As far as skincare treatments go, microneedling is always a great choice. It’s safe, minimally invasive, and can drastically improve your skin.
The only catch: you need to take your aftercare seriously.
See, the thing about microneedling is that it actually punctures your skin. For your skin barrier to fully heal, you’ll need to take precautions. In general, your skin will be particularly sensitive within 48 hours of the procedure.
Want to know more about microneedling aftercare? Here are some essential dos and don’ts after microneedling treatments!
Know What to Expect
Microneedling procedures involve a few common side effects. Though they aren’t dangerous, it still pays to be aware of them.
The most obvious side effect of microneedling is skin redness or flushing. This will usually look like you have a mild or moderate sunburn. Most of this redness will fade within two days of the procedure.
Other common side effects include swelling and bruising. Like with redness, most of the visible recovery from these effects happens within 48 hours. Under the surface, your skin could be healing for up to two months.
Some side effects, like peeling and flaking, can take a bit longer to resolve. This is due to an increased turnover of your skin cells. In general, these effects will mostly subside within a week.
Keep Your Skin Out of the Sun
As mentioned above, your skin will be very sensitive after the treatment. As a result, you’ll be more prone to sun damage than usual.
In the first week after the procedure, avoid spending too much time out in the sun. If you have to go outside, apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Do so even if you think you don’t need it, i.e., it’s cloudy outside.
Reapply sunscreen often, especially if you’re sweating a lot. For best results, keep doing this for two weeks after microneedling. A skincare routine can do a lot to protect your skin barrier as it’s healing.
Don’t Wear Makeup Right Away
As tempting as it is to cover redness with makeup, don’t do it! This could block the pores on your exposed skin, potentially causing breakouts.
The good news: you won’t have to suffer for too long. After 48 hours, it will be safe for you to put on makeup again. In the meantime, you can get some relief by using unscented products with natural ingredients.
Once you do decide to put on makeup, make sure to use a clean brush. A contaminated brush can cause an infection or more irritation. Even in normal circumstances, you should clean your brushes at least once a week.
Prevent Bacterial Infections
Beyond not wearing makeup, there are a few other things you should do to avoid infection. Some of these are obvious; others, less so.
First, avoid touching your face or picking on your skin. This could disrupt your microneedling recovery process and lead to peeling. If you absolutely have to touch your face, wash your hands first.
Next, stay away from baths and hot showers. Hot water strips your skin of its natural oils, which will slow down the healing process. You’ll be free to enjoy hot water again 24 hours after your treatment.
Finally, avoid anything that makes you sweat. This includes intense exercise, saunas, steam rooms, and heat treatments. You can go back to these activities 72 hours after the procedure.
Refuse Alcohol for a Week
Like most cosmetic treatments, microneedling comes with a “no alcohol” rule. To be on the safe side, avoid drinking for a week after the treatment.
Why is alcohol a potential issue? For starters, it’s a diuretic, which means it dehydrates your skin. Dehydration reduces the rate at which your skin barrier is repairing and increases the risk of side effects.
On top of that, alcohol weakens your immune system. The more you drink, the more susceptible to infection you are. After the first 48 hours, a single drink should be fine, but make sure to drink some water as well.
Use the Right Products
Many cleansers and moisturizers can exacerbate the side effects of microneedling. For the first three days, stick to natural, oil-free products.
One substance that’s very helpful here is hyaluronic acid. It helps calm and soothe the skin post-procedure. In some cases, your dermatologist will even recommend it for stimulating your collagen production.
If your skin feels dry or irritated, use coconut oil as an emollient. This will help hydrate your face by locking in most of your moisture. Alcohol-free witch hazel is also a good choice for cleansing dry skin.
Avoid Exfoliants and Retinols
When it comes to products to avoid, exfoliants top the list. Almost all exfoliants contain harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin.
Once two days have passed, you can go back to exfoliating. That said, you still don’t want to disrupt your microneedling healing process. While exfoliating, use a soft washcloth and gentle circular motions.
As for other skin care products, avoid anything that contains retinol. Glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and vitamin C can also be harmful. You can start reintroducing these chemicals into your routine after two days.
Know When to See Your Doctor
Once your microneedling procedure is complete, your doctor will schedule a follow-up. This will usually be 4-6 weeks after the procedure.
In rare cases, you’ll need to see your doctor sooner than expected. Though microneedling is a low-risk procedure, some side effects can escalate. Common symptoms that require medical attention include:
- Nausea
- Green or yellow discharge
- Bleeding
- Fever over 100°F
- Hives
- Constant headache
Some infections caused by microneedling happen when the needles aren’t properly sterilized. To avoid this issue, read up on microneedling reviews before choosing your healthcare provider.
Microneedling Aftercare Made Easy
Microneedling aftercare can make a big difference in how your treatment goes. As long as you follow the above guide, you’ll be able to protect your skin and soothe the short-term symptoms.
At Derm Aesthetics, we offer a full course of RF microneedling treatments. This form of microneedling uses radio frequency waves to enhance the effects of the treatment. Contact us here to learn more about this technology!
