Microneedling has become incredibly popular because of its capacity to revitalize skin, increase collagen synthesis, and enhance skin texture. However, what occurs if you get redness, irritation, or even breakouts on your lovely skin?
You're not alone if your skin looks worse after microneedling. Before the skin gets better, many people have a brief period where it seems a bit off.
However, why does this occur? Is it natural or an indication that something went wrong?
In this blog post, we'll go over the reasons why your skin may seem worse after microneedling. We’ll also explore how long it takes for results to show, what products are best to use after the procedure, and how to repair the damage caused by microneedling.
Why Does Your Skin Look Worse After Microneedling?
Let's examine what makes your skin look worse after microneedling:
1. Inflammation Following Treatment
To stimulate the creation of collagen, microneedling creates controlled micro-injuries in the skin. The micro injuries set off an inflammatory reaction that results in redness, swelling, and sensitivity. Most of these should go away in 24 to 72 hours, and this reaction is very normal. If your skin continues to be red after this period, it can mean that the treatment was too harsh or that your skin is not healing well.
2. A Sudden Breakout Flare-up
Even in those who don't typically have acne, microneedling can have the unexpected side effect of triggering acne breakouts. The procedure can hasten the eruption if you were about to break out before microneedling.
Avoid touching your face after microneedling. Wash your face with a mild, non-foaming cleanser, and use an oil-free moisturizing serum. Moreover, avoid thick, pore-clogging creams to minimize breakouts after microneedling.
3. Flaking and Dryness
The protective layer of the skin is momentarily compromised by microneedling, resulting in flakiness and dehydration. Your skin may start to feel tight or rough. As the old, injured skin is being replaced with new skin, skin peeling is a typical step in the healing process.
Stay hydrated to combat dryness. Following microneedling, hyaluronic acid serums, moisturizers high in ceramide, and soothing balms containing panthenol are the ideal products.
4. Excessive pigmentation, particularly on dark skin
Microneedling dark skin requires particular caution since high pressure or poor aftercare might result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This implies that microneedling may result in short-term dark spots or uneven patches rather than evening-out dark skin.
Always use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen every day to prevent hyperpigmentation, and refrain from using any strong exfoliants after microneedling. Do this for at least two weeks after treatment.
5. Inappropriate Aftercare Items
Your skincare regimen may be to blame if your skin looks worse after microneedling. Unknowingly, a lot of people utilize the incorrect products, making their skin look worse.
For at least a week, stay away from all retinoid, alcohol-based toners, and acid-based exfoliators. To speed up your skin's recovery, use skincare products that are moisturizing and calming.
How Long Microneedling Results Show?
"How long do microneedling results take to appear?" is a frequently asked question. Your skin type, the intensity of your issues, and how well you care for your skin after microneedling will all influence the answer. Anticipate the following:
● The skin may look red, puffy, and a little irritated during the first 24 to 72 hours.
● Days 3–7: Rough texture, dryness, and flaking while the skin regenerates and heals.
● Weeks two and four: The brightness, texture, and general tone of the skin noticeably improve.
● Months two and three are when the most collagen is produced, giving you firmer, smoother skin.
Although one session might result in noticeable progress, most people require three to six sessions separated by four to six weeks to get the best results. The optimal number of treatments for you will be determined during a professional microneedling consultation.
What Should You Do If Microneedling Damages Your Skin?
Although microneedling is an effective skin-rejuvenating procedure, it can have unfavorable side effects. This includes persistent redness, hyperpigmentation, scarring, or even infection if done improperly or without the right aftercare.
Don't worry if microneedling has caused your skin to respond negatively. There are actions you can take to strengthen and restore your skin's protective layer.
But wait, to fix microneedling damage, it's crucial to determine the kind of problem you are facing. Are you experiencing breakouts, black patches, or excessive dryness? Perhaps your skin responded with intense redness and irritation.
Understanding the problem will assist choose the best approach to successfully repair microneedling damage.
Step 1: Stop Using Harsh Skincare Products Immediately
After microneedling, one of the most common mistakes people make is that they keep using their regular active skincare products. And, this is what may happen:
● The skin barrier may become even more irritated and weakened by retinoids (retinol and adapalene).
● Exfoliating acids (AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs): Compounds such as lactic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid make skin more sensitive and might result in peeling or burns.
● Alcohol-Based Toners or Astringents: These dehydrate the skin, exacerbating the dryness and irritation that follows microneedling.
● Fragrance-heavy products and essential oils have the potential to worsen inflammation or cause allergic responses.
● Change to a mild, moisturizing, and calming skincare regimen aimed at restoring skin barrier for the first 7–14 days after microneedling.
