Would you love to experience a smooth healing after the microneedling procedure? Then, you need to understand the aftercare procedures. They are necessary to help you gain the best results and reduce adverse effects.
This guide will review ten crucial aftercare tips to help you get the most out of your microneedling treatment and maintain healthy, glowing skin for a long time.
Let’s get started!
What Happens After Microneedling?
There are many things to expect after a microneedling procedure. You can get a transient erythema resembling a mild sunburn. Also, tingling and redness due to the micro-injuries from a microneedling treatment are an expected inflammatory response.
There may be more signs, too. For instance, you can have some sensitivity and slight bleeding, which is okay and should ideally disappear within the first few days.
While beneficial, microneedling can sometimes lead to temporary side effects; adequate preparation will help boost your chances of a quick recovery.
But before we dive deep, let's look into microneedling healing.
The Recovery Procedure
Skin renewal generally takes 72 hours to 5 days after microneedling. In this process, skin grows back gradually to regain its normal physiology during this period. On the outside, you might see that the skin is pale, but there’s deep tissue work on collagen and elastin fibers occurring on the inside.
But what affects recovery? Specific parameters influence the rate of skin healing, from the skin type and the depth of the needle insertion to the overall skin condition. Sensitive skin may require a more extended healing period than other skin types.
Peeling and Flaking
Flaking and peeling are typical reactions to microneedling therapy. Dry, flaky patches may emerge as your skin sheds old, damaged cells during regeneration. This usually happens a few days after starting treatment and goes away over time. At this point, always avoid skin-picking as this leads to scarring. You can always manage this by using a small percentage of moisturizer to alleviate the soreness. Otherwise, allow the flakes to fall naturally.
Long-Term Benefits
Although you may feel irritated in the first several days after the microneedling treatment, you will enjoy the outcome. After a long time, the skin will have a smoother surface and no signs of fine lines.
In addition, skin tone changes to a natural tone. However, proper skincare shouldn’t stop here; you can undergo additional treatments to retain the desired outcome.
Remember, patience is vital. Microneedling produces average outcomes that will take some time to appear and can take up to two or three weeks. Let your skin breathe, have enough time, and heal.
10 Tips for Microneedling Aftercare
Now, what’s the microneedling aftercare process? It is an essential part of the entire microneedling process, and failure to adhere to the proper aftercare procedure could result in infection, scarring, and poor outcomes. To avoid this, here are a few tips to guide you:
Tip 1: Gentle Cleansing
After microneedling, the treated area is usually sensitive. Therefore, choosing a gentle, non-fragranced soap and warm water to clean the face without drying the skin is crucial. Additionally, avoid strong cleaners, peels, and abrasive products, as they may irritate. This simple action promotes healing and preserves the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Tip 2: Drink a Lot of Water
Your skin needs a lot of water after microneedling. An oil-free moisturizer will help seal that moisture and promote speedy recovery. Facial serums containing hyaluronic acid are also perfect because of their hydrating properties.
Tip 3: Protect your skin
UV radiation poses a real threat to the skin on any given day and is even more of an issue after undergoing microneedling. So you should avoid sun exposure; if you can’t, wear sunscreen with 30 SPF or above every two hours. This will protect your delicate skin and help it heal faster.
Tip 4: Hands Off
The temptation to rub the face is reasonable, especially if one feels itching. But you should avoid it. Hands are serial germ carriers that might infect the skin surrounding the treated area. Touching the treated area with your hands may also impede healing, resulting in uneven skin tone or scarring. Avoiding touching the treated area with your hands can help you achieve the best outcomes and allow your skin to heal effectively.
Tip 5: Avoid Irritants
It is wise to detox the skin with suitable products. Avoid products containing solid chemicals like retinoid alpha or beta hydroxides such as AHA and BHA the following week after the microneedling treatment. These ingredients can elicit skin irritation, yet you still need thorough skin healing.
Tip 6: Calm it Down
Sores remain red after healing due to the inflammatory process. For this reason, you may apply cold compresses on your skin to alleviate the feeling and the inflammation.
Tip 7: Listen to Your Skin
This is another aspect of skin care that most people neglect regarding post-micro-needling care. Skin is the body’s largest organ; as such, it is different in all individuals. Be careful of your skin’s response to the process and possibly irritating products afterward. Discontinue the peel if the skin becomes excessively red and swollen or if the patient experiences pain and contact a dermatologist.
Tip 8: Patience is Key
It could take three weeks to many months to see results from a microneedling operation. This is because collagen and elastin synthesis are gradual processes requiring some time. Sometimes, it may take several procedures with significant space in between to note the difference.
Tip 9: Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
A balanced diet, adequate sleep, and regular exercise benefit the body's overall health and add to the skin's nutrition. Even during microneedling aftercare, such practices help assist the skin in healing at a faster rate.
Tip 10: Avoid Spray Tans After Microneedling
After a microneedling procedure, one should strictly refrain from using spray tans and self-tanning products for at least two to three weeks. The skin may become more sensitive and prone to irritation due to the microscopic punctures created by microneedling. Chemicals in spray tans can seep into these minor wounds, which may result in allergic responses, inflammation, or skin discoloration.
Furthermore, the uneven removal of the spray tan caused by the exfoliation process during the microneedling healing phase can make the skin appear ugly. Giving your skin time to heal completely is critical before using any self-tanning products.
Micro-needling is an investment you make on your skin; hence, taking good care of your skin afterward is essential. These tips allow you to get the best out of your microneedling session. Keep in mind to follow through on consistency so that your skin is properly cared for following microneedling.
