You will want to refrain from using abrasive skincare products, such as retinol, exfoliants, topical antibiotics and acids, for at least 48 hours before microneedling. It is crucial to avoid harmful UV ray exposure from direct sunlight and tanning beds for the five days before your treatment.
Avoid exfoliants, retinols, and vitamin C
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.
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.
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.
As a general rule of thumb, microneedling treatment can be safely done about once a month or every 4 to 6 weeks.
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.
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.
Vitamin C pairs wonderfully with nano-needling though, so definitely try to include this ingredient into your routine without any risk of irritation.
As far as washing your face after microneedling goes, you should only use lukewarm water for the first 48 hours. On days two and three, it's safe to cleanse with a gentle, non-exfoliating face wash. Make sure to apply the product using light, circular hand motions, and don't use a facial cleansing brush.
Other cosmetic treatments you should avoid include physical exfoliation, which may irritate your skin prior to treatment, and chemical peels. You should avoid chemical peels in the two weeks leading up to your treatment because chemical peels irritate your skin and often include vitamin A derivatives.
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 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.
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.
After Microneedling Treatment
Wait at least four hours to wash your face. Your skin may feel warm and tight and look red for one to three days. During this period, use a delicate cleanser and moisturizer, and apply 1% hydrocortisone cream as needed to soothe skin irritation.
Because of the PRF in combination with the microneedling, DO NOT take any: Anti-inflammatory medications such as; Aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Naproxen, or Meloxicam, for at least 1 week post-procedure (2 weeks is optimal!) Antihistamines such as: Benadryl, Claritin, Allegra, or Zyrtec, etc.
Since Botox and microneedling are both non-surgical procedures, it's safe to get both treatments done in the same treatment areas on the same day. However, waiting until the neurotoxin has already “settled” helps clients achieve better results because there's less chance of bleeding and bruising on the skin.
Micro-needling can be safely repeated every 2-4 weeks until you achieve the desired results. For collagen induction, we recommend starting with 3 treatments, but with a minimum separation time of 2 weeks between treatments. For scar reduction, an average of 6 treatments are recommended.
Fine Lines and Loose Skin
This happens because our bodies produce less collagen over time, taking away our skin's structure. This is most noticeable in sagging skin, but it's the reason behind wrinkles and uneven skin texture too.
It is a good idea to start this type of treatment in your 20's or 30's so that the boost in collagen production is more significant. This is going to train the skin to produce collagen regularly and keep your skin looking younger longer.
Microneedling can cause bleeding so it may not be suitable for people with clotting or bleeding disorders, or who take medicine to thin their blood. You may want to avoid microneedling if you have conditions that affect your skin, such as eczema or diabetes, or if you have a weakened immune system.
One week following treatment: Most of our patients will notice improvements in their skin just one short week after treatment. Initial results usually include improved skin tone, a reduction in acne visibility, and improved skin texture.
Microneedling does a tremendous job of lightening and reversing hyperpigmentation and sun damage. This is again due to the power of collagen production and its ability to repair and restore your skin. There's some research that suggests that microneedling is the most effective therapy for sun spots.
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.