Step 2: Maintain Hydration and Fortify the Skin Barrier
Because microneedling momentarily impairs the skin's natural defenses, it becomes more vulnerable to bacterial infections, environmental contaminants, and moisture loss. Prioritize deep hydration and barrier repair if your skin is red, flaky, or very dry.
Hydrating Serums: Seek out topical products that have:
● Hyaluronic Acid: Assists in drawing in and holding onto moisture for the skin.
● Vitamin B5, or panthenol, promotes healing and soothes.
● Peptides: Encourage skin healing and the production of collagen.
The Strengthening of Barriers
Select moisturizers that are high in:
● Ceramides, which are necessary for restoring the skin's protective layer.
● Centella Asiatica (Cica): Promotes wound healing and lessens redness.
● Niacinamide: Evens out skin tone and reduces irritation.
● Calming Balms: Items containing colloidal oatmeal, chamomile, or allantoin can help soothe inflammation.
Advice: For further hydration, use a healing mask made with honey, aloe vera, or snail mucin if your skin is extremely inflamed.
Step 3: Protect Your Skin With Sunscreen
One of the main hazards after microneedling is exposure to the sun, particularly if you have hyperpigmented skin. Because microneedling creates microscopic micro-injuries, your skin is more susceptible to UV rays. This can lead to accelerated aging and long-term discoloration.
● Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen. For the least irritation, choose a mineral-based sunscreen containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
● Dress Protectively: If you're spending time outside, wear a hat with a wide brim.
● Steer clear of direct sunlight for at least two weeks. Dark patches can appear after even brief exposure to the sun without protection.
Use a niacinamide or mild vitamin C serum to progressively lighten discoloration if you already have dark spots or hyperpigmentation.
Step 4: Don't Pick at Your Skin and Have Patience
Picking at peeling skin, popping new breakouts, or over-exfoliating some regions can be tempting, but doing so can exacerbate the damage caused by microneedling, slowing down the healing process.
Allow Natural Skin Healing
Following a good skin care regimen will help the redness, dryness, and flaking naturally diminish.
Steer clear of harsh exfoliation and physical scrubs
Applying a face scrub too soon after microneedling might exacerbate irritation and cause microtears.
Fight the Need to Touch Your Face
Hand bacteria can lead to infections, resulting in breakouts or even dermatitis after microneedling.
Advice: To restore hydration without clogging pores, consider a barrier restorative therapy with squalane, omega fatty acids, or shea butter.
Step 5: Recognize When to Get Expert Assistance
With the right skincare, damage from microneedling usually goes away in a few weeks. It could be necessary to visit a dermatologist or skin care specialist, nevertheless, if your symptoms intensify or continue, get medical assistance. Also, seek medical help if you have:
● Severe, protracted redness that lasts longer than two weeks. This could be a sign of a product allergy or an inflammatory response.
● After the first several days, a burning or stinging feeling could indicate chemical burns from improper skincare.
● Oozing sores or pus-filled breakouts could be signs of an infection.
A dermatologist may suggest laser therapy medications for hyperpigmentation or permanent scarring.
Advice: Stop using all skincare products other than a mild cleanser and moisturizing cream if you think you may have an infection. Get help from a specialist right away.
Best Products to Use Following Microneedling
Does skin look worse after microneedling? Is your skin sensitive and delicate after microneedling?
Well, your skin is extremely absorbent due to the small microchannels made during microneedling. So the products you use afterward may hasten healing or irritate skin.
Selecting the best skincare products after microneedling is crucial for optimizing outcomes, avoiding harm, and guaranteeing a speedy recovery.
The question is: What are the best products after microneedling then? Let's divide it into the following crucial categories:
1. Mild Cleansers to Keep Skin Clean Without Irritation
After microneedling, maintaining clean skin is essential to avoiding infections, breakouts, and congested pores. Harsh cleansers, however, have the potential to peel the skin and interfere with the healing process.
Seek out:
● cleansers without sulfates or fragrances that eliminate contaminants gently without depleting moisture.
● hydrating components that calm the face, including chamomile, panthenol (vitamin B5), and glycerin.
● formulations with a pH balance that won't interfere with the skin's protective layer.
Steer clear of:
● Sulfate-based foaming cleansers (SLS, SLES) as they are drying and unpleasant.
● Scrubs and exfoliating cleansers that contain acids may cause tiny tears in the skin.
● The pH of soap-based cleansers is often high. It might upset the skin's microbiota.
Suggested Products:
● La Roche-Posay Toleriane moisturizing Gentle Cleanser: A gentle, moisturizing cleanser that contains calming thermal spring water.
● Avène Extremely Gentle Cleanser Lotion.: Perfect for sensitive post-procedure skin.
