How to Take Care of Breaking Out After Microneedling

Have you ever wondered why you break out after microneedling when all you wanted was smooth, glowing skin? You're not alone. In fact, up to 20% of people who microneedle end up with post-micro-needling breakouts, particularly those with acne-prone or sensitive skin. However, there’s no need to panic!

Microneedling leaves micro-injuries in the skin, boosting collagen production and improving texture. While these micro-injuries are harmless, they can sometimes cause breaking out after microneedling.

Question is: How do you take care of breaking out after microneedling and get that flawless look? Read further as we delve into expert tips to help you take care of your skin after microneedling.

What is Microneedling and How Does It Work?

Collagen induction therapy, or microneedling, involves puncturing the skin's surface with tiny, sterile needles to create micro-injuries.

Sounds intense, right? The good news is these controlled injuries trigger your skin’s natural healing process, increasing collagen and elastin production. The result? It helps to smooth out fine lines, fade acne scars, and create a smoother texture.

But while your skin is in this repair mode, it's also more vulnerable. After microneedling, the tiny channels created during the therapy can trap bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells, causing breakouts.

Why Does Microneedling Cause Breakouts?

Skin goes through a lot during microneedling. The tiny needles cause lots of micro-injuries, triggering your body to produce more collagen. However, if skin isn’t properly prepped or taken care of afterward, these same micro-injuries can trap bacteria and dead skin cells.

Let’s see what contributes to breakouts after microneedling:

1. Post-inflammatory response: Your skin is in healing mode and therefore your skin is temporarily red and inflamed, increasing the chances of a breakout.

2. Bacterial contamination: If you touch your face or use unsterilized tools, you can introduce bacteria into the open micro-channels.

3. Clogged pores: Microneedling boosts cell turnover. Nonetheless, if dead skin and oil aren't cleaned properly, they can fill pores and cause acne.

4. Using active ingredients like retinol.

Being able to identify these triggers is vital to avoid breaking out after microneedling and achieving that perfect, glowing skin you’re trying to achieve.

Pre-Microneedling Preparation

Do you want to avoid breaking out after microneedling? You have to start by preparing your skin the right way. Do this before microneedling:

1. Cleanse and exfoliate: This will get rid of dirt and dead skin cells to avoid clogged pores. Still, you should avoid harsh exfoliants 48 hours before your session.

2. Avoid heavy products: Stay away from oil-based moisturizers or makeup that will trap bacteria on your skin.

3. Hydrate: Well-hydrated skin heals faster, and is also less likely to break out after microneedling.

4. Avoid using any aggressive treatments, retinol, AHAs, or anything that may cause irritation at least 5 days prior to the procedure.

5. Preventing sunburn is a must: excessive sun exposure can increase your skin’s sensitivity to inflammation.

Always book a session with a licensed esthetician or dermatologist to ensure proper sterilization and technique.

Microneedling Aftercare

Your skin is in full-on recovery mode after microneedling. It’s how you care for the skin after microneedling that matters. Here’s what to do right after microneedling:

1. Don't touch your face to keep bacteria from entering the tiny microchannels.

2. Gentle cleansing only: Wash with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser to remove impurities without irritating your skin.

3. Soothe and hydrate: Use a hyaluronic acid serum or soothing aloe vera gel to calm redness and keep your skin hydrated.

4. 24-48 hours without makeup: Makeup can easily clog your pores, and your pores are more open after microneedling.

5. Sun exposure can cause inflammation and hyperpigmentation. Protect skin with a zinc oxide-based sunscreen.

Can I Ice My Face After Microneedling?

Yes. It reduces swelling and soothes redness. Make sure you are using a clean ice pack wrapped in a soft cloth to avoid direct contact with your skin.

How to Treat Breakouts After Microneedling

With the right care, you can clear a breakout after microneedling and still get that glowing, flawless skin that you’re after. The following steps can help you get breakouts under control:

Step 1: Spot Using Harsh Treatments

After microneedling, you might be tempted to grab harsh acne treatments but don’t. Use a gentle spot treatment with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide instead. The inclusion of these ingredients will help unclog the pores and fight bacteria without irritating your skin.

Pro Tip:

Use the spot treatment only on the pimple itself, not on the surrounding skin to avoid dryness and peeling.

Step 2: Soothe with Anti-Inflammatory Products

One reason why you might be breaking out after microneedling is inflammation. Turn to products with aloe vera, chamomile extract, or niacinamide to calm your skin. These ingredients decrease redness, swelling, and irritation so your skin can heal more quickly.

Step 3: Balance Your Skin with Probiotics

Actually, probiotics aren’t just good for your gut—they’re also good for your skin! A probiotic serum or a cream can restore the balance of your skin’s microbiome, keeping out the bad bacteria and preventing more breakouts.

Step 4: Control Sebum with Niacinamide

Vitamin B3, also known as niacinamide, is known to balance oil production and reduce inflammation. It keeps breakouts at bay and strengthens your skin barrier.

Step 5: Hydrate Without Clogging Your Pores

To heal, your skin requires hydration, but heavy, oil-based creams will make breaking out after microneedling worse. Apply a lightweight, non comedogenic moisturizer with hyaluronic acid to plump and calm your skin without clogging pores.

