Microneedling Post Care Guidelines
Immediately after treatment, your skin will feel warm and tight just like a bit of a sunburn. 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 skincare routine immediately after treatment. Instead, you will have to follow specific post microneedling aftercare instructions which we will provide you at the end of your treatment.
Tara suggests that you use the following aftercare methods in the days following the treatment.
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 the ZO Gentle Cleanser or 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
Our HA Serum and Accelerator will help soothe and heal the skin while reducing irritation. Since your skin will feel drier than usual, you can hydrate and restore your skin’s balance with a serum containing hyaluronic acid and growth factors as well. We recommend the Growth Serum bu ZO skin Health. 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.
3: Avoiding Irritants and Makeup
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.
4 : Protecting 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. A sunhat could also be used if you are going to be outside for a few short moments. These measures should not only for after your treatment but should also as part of your regular day-to-day skincare routine, to protect your skin from premature aging.
5: 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 skincare routine after a microneedling treatment, you must also avoid the following:
Direct sunlight;
Swimming;
Sweating, exercise, and vigorous activities that cause sweating; and,
Tanning beds in general
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.
Even on regular days, it’s important to treat your skin gently with products that are effective but not damaging to your skin. When you are healing, however, you must show additional care and be extra to get optimal results from your treatment.
Microneedling is a minimally-invasive skin rejuvenation treatment that can effectively treat your skin concerns. It remains of course that like all skin treatments it requires proper aftercare.
Our number is (603)-783-1087.
Love the skin you are in!
Tara