Microneedling Aftercare Advice for the Best Results
Also classed as collagen induction therapy, microneedling is a minimally invasive skin treatment that is used to encourage collagen production and help stimulate the skin's healing process.
As microneedling punctures your skin, it’s super important that you take the necessary steps to prepare for the treatment, ensuring your skin is in a calm state prior.
In the same breath, it’s equally important to follow the necessary aftercare steps to protect your skin’s barrier as it heals, as your skin will be much more sensitive after the treatment. This is why we’ve rounded up 6 of the most important pieces of aftercare advice for the best possible results following your microneedling treatment.
Here are 6 pieces of advice for microneedling aftercare:
- Follow the advice of your aesthetic practitioner
- Avoid sun exposure
- Gently cleanse and moisturise
- Avoid makeup
- Avoid sweating
- Stay hydrated and take supplements
1. Follow the Advice of Your Aesthetic Practitioner
It goes without saying that in order for the most effective healing process and the best results, you must follow the advice of your microneedling aesthetic practitioner.
As your practitioner is a trusted professional, they will know the microneedling treatment inside out, and will therefore have the best advice regarding aftercare.
In addition to this, you should also keep in touch with them should you have any questions, and especially if you have any concerns following your treatment.
If training in microneedling sounds like something you’re interested in, you’re in the right place! Learn more about our microneedling training courses here and book onto our next class.
2. Avoid Sun Exposure
One of the most important pieces of aftercare advice we can give you is to stay out of the sun directly after your aesthetic treatment, and for 48 hours post-procedure. And the same goes for sunbeds!
Microneedling creates thousands of tiny micro-injuries in the skin, which can in turn, make your skin much more sensitive to sunlight. Having direct exposure to UV rays can increase the risk of sunburn, irritation, inflammation and premature ageing, which we do NOT want.
In addition, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a common concern after procedures like microneedling, especially for those with darker skin tones. Exposure to UV radiation can intensify this risk, leading to uneven hyper pigmentation and darkening of the skin.
How to Protect Your Skin After Microneedling
As a general rule, you must wear a high physical defence spf (30+) on your face whenever you are exposed to the sun, for the first 2 weeks after microneedling. Sun cream should be worn everyday regardless, but it is extra important that you protect your sensitive and healing skin from sun damage during the recovery process.
3. Gently Cleanse & Moisturise
When it comes to skincare, your practitioner should provide you with a skin care regimen to help soothe, calm and protect the skin.
Generally speaking, you shouldn’t wash your face at all during the first 72 hours. After that, you can gently cleanse the skin to remove the flaky dead skin that typically forms after treatments like this.
Make sure the cleanser you use is gentle on your skin and only use lukewarm water. It’s also important that you avoid any face brushes for at least 1 week after the treatment.
You can use a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturiser after the treatment to keep your skin hydrated. But remember to avoid any products containing harsh chemicals, fragrances, or active ingredients like retinoids or alpha acids for the first few days. You should also avoid alcohol-based toners for 10-14 days, as these can irritate the skin.
A good tip is to use a hydrating and cooling face mask to give your skin a soothing break. This can also help with any inflammation, as long as it's a gentle/mild mask, with no harsh ingredients.
4. Avoid Makeup
It also goes without saying that makeup must be avoided for at least 24-48 hours after getting the treatment done. You need to let your skin breathe, and as the skin channels will be open, applying makeup will penetrate the open pores and cause further irritation.
Another thing you should avoid directly after microneedling is cosmetic tattooing, such as eyebrow microblading. This is because both microneedling and microblading involve creating tiny punctures or incisions in the skin, so having microblading shortly after microneedling increases the risk of introducing bacteria into the skin, leading to infection. It can also compromise the results of both treatments.
In the same sense, it’s advised that you avoid spray tanning or fake tanning creams for 2-3 weeks after the treatment. This is because not only do tanning products contain chemicals and dyes that can further irritate the skin, but they may interfere with the skin's natural healing process after microneedling.
5. Avoid Sweating
Another crucial piece of advice is to avoid activities that induce sweating for at least 24-48 hours post microneedling. This allows the healing process to do its thing and minimise the risk of complications.
Remember, sweat contains salt and bacteria, which can enter the micro-injuries caused by microneedling and increase the risk of infection.
How to Avoid Excessive Sweating on Your Face:
- Avoid having a bath for 1 day, and don’t have a long bath or shower during the first week of your recovery
- Avoid spas and saunas
- Skip the gym
- Avoid intensive house chores (great excuse, right?)
Excessive sweating can introduce dirt, oil, and bacteria to the treated area, leading to inflammation, redness, or even infection.
6. Stay Hydrated & Take Supplements
Hydration plays a crucial role in the body's natural healing process, which is why you must stay hydrated following the treatment.
After microneedling, the skin needs plenty of moisture to repair itself, regenerate new tissue, and heal properly, and therefore getting in enough hydration will ensure that the skin has the necessary resources to recover effectively.
Hydration is also essential for collagen synthesis, which is essential for improving skin texture, elasticity, and firmness, all of which are targeted outcomes of microneedling. Proper hydration supports the body's ability to produce collagen, enhancing the results of the treatment.
It’s also a good idea to take oral supplements that can help benefit the skin and improve the result of treatment. These might include Vitamin C, Zinc, Omega 3 and Glucosamine.
And there we have it! We hope this article has helped your understanding of microneedling aftercare.
If you’re interested in expanding your skillset as an aesthetic practitioner, look no further than You Can Clinic. We offer a range of training courses, including Botulinum Toxin, Microneedling & Dermaplaning, Weight Management, Eyebrow and Eyelash, Chemical Peels, and PDO COG Threads.
Visit our website to book a course or contact a member of our team today at courses@youcanclinic.com or on 02921678747 to find out more.
You Can Clinic is one of the UK's leading providers of aesthetic training courses and pharmaceutical supplies. Over 1000 individuals have progressed through our affordable programmes, which provide comprehensive coverage of all relevant aesthetic procedures.
Written by Kate, for You Can Clinic.