Step 6: Incorporate Enzyme Exfoliation (After 72 Hours)

Once your skin calms down a bit, a gentle enzyme exfoliant (such as papaya or pineapple extract) can help remove dead skin cells and prevent pore blockages. This step cleans out any remaining impurities that can cause future breakouts.

Step 7: Protect Your Skin Barrier

Since your skin is working so hard to heal, assist it by applying a moisturizing cream to ensure it can keep its moisture locked in and protect itself from environmental irritants. Seek products that are packed with ceramides or Centella Asiatica, both of which are known for their soothing and repairing properties.

Step 8: Avoid Makeup and Intense Activities

Wearing makeup or going to the gym too soon can keep those bacteria in your pores leading to breaking out after microneedling. You should give your skin 48 hours of breathing time before applying makeup.

Step 9: Hydrate and Nourish from Within

Antioxidant-rich foods (such as berries and green leafy veggies) and drinking plenty of water will aid in the repair of your skin from the inside out. Inflammation and breakouts are less prone to occur on hydrated skin.

Step 10: Seek Professional Help for Persistent Breakouts

If your breakouts get worse or do not clear up within a week, see a dermatologist. They can prescribe topical medications to help speed up recovery.

Can Microneedling Cause Hyperpigmentation?

Aside from breaking out after microneedling, one of the biggest concerns people have is the fear of developing dark spots or uneven skin tone.

Unfortunately, microneedling can cause hyperpigmentation if it is performed improperly or without the appropriate aftercare. If microneedling is too aggressive or is done on sensitive or darker skin without proper precautions, it can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

When your skin is exposed to UV rays, harsh products, or too much heat during the healing phase after microneedling, it can trigger melanin production which may go into overdrive, resulting in dark spots.

How to Prevent Hyperpigmentation After Microneedling:

1. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and avoid direct sunlight for at least 2 weeks.

2. Don’t use any retinol, AHAs, or Vitamin C for the first 5-7 days.

3. Try using skin brightening products. Products containing Niacinamide and licorice root can inhibit pigmentation from taking place.

4. Avoid hot showers and saunas. Heat can trigger melanin activity.

For Darker Skin Tones:

Hyperpigmentation is more common in people with melanin-rich skin. Preventing unwanted side effects can be accomplished by consulting a dermatologist who is experienced in treating darker skin tones.

Microneedling Before and After Black Skin

You're not alone if you have melanin-rich skin and are breaking out after microneedling. Microneedling can be great for people with darker skin tones, but they’re also more susceptible to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

What Does Microneedling Look Like on Black Skin?

● Before: Uneven skin tone, acne scars, or hyperpigmentation.

● After: Brighter complexion, smoother texture, less dark spots.

Microneedling brings about collagen stimulation and fades dark spots in a safer way than harsh treatments like chemical peels because it doesn't remove the top layer of skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does microneedling hurt?

Usually, microneedling is not painful but rather mildly uncomfortable. Before the procedure, a numbing cream is applied.

The depth of the needles plus the sensitivity of your skin will determine the level of discomfort. There may be redness and tightness post-procedure, but this typically goes down within a few hours to a day.

2. What is the micro needle price?

The cost of microneedling will depend on a number of factors including the location, provider's level of expertise, and the treatment area.

The cost of a single session can vary from $200 to $700 and multiple sessions are usually required to produce the desired results.

For acne scars or fine lines, some clinics can offer package deals that can reduce the cost per session.

3. What are the results of gone wrong microneedling before and after 1 treatment?

Issues such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, scarring, or infection can occur when microneedling is performed incorrectly, or without proper aftercare.

This is often a result of unsterilized tools or aggressive needling. Poorly performed microneedling before and after photos reveal uneven skin texture, dark spots, and persistent redness.

To avoid these risks, it's important to choose a licensed professional and adhere to strict aftercare.

4. What is the recovery time for microneedling?

Recovery time for microneedling is generally 24 to 72 hours, but some skin may feel mildly red, swollen, and sensitive for a week or more.

Avoid sun exposure, harsh skincare products, and heavy workouts during this period to prevent irritation and breaking out after microneedling. Using calming serums and hydrating your skin can help the healing process.

5. Can you drink after microneedling?

After microneedling, it is recommended that you avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours. Alcohol can cause blood vessels to dilate and increase inflammation, resulting in prolonged redness and irritation.

Furthermore, alcohol causes skin dehydration, which can further slow down the healing process and even cause breakouts. Instead, hydrate with water and nourish your skin with soothing products.

6. How long to avoid the sun after microneedling?

For at least two weeks post-treatment, you should avoid direct sun exposure. Microneedling itself makes your skin more sensitive and more vulnerable to UV damage, which can lead to hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

When you go outside, always apply a broad spectrum SPF 30 (or higher) sunscreen and wear protective clothing. Optimal healing also requires staying in the shade and avoiding tanning beds.

Conclusion

Breaking out after microneedling can be frustrating but is a common and temporary reaction. Following a proper aftercare routine like using gentle spot treatments, hydrating serums, avoiding sun exposure, and staying away from heavy products will help speed up your skin's healing process.

With the right products and a little patience, your skin will soon reveal that smooth, glowing look you’ve been after. Also, remember that consistency is key for best microneedling results.

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