Do not use any harsh chemicals, including glycolic, alpha hydroxy, beta hydroxy, retinol, benzyl peroxide, salicylate/salicylic acid, or topical acne medicatios for 7-10 days following treatment.
Retinol and vitamin C serum should be avoided for at least the first 48 hours after microneedling. Once 2 full days have passed, you might want to gradually add products back into your daily beauty routine instead of doing your usual regimen, especially if you use products that have strong anti-aging formulas.
Microneedling Pre-Treatment Instructions
Do not use topical agents that may increase the sensitivity of your skin such as retinoids, exfoliants, topical antibiotics or acids 5-7 days prior to your treatment.
3-5 DAYS BEFORE PROCEDURE: Avoid topical products such as Tretinoin (Retin-A), Retinols, Retinoids, Glycolic Acid, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, Vitamin C, or any “anti-aging” products. Also, avoid waxing, bleaching, tweezing, or the use of hair removal cream on the area to be treated.
If you're in the habit of slathering your prescription or over-the-counter retinoid, retinol, or vitamin A cream on each night before bed, you'll need to leave it in the drawer for several days prior to your appointment.
You may resume prescription retinoid products (Retin A, Renova, Tretinoin, Avita, Alustra or other brands of Tretinoin and other prescription retinoid products (Adapalene, Avage, Differin, Tazorac, Tazarotene) 7-10 days after treatment or as instructed by your Esthetician.
Hyaluronic acid serums are the best and most commonly used type for microneedling because of their hydrating properties. Other great alternatives include peptides, ceramides, and EGF. Just make sure to avoid retinoids, Vitamin C, and other serums that contain acids (AHA, BHA, and lactic acid).
Vitamin C pairs wonderfully with nano-needling though, so definitely try to include this ingredient into your routine without any risk of irritation.
Microneedling with dermaroller causes collagen induction along with enhancing absorption of tretinoin cream. Fifteen percent TCA peel causes improvement in skin texture as well as collagen induction.
Do not take anything with Aspirin, Niacin, Vitamin E, Fish Oil, Gingko Biloba, Garlic, Ginseng, Dong Quai, Feverfew, St. John's Wort or Ibuprofen for at least 3 days before your appointment.
If your skin concern is aging, dullness, and wrinkles, niacinamide can be your best friend. It's basically vitamin B3, which helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, adds radiance, and increases firmness. Applying this to your skin after dermarolling will help it go deeper into your skin and work its magic.
Retinoids reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. They also stimulate the production of new blood vessels in the skin, which improves skin color. Additional benefits include fading age spots and softening rough patches of skin.
But can you use a vitamin C serum with a derma roller treatment? As it turns out, it's not a good idea. Because the active ingredient in vitamin C serum goes underneath the skin, it can drastically slow down the healing process from your derma roller treatments, and may even ruin the entire process altogether.
As a general rule of thumb, microneedling treatment can be safely done about once a month or every 4 to 6 weeks.
Clean your skin with a gentle pH-balanced cleanser, and then cleanse it again. You'll also want to gently wipe that 70 percent isopropyl alcohol directly on your face before you start rolling.
Discoloration caused by skin needling is rare, but can occur if the needle depth is 1.5 mm or deeper, and the procedure is done too frequently. This negligence can cause irritation in the skin which can be one possible cause to post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation.
Hyaluronic acid serums are some of the most effective products that you can put on freshly-rolled skin since its primary ingredient and its effects are extremely potent in helping in skin repair, even hours after treatment. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that's found in the body's connective tissue.
Conclusion: Microneedling with topical vitamin C is an effective and safe treatment option for epidermal melasma especially in Fitzpatrick skin phototypes I-III.
Using ingredients like glycolic acid, retinol and vitamin C too soon after microneedling can irritate your skin and prolong the healing process. For this reason, it is best to wait two to three days after a microneedling session to start using products with these ingredients again.
It's recommended that you use a serum (or some similar "priming" product) with a derma-roller. It acts as a buffer between the needles and your skin, and even increases the absorption.
Vitamin E is essential for wound repair after microneedling. Naturally occurring vitamin E is up to 50% more bio available than synthetic products. For this reason it is preferable to use products like green tea oil, with naturally available vitamin E after microneedling.
Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are water-based treatments that complement each other's hydrating effects and can be used together.
Hyaluronic acid serums should be used post-microneedling. Use this from days 1 to 14 after microneedling to hydrate and replenish the skin. After 1 to 4 days, you can apply hyaluronic acid, toners, or moisturisers with a base of green tea extract, Vitamin E, kiwi oil, and linseed oil to the skin.