GloPRO

What Is GloPRO?

The GloPRO Microneedling Regeneration Tool is a patented microneedle treatment device designed to gently injure and renew your skin, revealing a firmer, brighter, smoother appearance. But how?

The device uses an LED light and four interchangeable MicroTip attachment heads designed for the eyes, lips, body, and face that create tiny channels in the top layer of skin.

This allows your skin to be exfoliated so that your preferred serum can penetrate deeper and lead to a more radiant complexion.

Together, the company claims that performing just one minute of the non-invasive, painless treatment three times a week will provide you with ‘age-defying results’ that last.

For extra flexibility, each GloPRO subscription comes with two MicroTip head attachments (facial and body) so that the tool can be used on almost every part of your skin.

What makes GloPRO different than other beauty products on the market? We’ll start by taking a closer look at how the device works.

How Do You Use GloPRO?

According to the company website, the GloPRO microneedling skin roller works best when used at night. It is simple to use in three main steps.

First, the device comes with both a cord and AAA batteries. You can use it plugged in or rely on the batteries. Note that the cord doesn’t charge the GloPRO.

To start the procedure, clean and dry your skin. Next, swipe the included Skin Prep Pads over your face where you plan to use the device to clarify and condition it beforehand.

You will then roll the Regeneration Tool across the prepped parts of your face, moving it in every direction for a full sixty seconds. There’s no reason to apply pressure while doing so.

You can spend extra time on trouble spots, such as pores next to your nose, stress wrinkles on your forehead, and nose to mouth lines.

After the procedure, apply your favorite facial lotion within 60 seconds while the micro-channels in your skin are still open and ready to absorb. With continued use, the company claims you can start seeing results in just four to six sessions.

For best results, the company suggests using your GloPRO at least three times a week. At this use frequency, you should replace the included MicroTip Attachment Heads every 2-3 months.

Microneedling and the GloPRO device aren’t limited to use on your face. According to the company website, the body attachment head can be used on any part of your body that you want to repair, including your legs, chest, and backside.

When rolling GloPRO over your skin, what—exactly—will you be doing to it? Next, we’ll explore the science behind MicroStimulation.

What Is MicroStimulation?

MicroStimulation, more commonly known as microneedling, is the process of using tiny surgical needles against the skin to trick it into responding as if it’s been injured.

According to the New York Times, these tiny injuries trigger a biological response by increasing the production of collagen and elastin, which eventually results in fewer wrinkles and less noticeable scars and stretch marks.

Wounding skin to improve its appearance isn’t new. Chemical peels, lasers, and dermabrasion are also ways to boost collagen production in the skin.

However, while these procedures can only be practiced occasionally to avoid irreversibly damaging the epidermis, microneedling is frequently considered a safer alternative because it utilizes the body’s healing mechanisms.

This is because the process creates micro-wounds that don’t damage the epidermis, while still increasing collagen production.

Says Dr. Sejal Shah, a board-certified dermatologist, “microneedling is able to utilize the body's natural healing mechanisms so results are very natural.”

When performed by a doctor, small studies have shown that microneedling appears to make a difference in wrinkles for women approaching middle age.

“Because there is minimal downtime associated with it,” Dr. Shah told us, “I often recommend it as a maintenance for people who are trying to stave off the signs of aging.”

However, our research on Google Scholar, as well as speaking with GloPRO’s media agent, revealed that there doesn’t seem to be a record of any large, peer-reviewed studies on the benefits of microneedling, especially for home systems like this MicroStimulation Facial Tool.

Let’s carry this thought over to the next section.

Are There Any Studies on the Benefits of GloPro?

Browsing Google Scholar for published evidence related to the benefits of microneedling, we encountered about a thousand studies at the time of our research. From a high-level perspective, what did they conclude?

One 2009 study on at-home microneedling found that it led to a distinct improvement in the appearance of acne scars for 36 out of 37 participants. The study also found that longer options led to the biggest benefits, with 1.5 mm needles making a difference, but 3 mm needles working the best to remove the most severe acne scars. For comparison, the GloPRO device has 0.3 mm needles.

Some research has also shown that microneedling might be more effective than fractional laser treatments. For example, a 2016 study focused on 46 patients found both procedures to be effective, but microneedling was shown to have fewer side effects.

On the GloPRO product website, a user study is referenced where participants used the facial device three times a week for thirty days.

According to their results, 93 percent saw skin tone improvement, 90 percent considered it an alternative to cosmetic filters, and 97 percent felt that they looked younger.

When we reached out to the company directly, we received a research summary of participants’ survey results (not a copy of the actual study) that seemed to validate these claims.

Analysis of GloPRO Customer Reviews

According to the company website, GloPRO was the 2017 Editors Pick Award Winner from totalbeauty.com. The device has also been featured in the New York Times, Vogue, and Allure.

In all three cases, the articles are written primarily about microneedling, and highlight the GloPRO as the most popular home treatment option currently available.

