Aftercare Instructions for Microneedling

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Immediately after treatment, your skin will feel warm and tight. It will also be pink or mildly red as if you were out in the sun for a while. The redness and warm feeling should subside after a few hours. But for some patients, it can take a day or two for these side effects to go away completely. For others, it may take up to a week before the redness has completely subsided. If this happens, you may use a cooling face mask to reduce the redness, heat, and inflammation.

Since microneedling creates minuscule “wounds” in your skin, you cannot continue with your regular skin care routine immediately after treatment. Instead, you will have to follow specific post microneedling aftercare instructions.

1: Cleansing Your Skin

For the first 72 hours following your microneedling treatment, only clean your face with lukewarm water (not hot or cold) and a gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil Facial Cleanser.  Always make sure to clean your hands before washing your face and touching the treated skin.

Gently dry your skin with a clean towel (lightly dab the water away) and do not use any powered cleansing brushes for at least a week after your treatment.

2: The Importance of Hydration and Specialized Serums

Since your skin will feel drier than usual, you can hydrate and restore your skin’s balance with a serum containing hyaluronic acid. Do not use any harsh facial products or anything with Retinol, Retin-A, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Alpha or Beta Hydroxy Acids, Vitamin C or exfoliants

Using moisturizers with ceramides and spritzing hydrating water sprays whenever your skin feels dry can also help soothe your skin.

Remember, of course, to drink plenty of water to hydrate and to help heal your skin faster. You may also take 1000mg Vitamin C and/or Collagen supplements.

3: Make the Most of Your Skin’s Regeneration

Since microneedling stimulates collagen growth, you can make the most of this regeneration process with collagen-stimulating peptides. These can maximize the collagen stimulation that is occurring from the microneedling treatment. . We recommend the GHK-CU Copper Peptide Amino Complex Formula I by NCN Skincare (can be purchased online). 

Do not wear makeup for 24 to 72 hours following your microneedling treatment so you can allow your skin to breathe and recover. Also, do not use a makeup brush at this time—especially a dirty one.  When it is safe to use a makeup brush again, make sure only to use clean ones as contaminated brushes can cause skin irritation and infections.

Your skin is sensitive and healing during this rejuvenation process, so avoid using any products that could irritate it or clog your pores.

5: Protect your Skin from The Sun

Immediately after your treatment, you should only use chemical-free topical lotions. It is best, therefore, to avoid the sun altogether. If you must go out in the sun, you will need to apply a use a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 25 or higher sunscreen.  Use a mineral based physical sunblock with Zinc Oxide. A sunhat could also be used if you are going to be outside for a few short moments.

These measures should not only be followed after your treatment but should also be a part of your regular day-to-day skin care routine, to protect your skin from premature aging.

6: No Need for Exfoliation

While your skin is healing, do not use any abrasive products like exfoliators and alcohol-based toners. While it may be tempting to exfoliate your skin, you must remember that it is healing and regenerating. You should only apply products that help soothe and heal the skin during this time.

What to Avoid After A Microneedling Treatment

Along with changing your skin care routine after a microneedling treatment, you must also avoid the following:

72 hours after treatment

• Direct sunlight;
• Swimming;
• Sweating, exercise, and vigorous activities that cause sweating;      and,
• Tanning beds.
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For One week After treatment

• Powered cleansing brushes;
• Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids;
• Retinol (Vitamin A);
• Vitamin C (low-pH formula) scrubs; and,
• Anything perceived as “active” skincare.