Where are you getting these numbers on depth from?

There are quite a few studies that contradict the claim that 1.5mm is the max that should be used. Maybe in a home environment without numbing cream, sure.

3.5mm RF microneedling performed with no significant adverse effects (only redness, swelling, temporary pain, and hyperpigmentation). Personally, I’ve done Fractora RF Microneedling at 4mm for three sessions (one of which using PRP as well) and had results less dramatic than yours, however my scarring was not as severe and it was still a massive improvement. It hurt on bony regions and whenever my practitioner applied the RF, but the pain was temporary. I can’t report any hyperpigmentation in my personal case, in fact I felt there might have been less than there was previously.

I’m not going to pull up all the studies, but a quick google search of “pubmed microneedling” will reveal many published and peer-reviewed studies that use needles longer than 1.5mm without significant adverse effects.

Nonetheless, I’m glad that this worked for you and I see a great improvement, regardless of lighting or not. I urge anyone interested in at-home dermaplaning to be careful when performing the process and to possibly inquire about microneedling within a clinic if your scarring is severe.