Extra Tips about Microneedling Aftercare
Avoid Strenuous Activities
Again, when one is very active, they sweat, which causes the skin to become more irritated and prone to infection. As such, it is proper to refrain from engaging in activities that involve a lot of sweat for at least 2-3 hours after the treatment because this gives the face a chance to heal without aggravated stress.
Sleep on Your Back
Following facial treatment, lie down on the back to avoid applying pressure to the treated areas within the first few hours. Also, remember to change your pillow more frequently for a cleaner sleeping space for you and your partner.
Products to Use After Microneedling
By adhering to the recommended aftercare protocol, microneedling will be significantly more effective. Learn about must-have skincare items to relieve discomfort, recover moisture, and shield skin after every treatment.
Cleansers
Dry skin is delicate, and following microneedling, it becomes dryer and more sensitive. Thus, you should avoid sun exposure and ensure you are adequately hydrated. So, get cleansers if you have dry skin to keep it clean and for faster healing.
Moisturizers
Hyaluronic acid-based creams and lotions make skin look healthy, moisturized, and poreless. A ‘signature’ example in this category is Diaminy’s hyaluronic acid essence.
Serums
In contrast to other therapies, the skin is more delicate after microneedling. An appropriate serum can help improve skin tone and stimulate collagen regeneration to maximize effects and speed recovery.
So, after the procedure, do not use other products on the skin. Use only hyaluronic acid serums, which are the best for skin hydration.
Sunscreen
After microneedling, it is wise to put on sunscreen because the skin cannot recover under the sun. Sunscreen lotion has a sun-blocking capability of not less than 30 minutes and is a barrier to the UV rays that may harm the soft skin.
Additional Tips
- Do not apply skin creams that have alcohol, retinol, or fragrance within the first 24 hours after undergoing microneedling.
- Patch test new products: To determine if other products cause any side effects, one should wash a small area of the skin and apply the product to use during microneedling aftercare on the washed patch of the skin.
- Consult with a dermatologist: Like most treatments, it is always safer to seek professional help if your side effects persist or if anything goes wrong in the aftercare period.
Microneedling Aftercare Routines by Skin Type
Similar to the initial procedure, you can get a prescription for managing post-micro needling care depending on an individual's skin type. Here's a breakdown of how the routines vary:
Normal to Dry Skin
It is well-known that dry skin is delicate; after the microneedling procedure, it becomes even more dry and sensitive. Therefore, you should prevent exposure to direct sunlight and ensure proper hydration. If you have dry skin, here's what your microneedling aftercare routine should look like;
- Cleaning: Use a moderate cleanser not to damage the skin's hydrolipidic layer and cause dryness.
- Moisturization: The skin is the body's largest organ, so it must retain moisture.
- Ceramide—and hyaluronic acid-infused moisturizers should be featured on every beauty shelf to restock the skin's moisture bank.
- Apply coconut oil. When the skin is dry, coconut oil can be used as an emollient to help retain moisture.
- Sun Protection: This water-resistant, mineral-based product, enriched with zinc oxide, protects delicate skin from sun damage.
Oily to Combination Skin
Oily skin produces more sebum during the day and even at night than normal skin. Therefore, it is vital to care for oily skin. Most dermatologists agree on the following process:
- First, you should wash the face with gelled or foamed wash if it requires removing excess oil without rubbing the skin barrier.
- After that, use a mild moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid, preferably a water gel type but not an oily one. This ingredient is helpful because it helps maintain skin hydration without making it more vulnerable to UV.
- Try Niacinamide serums. They are an excellent skincare master that also controls oil production: They are an excellent skincare master that also controls oil production:
- Finally, sunscreen has benefits for our skin. It is water-based, oil-free, and non-acnegenic, and it will not clog the skin pores or give an erroneous wet look.
Sensitive Skin
Microneedling aftercare for sensitive skin means creating the necessary conditions for the skin after the procedure. Hence, it is wise to avoid using soaps that contain chemicals or those with distinct fragrances. However, it is advisable to have a mild type of soap that does not trigger any allergic reactions and has some dangerous chemical content.
Organic mild creams for the skin should be used to moisturize it, especially if it is sensitive. Make the most natural cream for the skin by adding a trace of chamomile or aloe to it. This will give the skin good moisture and also enhance the rate of skin recovery.
Last, everyone should realize the importance of sunscreen while microneedling aftercare. If your skin is not balanced yet, use mineral sunscreens that are more protective than regular sunscreens.
Acne-Prone Skin
Following microneedling, it is essential not to give the skin another chance of breaking out in acne. Also, suitable salicylic acid wash should be washed regularly to clean the surface of the pores.
Niacinamide or azelaic acid serums can also prevent it, minimizing seborrhea and inflammation. Finally, one should put on a 30ml broad-spectrum oil-free sunscreen that tends not to block pores.
In summary
Microneedling is safe but can be risky if not properly cared for after the procedure. By sticking to the prescribed regimes, such as drinking water, wearing hats to shield your skin from the sun, staying away from substances that irritate, and washing your skin very gently, you can make your skin regain its youthful appearance much faster. Integrating several parts may take time and effort, but it is worth it.
Of course, be bold and ask questions.
So, are you ready to transform your skin with a safe microneedling procedure and an impressive aftercare routine? If so, contact us now and start your path to overcoming your skin concerns and embracing healthy skin again.
