Everything Patients Need to Know About Microneedling Aftercare
Microneedling offers amazing benefits for improving and keeping your skin beautiful, but like any good skin procedure there are important aftercare instructions that you will need to follow to get the most out of your skincare treatment.
Since microneedling creates micro wounds in the skin, patients cannot return to their normal skincare routines right away. In fact, immediately after your treatment, you will look as though you have a mild to moderate sunburn, and your skin may feel warm and tighter than usual. Keep in mind, these effects are normal and they typically subside within a few hours after treatment, but can take up to 24-48 hours for complete resolution.
Don’t worry: your skin professional will discuss post-procedure skincare following the treatment to help soothe, calm, and protect the skin. Continue to treat your skin gently for three days after microneedling, and avoid retinol, exfoliating ingredients, and sun exposure for the next week. After one week post-treatment, you may resume your normal skincare routine.
The “Do’s” of Microneedling Aftercare
At WIFH, we recommend each of our microneedling patients adhere to the following best practices to get the optimal results from each treatment.
Clean
Use a gentle cleanser and tepid water to cleanse the face for 72 hours post-treatment, and gently dry the treated skin. Always make sure your hands are clean when touching the treated area, and do not use a Clarisonic or other powered cleansing brushes for at least one week after your treatment.
Heal
We recommend serum antioxidants post-treatment, as its properties are ideal to help heal the skin by soothing and lessening irritation.
Hydrate
Following your treatment, your skin may feel drier than normal. Hyaluronic Acid is an ideal ingredient you can use to hydrate and restore the skin back to perfect balance.
Stimulate
In the days following your microneedling treatment, and as the skin starts to regenerate, collagen-stimulating peptides are ideal to maximize the effects of the stimulation already started by the microneedling.
Protect
Immediately after the procedure, your skin professional will apply a broad spectrum UVA/UVB, SPF 25 or greater sunscreen to your skin. We recommend a chemical-free sunscreen. Keep in mind that you should continue to use sunscreen everyday—not only the days following your procedure—as part of your skincare routine to protect your skin from sun damage and premature aging.
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The “Don’ts” of Microneedling Aftercare
Like other skin treatments, there are always certain activities and products patients should avoid following each microneedling procedure. Here are the things you don’t want to do:
Wear Makeup
We recommend you do not apply makeup for 24 to 72 hours after the microneedling procedure. After 72 hours, do not apply any makeup with a makeup brush, especially if the brush is not clean.
Expose Your Skin to the Sun
Avoid any intentional direct sunlight for a least one week post-microneedling treatment. This includes synthetic tanning beds. Be sure to always wear sunscreen before and after treatments.
Use These Products
To ensure the proper healing environment, for one week post-treatment, do NOT use any “active” skincare products or scrubs containing:
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids
- Beta Hydroxy Acid
- Retinol (Vitamin A)
- Vitamin C (in a low pH formula)
Go Swimming or Strenuously Exercise
Do not go swimming for at least 72 hours post-treatment, and do not exercise or participate in strenuous activity for the first 72 hours post-treatment. Sweating and gym environments in general are harmful and filled with bacteria, which may cause adverse reactions in your skin.
Optimize Your Results with WIFH’s Microneedling Treatment Kit
At WIFH, we provide a post-treatment skincare kit that we recommend using for 72 hours after your microneedling treatment for best results. Most facilities probably offer a similar treatment kit, but you may be required to purchase the kit, whereas our kit comes with the procedure.
The kit is made up of products made by iS Clinical, which are all available for purchase in our online store. The kit includes:
- Gentle Cleansing Complex (2 oz)
- SHEALD Recovery Balm (2 oz)
- Pro-Heal Serum Advance (0.12 oz)
- Hydra-Cool Serum (0.12 oz)
- Eclipse SPF 50+ (2 tubes – 0.35 oz each)
We also recommend the iS Clinical Copper Firming Mist, which is not included in the Post-Procedure Kit for patients receiving just one microneedling treatment. For WIFH patients purchasing a package of 4 microneedling treatments, you will receive a bottle of the iS Clinical Copper Firming Mist at your first treatment session.
Schedule a Consultation for Microneedling in Atlanta
We hope you have learned more about microneedling aftercare and what to expect after your SkinPen or RF microneedling treatment at WIFH! Visit our office for your free consultation to find out if microneedling is the right procedure to meet your skincare goals.
For more information about microneedling or to schedule a free consultation, contact us at WIFH.
