum, a little patience: that is the whole game.
The short answer
Resurfacing at home means gliding an at home skin tool (a roller, stamp or pen) over clean skin at a gentle depth of 0.25 to 0.5mm to support the look of smoother, firmer, more even skin. Prepare well, work clean, and pair it with the right serum. Browse PDRN serums.
Looking to refresh your skin and soften the look of fine lines, scarring or uneven texture? This gentle skin treatment is a minimally invasive cosmetic technique that is hugely popular for good reason. In this guide we cover what the treatment involves, how to prepare, a step by step at home method, and the aftercare that keeps your skin looking its best.
What is collagen induction therapy?
This treatment, also called collagen induction therapy, uses an at home skin tool (a roller, stamp or pen) to create tiny micro channels in the surface of the skin. This prompts the skin’s natural renewal response and is associated with the appearance of a smoother, firmer, more youthful looking complexion.
You can work on areas of the body as well as the face. Many people use it to soften the appearance of caesarean, surgical or chickenpox scarring, and the look of crepey skin above the knees or on the neck. A note on depth: a gentle home treatment sits at 0.25 to 0.5mm. Deeper work is a clinical treatment and should be performed by a trained skin therapist, so please do not attempt deep depths at home.
How to prepare for your treatment
1. Choose the right tool. For home use, invest in a quality at home skin tool (a roller, stamp or pen) with sterile, single use heads and adjustable lengths. Derma stamps and electronic treatment pens are popular choices.
2. Clean your skin. Wash with a gentle cleanser to remove makeup, dirt and oils, then pat dry with a clean towel.
3. Work in a clean, well lit space. Keeping everything sterile helps protect your skin.
Step by step at home treatment
Materials needed:
- A sterile at home skin tool (a roller, stamp or pen)
- A serum or skin booster: salmon DNA PDRN serum, exosomes or hyaluronic acid
- A gentle moisturiser and clean towels
Step 1: Sanitise. Wash and sanitise your hands. Sterile heads come individually packaged and should be discarded after a single use.
Step 2: Section your face (forehead, cheeks, chin) so you cover every area evenly.
Step 3: Begin and apply serum. Hold the at home skin tool at a 90 degree angle. Glide gently over each section in vertical, horizontal and diagonal passes, around six to eight light passes per area, listening to your skin. Use light pressure; there is no need to push hard. Keep enough serum on the skin so the tool glides smoothly.
Your session is only ever as good as the serum you glide in with it.
Step 4: Apply serum again. In the few minutes after your session, your skin is primed to absorb. Reapply your PDRN or exosome skin booster to support hydration and comfort.
Step 5: Mask. Apply a hydrating sheet mask after your serum.
Step 6: Red light (optional). Use an LED red light tool to help your skin feel calm and comfortable afterwards.
Step 7: Moisturise. Finish with a gentle moisturiser. Avoid heavy or irritating products straight after. Browse our hydrating salmon DNA skincare.
Aftercare: keeping your skin radiant
1. Avoid makeup for at least 24 hours to let skin settle.
2. Sun protection. Skin is more sensitive afterwards, so use a broad spectrum SPF 30+ and limit sun exposure for about a week.
3. Hydrate. Drink plenty of water and use hydrating products to keep skin looking plump.
4. No harsh products. Skip retinoids, exfoliants and strong actives for about a week; keep to gentle, hydrating skincare.
5. Keep a consistent routine of gentle cleansing, hydration and SPF.
6. Space your sessions. Allow around 4 to 6 weeks between sessions, depending on your skin and goals.
Final thoughts
This treatment is a lovely way to refresh the look of your skin at home or with a professional. The key is good preparation, gentle technique and consistent aftercare. Always listen to your skin, and consult a skincare professional or dermatologist for advice tailored to you.
Your session is only as good as the serum you pair with it. The right PDRN or exosome skin booster helps the treatment support hydration and a smoother looking finish. New to it? A starter bundle pairs an at home skin tool with the right serum in one go.
Shop at home skin tools and bundles →
CureNex Salmon DNA & Peptide Daily Serum
A fragrance free PDRN serum that pairs beautifully with your at home skin tool (a roller, stamp or pen) to support hydration and a smoother look.
$49.50 AUDAfterpay available · free shipping over $150Shop the Daily Serum →
Skin needling before and after: what results to expect
In Australia, skin needling is the everyday name for this gentle treatment. Whichever you call it, the before and after change is gradual rather than instant, because your skin’s natural renewal response builds over the weeks following each session.
In the first 24 to 48 hours your skin may look flushed and feel slightly tight; this settles quickly. Most people notice a fresh, hydrated glow within a few days. Improvements in the appearance of texture, fine lines, enlarged looking pores and uneven tone typically build across a series of sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.
Before and after one treatment: after a single gentle session expect temporary radiance and plumper looking skin rather than a dramatic change. The cumulative smoother looking benefits, softened scarring and fine lines, generally show after three to six consistent sessions paired with the right PDRN or exosome skin booster. Tip: photograph your skin in the same spot and lighting each time so your own before and after is honest.
Derma stamp vs treatment pen vs nano needling
Choosing your first at home skin tool is one of the most common questions we get, so here is the plain English version:
- Derma stamp: a manual tool you press straight down (no dragging). Ideal for targeted areas like a single scar, the lip line or the brow. Gentle, controlled and very beginner friendly.
- Treatment pen (skin needling pen): a motorised tool that works rapidly for fast, even coverage across larger areas like the cheeks and forehead. Most have adjustable depth, so keep it at 0.25 to 0.5mm for home use.
- Nano needling: uses ultra fine silicone tips that work at the very surface without creating true micro channels. It is the gentlest option, ideal for sensitive skin and for boosting serum absorption between deeper sessions.
All three pair best with a salmon DNA PDRN serum or exosome skin booster. New to it? A starter bundle pairs the tool and serum for you.
Starting with a derma stamp? Our complete derma stamp guide walks through safe depths, step by step technique and aftercare in detail.
Frequently asked questions
What depth should I treat at home?
For home use, stay gentle, around 0.25 to 0.5mm. Deeper work is a clinical treatment and should only be done by a trained skin therapist.
What serum should I use with my treatment?
A PDRN, exosome or hyaluronic acid serum is ideal because it absorbs well through the tiny micro channels and supports hydration and a smoother looking finish.
How often can I do a treatment?
Most people space sessions around 4 to 6 weeks apart, depending on skin type and goals.
Does the treatment hurt?
At a gentle home depth most people find it very tolerable.
What does the treatment look like before and after?
Immediately after, skin often looks flushed for a day or two. Over a series of sessions many people see the appearance of smoother texture, softer fine lines and a more even tone. Results are cumulative and vary from person to person.
Is skin needling the same as collagen induction therapy?
Yes, they are two names for the same gentle technique. Skin needling is the term used most often in Australia.
What is the difference between a derma stamp and a treatment pen?
A derma stamp is pressed straight down by hand and suits small, targeted areas. A treatment pen is motorised for fast, even coverage of larger areas. Both should stay at a gentle 0.25 to 0.5mm depth at home.
How many skin needling sessions before I see a difference?
Most people notice an immediate short lived glow, with appearance benefits building over roughly three to six sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.
Disclaimer: these are cosmetics, not therapeutic goods, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. A home session should be done at a gentle depth with sterile, single use heads; deeper work should be performed by a trained professional. Always patch test; not suitable for those with fish allergies.