2. Hydrating Serums to Restore Moisture and Promote Healing
The skin barrier may be momentarily weakened through microneedling, resulting in tightness, flaking, and dehydration. The secret to maintaining nourished skin is to use a very moisturizing serum.
● To avoid dehydration, look for products with hyaluronic acid, a humectant that draws and holds onto moisture.
● Products with vitamin B5, or panthenol aid in reducing redness and accelerating the healing process.
● Products with peptides aid in skin healing and collagen synthesis.
Steer clear of:
● Vitamin C products such as Vitamin C might be overstimulating in the initial days following microneedling.
● Products with heavy scents or essential oils as they may irritate the skin.
Suggested Items:
● The Standard Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is reasonably priced and full of nutrients that increase hydration.
● SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel is a high-end option that contains B5 and hyaluronic acid with high efficacy.
3. Skin Barrier Repairing and Strengthening Moisturizers
After microneedling, your skin barrier requires further support. In addition to preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and accelerating healing, a soothing, non-comedogenic moisturizer helps seal in moisture.
Seek out:
● Ceramides- They are necessary for the repairing of the lipid barrier of the skin.
● Niacinamide: Promotes skin rejuvenation and lessens redness.
● Centella Asiatica, sometimes known as Cica, is a natural remedy that reduces inflammation.
Steer clear of:
● Heavy, occlusive lotions containing petroleum or mineral oil. These can irritate skin by trapping heat.
● Strongly scented lotions may cause hypersensitive reactions.
Suggested Items:
● Ceramides and hyaluronic acid: They are abundant in CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, which provides intense hydration.
● Colloidal oatmeal: Found in First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream to reduce redness.
● Bioderma Cicabio Cream: Specifically formulated for skin rehabilitation following microneedling.
4. Sunscreen to Prevent UV Damage and Hyperpigmentation
Your skin is extremely hypersensitive and vulnerable to sun damage following microneedling. You run the danger of diminished collagen production, hyperpigmentation, and early aging if you don't have the right protection.
After microneedling, it is imperative to use sunscreen every day.
Seek out:
● Broad-spectrum protection with SPF 50+ that blocks UVA and UVB rays.
● Mineral-based sunscreens (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide) as they are less irritating than chemical ones.
● Lightweight, non-comedogenic products to prevent pore blockage.
Steer clear of:
● Chemical sunscreens that contain oxybenzone or avobenzone that may damage delicate skin after microneedling.
● Sunscreen sprays: can be drying and frequently don't absorb evenly.
Suggested Items:
● EltaMD SPF 46 UV Clear: A choice among dermatologists for sensitive skin.
● La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral SPF 50: Provides strong protection and a light texture.
● ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica: A mineral sunscreen with a tint that contains enzymes that repair DNA.
5. Masks and Healing Balms to Reduce Irritation
A calming balm or mask might offer instant comfort if your skin seems particularly dry, irritated, or inflamed.
Seek out:
● Colloidal Oatmeal: Decreases inflammation and irritation.
● Aloe Vera: Hydrates and reduces inflammation.
● Propolis or honey: They have natural antibacterial qualities that can help stop outbreaks.
Steer clear of:
● Clay masks and peel-off masks: They might harm healing skin when dry.
● Do-it-yourself remedies that contain apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. They may cause burns.
Suggested Items:
● Avène Cicalfate Restorative Cream: It relieves inflammation and repairs damaged skin.
● COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All-in-One Cream contains snail mucin that is used to hydrate and repair.
● The Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleep Mask soothes and repairs skin overnight.
6. Microneedling-Safe Growth Factor Serums for Faster Recovery
A growth factor serum can be a game-changer for people who wish to improve outcomes and hasten healing. Growth factors reduce downtime, speed up skin renewal, and increase the creation of collagen.
Seek out:
● Epidermal growth factor, or EGF: They aid in anti-aging and wound healing.
● Fibroblast growth factors and fibrillin to promote skin regeneration.
Suggested Items:
● Neocutis Bio Serum Firm: Contains growth ingredients and a potent anti-aging composition.
● SkinMedica TNS Advanced Serum: It has been clinically demonstrated that it improves skin texture.
Final Thoughts
Don't worry if your skin looks worse after microneedling. As your skin regenerates after microneedling, it's common to experience redness, dryness, and moderate breakouts.
The secret to proper aftercare after microneedling is to stay hydrated, utilize calming products, and stay away from harsh treatments. Keep your skin out of the sun and have patience while it heals.
Consult a specialist after microneedling if there is significant irritation or scarring. Microneedling increases collagen production and improves skin texture when done properly.
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