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.
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.
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.
Additional Microneedling Aftercare Precautions
To ensure the proper healing environment, do NOT use any Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Beta Hydroxy Acid, Retinol (Vitamin A), Vitamin C (in a low pH formula) scrubs or anything perceived as “active” skincare for one week post treatment.
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.
Microneedling is a more effective and permanent treatment option for comedonal acne compared with tretinoin. Patients' satisfaction with the improvement in acne severity is also higher with microneedling procedure.
Retinol and tretinoin are both retinoids, which means they are compounds that come from vitamin A. They're both commonly used in topical creams to treat a number of skin conditions. Though they're similar, tretinoin is more concentrated than retinol.
Vitamin C pairs wonderfully with nano-needling though, so definitely try to include this ingredient into your routine without any risk of irritation.
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).
The short answer is yes; you absolutely can use niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together. In fact, this combination can offer a double-whammy of skin hydration as well as a number of other benefits.
Conclusion: Microneedling with topical vitamin C is an effective and safe treatment option for epidermal melasma especially in Fitzpatrick skin phototypes I-III.
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.
As a general rule of thumb, microneedling treatment can be safely done about once a month or every 4 to 6 weeks.
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.
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.
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.
Avoid exfoliants, retinols, and vitamin C
Avoid any skin care product that contains harsh chemicals meant to exfoliate. Avoid anything that's scented, and don't use glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). Retinol and vitamin C serum should be avoided for at least the first 48 hours after microneedling.
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.
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.
We recommend moisturizing your face in the morning so your face feels comfortable and hydrated all day. If you have naturally dry skin, you should moisturize your skin twice daily. Gentle moisturizers that won't irritate your skin include Aquaphor, Cetaphil and Vaseline.
Your results will last anywhere from three to five months, and many patients schedule follow-up treatments twice a year to maintain their results. Taking good care of your skin through a conscientious at-home beauty routine can help preserve your results.
You MUST NOT pick, scratch or use any exfoliant (gentle exfoliation may be allowed after 3-5 days) as this may damage the new skin and introduce bacteria leading to skin infections. Avoid using any skincare that contains AHA, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid or Retinoic Acid (eg Retin A) for 3-5 days.