In fact, enthusiasm for the GloPRO was so high that, when the device was first launched on the Home Shopping Network March 31, 2016, it sold out in less than 13 minutes. For the rest of 2016, the device was a top seller for the network.

On Amazon, customer reception seems to be similar. At the time this article was published, the device had 70 reviews that averaged four stars. Some users reported that the device was quick and efficient to use and that the procedure itself was stress relieving.

Others noted that they didn’t notice much difference after four weeks of use, and reported that they believed the device was overpriced compared to cheaper microneedle devices without a LED.

A review on Allure.com revealed that the user found GloPRO to be less painful than she expected and that it caused her to get constant compliments on her “glowy” skin after three weeks of regular use.

Are There Risks with Using GloPRO?

According to the same New York Times article from earlier, microneedling comes with a small increased risk of infection if it gets rolled through an infected hair follicle. And while the company recommends treating the tool in alcohol between uses, it’s important to keep in mind there’s always a possibility it won’t kill all pathogens.

There is also a chance that using the GloPRO can increase your risk of suffering an allergic reaction to the serum you apply afterward, because it will penetrate deeper into your skin. For this reason, CBS News reports that some dermatologists recommend professional microneedling treatments, where serum application can be controlled, but recommend against using an at-home device like the GloPRO.

How Much Does GloPRO Cost?

At the time of writing, the GloPRO Original Device sells for $199. You can also purchase limited-edition sets that come in different colors and include different attachment heads.

It’s also possible to buy microtip attachment heads separately. The face, eye, and lip attachment cost $35, while the body microtip is $45. You can purchase the full set for $115.

Regarding returns, the company website states you can message info@beautybio.com within 60 days of purchasing GloPRO if you have any complaints.

The company will refund your purchase once they receive the device in the mail, minus shipping fees and an $8 restocking fee.

What Beauty Products Are Similar to GloPRO?

Several home-based microneedling beauty products have recently entered the market.

The Alferdo Derma Roller Skin Care System contains 540 microneedles that are .25mm (the GloPRO’s range from .2 to .5mm, depending on the attachment head) and is rolled across the skin to create micro-injuries in the same way.

Like the GloPRO, the Alferdo Derma Roller is also designed to be used three times a week directly before applying a nourishing serum.

What’s different is that it doesn’t have a motor or a LED light, and instead is simply rolled across the face. At the time of writing, the Alferdo had 341 reviews on Amazon and an average 5-star rating, and retails for $14.99.

Another microneedling tool on the market is a Micro Roller from StackedSkincare.

Featuring 0.2mm stainless steel needles, this device is similar to the Alferdo Derma Roller because it is designed to be manually rolled across the face to minimize the appearance of fine lines. These needles are slightly shorter than the 0.3mm needles in the GloPRO.

At the time of writing, the Micro Roller retailed for $30 on the company website and had an average of 5 stars after 686 reviews.

Pro tip: It’s also important to note that the needles on professional devices are longer still, and there is some evidence that these longer needles (usually 0.5 to 1.5 mm) tend to deliver the best results for collagen production.

However, these longer needles can also be more dangerous, since they can penetrate deeper into the skin and cause greater trauma.

For this reason, it might be a good idea to invest in the longest needles on an at-home device that you can find (usually less than 0.5 mm), but stick to the professionals for anything bigger.

Compared to all these other options, we reached out to the company and learned that it relies on something called ‘VibroTactile Stimulation,’ which the company’s press sheet claims acts like a domino effect to push energy deep into the skin without penetrating the epidermis.

We were also informed that LED therapy in the tips produces red light that helps increase collagen density and combat the effects of aging, which the company claims causes cells to grow 200% faster than those not stimulated by light.

At the time of publishing, we didn’t encounter any clinical evidence reported on GloPro’s site or third-party authoritative sites validating these claims.

The Bottom Line: Who Can Benefit from Using GloPRO?

Our research into recent news articles and professional studies about the effects of microneedling has shown that it’s fast becoming a popular anti-aging treatment, both with professional dermatologists and in home-based products.

The GloPRO was the first microneedling device of its kind to be developed, and it created a media storm when it was released on the Home Shopping Network in 2016. However, our search for reviews from verified buyers since then came up short.

In our opinion, the scientific research on the benefits for microneedling for collagen production is intriguing, but the research specifically for the GloPRO is limited.

When we reached out to the company we received a copy of their summary survey results and the opinions of the study participants, but no hard research.

If you are intrigued by microneedling and are looking for a home-based option, GloPRO appears to be a top of the line device.

Though cheaper microneedling devices are also available, the GloPRO is the only device our research revealed that has a LED light and a motor, which the company claims allows for a deeper, more even penetration of the epidermis.

In conclusion, microneedling seems to have the research to back up its skincare claims, and the GloPRO is considered to be the premier home-based device if you want to try the procedure for yourself.

And if it doesn’t work out, you can always take advantage of the company’s 30-day refund policy.

» Recommended Reading: Is Facial Microneedling at Home Safe and Effective?