Why does my skin look awful after microneedling?

Author: Adelle Kuphal  |  Last update: Sunday, October 12, 2025

This could be due to the shedding, swelling, or both. For some patients, some visible marks might be apparent, though these are typically light. No need to worry, because anything “off” you notice on your face after microneedling is temporary and will clear up in a few days.

Why do I look old after microneedling?

You might look older after microneedling because your skin is temporarily inflamed and shedding older layers.

How long does microneedling purging last?

Some breakouts after microneedling may be due to “skin purging” as impurities are brought to the surface. This is temporary and should resolve within a few days to weeks.

Can microneedling ruin skin texture?

In the days and weeks after microneedling, you might notice that your skin burns or feels tight. Some people also have dry, flaking skin that improves with moisturizer.

Does microneedling age your skin?

This medical procedure helps to prevent skin ageing by creating micro-punctures in it and stimulating its remodelling, resulting in the reduction of wrinkles, discolouration, and stretch marks.

Microneedling Aftercare - Do's and Don'ts for Best Results

How to fix microneedling damage on face?

5 AFTERCARE PRACTICES THAT CAN ENHANCE THE RESULTS OF YOUR MICRONEEDLING TREATMENT
  1. Avoid Skin Care Products Containing Strong Active Ingredients After the Treatment. ...
  2. Use A Mild Cleanser Or Moisturizer. ...
  3. Avoid Direct Sun Exposure. ...
  4. Keep The Treated Area Clean To Avoid Infection.

What are the symptoms of bad microneedling?

Skin damage is a risk that commonly occurs with microneedling devices. The damage may include bleeding, bruising, redness, tightness, itching and peeling, and these typically go away without any treatment after a few days or weeks.

What does skin purging look like?

In other words, when you use certain products, your skin is likely to look worse before it looks better. A purge can look like blackheads and whiteheads, and it's likely to appear in the places where you normally break out.

Why am I breaking out so much after microneedling?

The skin's natural response to the micro-wounds might include inflammation, which can temporarily heighten the appearance of acne.

Why does my pigmentation look worse after microneedling?

There is a chance that microneedling post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur in some individuals. This happens as a response to the way that the skin heals, leading to an overproduction of melanin in the treated areas.

What is the average price of a microneedling session?

The average cost of microneedling in the US is about $640 per session, according to over 300 patient experiences on RealSelf. This can vary between $300 to $700, however, depending on: Your location: Prices may be higher in major cities or upscale clinics.

How long does it take for skin to look good after microneedling?

What to Expect Weeks After Microneedling. SkinPen® is an effective treatment option that creates results that continue to improve over time. Within a few days of treatment, patients will begin to see brighter, glowing skin and full results will appear within two to four weeks after treatment.

Why do I look older after microneedling?

In the short term, lines can appear worse for the first few days after a treatment due to transepidermal water loss (TEWL). You can reassure your clients that any wrinkle that develops quickly is not due to loss of structural integrity and it is temporary.

What is the best thing to put on skin after microneedling?

What to Put On Your Skin After Microneedling
  • Avoid harsh scrubs or products.
  • Only clean your skin with a professionally formulated cleanser.
  • Apply targeted skincare serums that will penetrate deeply into your skin.
  • Keep your skin well-hydrated with a gentle moisturizer.
  • Apply medical-grade sun protection.

How do you maximize microneedling results?

Microneedling Aftercare Tips
  1. Boosting progress with supplements.
  2. Avoiding intense activities.
  3. Staying out of hot showers and baths.
  4. Letting the skin rest before further treatments.
  5. Not wearing makeup.
  6. Protecting your skin from the sun.
  7. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol.

What does tretinoin purge look like?

Skin purging is common, but doesn't necessarily happen to everyone. In fact some people don't experience it at all. For those of us who do suffer from purging, it can look like: breaking out in pustules (pimples), the appearance of flaky, peeling skin, irritation and dry patches.

Is my skin purging or reacting badly?

Purging often results in whiteheads and small raised red bumps on the skin, known as papules. True breakouts are more likely to induce nodules or cysts - larger, swollen, painful pimples that feel like knots under the skin. Purging usually appears where acne is common, like the forehead, cheeks, and chin.

What does vitamin C purging look like?

Skin purging can show itself as red bumps, whiteheads and blackheads on the face. In addition, it causes dead skin cells to surface, which results in flakiness and dryness. These signs can also indicate your skin is getting accustomed to a product.

Why does my face look bad after microneedling?

Common Side Effects of Microneedling

The procedure causes short-term redness, swelling, and skin flaking, often lasting a few days. You should call your doctor immediately if you notice more severe side effects, such as bruising, bleeding, peeling, and infection.

Does microneedling make skin look worse at first?

Sometimes skin can look slightly swollen after microneedling. This is due to the natural and mechanical injury of the treatment. Degree of swelling (if any) will depend on skin sensitivity and the aggressiveness of the treatment. When swelling does occur, it is subtle and subsides in about three days.

How often should I microneedle my face?

Microneedling results are relatively easy to maintain, and the best way to keep the skin looking its best after treatment is with regular appointments. Most people can sustain their results with an appointment every six months to preserve the effects of collagen production.

Why does skin purge after microneedling?

Skin purging is often the result of introducing ingredients like retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, PHA, chemical peels, Microneedling and even lasers that can kickstart your skin's cell renewal and bring all the debris under your skin to the surface, which, in the short term, can cause breakouts and redness.

How often do I apply hyaluronic acid after microneedling?

We recommend our Hyaluronic Acid Serum or Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar, available for purchase. It is important to apply every 3 hours for the first 24 hours after the microneedling. These can also be continued twice a day for the first week.

Why is microneedling not working?

The skin needs time to heal properly to produce more collagen and elastin. It's recommended to microneedle every 4-6 weeks. If you microneedle more frequently than this, you can worsen the skin issues you wish to fix.

Previous article
Does Preparation H work for eye bags?
Next article
Is My hair Dry or over conditioned?