Microneedling Aftercare
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling is also called collagen induction therapy. It’s a procedure carried out by a qualified therapist, during the procedure the therapist uses a tool with small needles to prick your skin. The point of the treatment is to generate new collagen production since it can create firm, smooth, clean, and toned skin.
After the treatment, your skin is more sensitive because the tiny punctures are in the process of healing, you need to take steps to protect your skin’s barrier as it heals. For this reason, you can’t follow your usual skincare routine, and some products need to be avoided in the first 2 – 3 days.
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What to Expect
After you have a microneedling procedure, some side effects are to be expected. When you leave your appointment, your skin may be slightly red. The redness will most likely persist for 24 hours or slightly longer. Even with careful aftercare, there isn’t much you can do to get rid of the redness immediately after microneedling.
Covering up the redness with makeup is one of the worst things you can do, as the makeup will block the pores on your newly exposed skin and might even cause breakouts. You’ll need to have some patience as the redness subsides, but in the meantime, you can apply gentle, unscented products with natural ingredients.
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Microneedling Aftercare
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1. Avoid the sun after microneedling
Stay out of the sun and avoid sunbeds. As a general rule, you should use sunscreen whenever you are exposed to the sun, for the first 2 weeks after microneedling. It is important to protect your healing skin from sun damage during the recovery process.
Always use sun screen SPF30 or above. Do not apply chemical sunscreen the same day as treatment.
2. Avoid active topical skin care products after microneedling
Don’t use any products that have active ingredients such as retinol or alpha acids as these can irritate your skin even more. Only use products that your microneedling practitioner has recommended.
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3. Do not use makeup after microneedling
It is vital that you let your skin breathe for 24 hours after the treatment. The skin channels are open, and applying makeup can penetrate the pores causing further irritation. You should wait 24 to 48 hours before using makeup, leaving enough time for the skin to recover.
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4. Applying face masks after microneedling
You can use a cooling and hydrating face mask to give your skin a quick break. Also, this will help with any inflammation, just make sure you use a mild, and not a harsh mask.
A soothing and hydrating mask sheet can help calm the skin, but make sure it is mild and does not contain active ingredients.
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5. Avoid intensive exercise or activity that will make you sweat
Sweating will cause your pores to reopen, meaning that any bacteria will be able to enter the skin punctures. This can lead to a either a reaction or infection.
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6. Avoid long hot baths and showers after microneedling
Don’t have a bath for 1 day, and don’t go for long baths and showers during the first week of your recovery. Avoid spas and saunas.
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7. Do not swim after microneedling
Avoid swimming in chlorinated pools or the sea.
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8. Avoid tattooing after microneedling
This includes cosmetic tattooing such as Microblading.
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9. Avoid further clinical treatments after microneedling
These include but are not limited to microdermabrasion, laser, IPL, chemical peels and muscle stimulation.
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10. Avoid spray tan (or self-tanning) after microneedling
Do not apply spray tanning or fake tanning creams for 2 – 3 weeks after the treatment.
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Microneedling Homecare Advice
Your practitioner will prescribe specialised post-session topical creams.
For the first 1 – 3 days, the skin may feel dry and tight. Frequent use of post-session topical creams will help alleviate this.
After 2 – 3 days, you can return to regular skin care products or as soon as it is comfortable to do so.
Cleansers
You shouldn’t wash your skin at all during the first 72 hours. After that, gently exfoliate the skin after 3 – 5 days to remove the flaky dead skin that commonly forms after treatments.
Use a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water, and make sure your hand motions are as gentle as possible. Also, you shouldn’t use any face brushes (goat or synthetic hair) for at least 7 days after the process.
Avoid alcohol-based toners for 10 – 14 days.
Recommended Products
You can use an antioxidant serum which will promote healing and assist in soothing the skin and further irritation.
As microneedling serves to stimulate the production of collagen, the skin needs higher amounts of collagen than normal to recover optimally. Collagen stimulating serums assist in that process, further aiding in the stimulation of collagen production.
Hydration
It is important to stay hydrated before and after your procedure to help your skin heal and rejuvenate faster. Avoid caffeine or alcohol.
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