Microneedling is one of the most effective ways to smooth out acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, stretch marks, and boost collagen 1 but is it still a good idea to do it during the summer months?
The short answer is yes, you can microneedle in the summer and we address common concerns we've seen people have regarding microneedling in the summer and the best way to handle it.
Sun exposure and hyperpigmentation
After microneedling, your skin is more vulnerable to sun damage because the microneedling creates tiny micro-injuries in the skin. This jumpstarts your collagen production into turbo mode which is great for filling in acne scars, and fine lines, but you'll need to be careful of the sun.
The skin tones most at risk of getting post inflammatory hyperpigmentation are medium to deep skin tones.
However with proper sun protection tips below, microneedling is one of the best methods for healing acne scars without risks of excess pigmentation 2.
What to do:
- Wear a large brim hat outdoors
- Don't be stingy with the sunscreen. Fully cover skin with SPF 30 or higher during the day, and put sunscreen on 10 minutes before sun exposure.
- Reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours or after swimming.
Avoid sun exposure for at least 48 hours after microneedling, but for best long terms results it is important to avoid excess sun exposure daily.
Even indoor light near windows can affect healing skin, so make sun protection part of your daily routine.
Sweat, humidity, and the risk of irritation
Hot weather means more sweat, and sweat on freshly microneedled skin can lead to stinging on the skin and may increase risk of breakouts from sweat.
What to do:
If microneedling at home, do it in the evening when it isn't hot so your skin has time to recover by the next morning.
Avoid doing a hard workout right after microneedling. Stick to cool showers, and wear loose, breathable clothing to keep body heat down until your skin barrier is recovered the next day or two depending on how deep your microneedling session was.
Redness
It’s normal to have redness and a little dryness after microneedling, but in the summer, this can be more noticeable or feel more uncomfortable, especially if you’re already hot or spending more time outdoors.
What to do:
If your skin seems really red and dry stick with simple hydrating skincare products that don't have a super long ingredient list.
Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, panthenol, or centella asiatica to restore your skin barrier. Avoid actives like retinoids, exfoliants. And if your skin feels dry, avoid cosmetic or skincare products that have alcohol in it which could be drying.
Home microneedling with a reputable tool can also be a good alternatives to getting the benefits of microneedling but reducing the side effects. Redness will go away overnight when microneedling at home within a few minutes to a couple hours.
Timing around events or vacations
One of the most common concerns in summer is whether it’s worth getting microneedling before a beach trip, wedding, or vacation outing. Nobody wants to show up with red skin or feel like they have to stay inside.
What to do:
While in office microneedling has much longer side effects, you would need to try to schedule your appointment at least 7 days before any big plans.
Another great option is home microneedling. Microneedling at home can solve most of these summer concerns since the downtime is shorter so the skin recovers by the next morning and redness only lasts a few minutes to a couple hours.
Safest to use, creates controlled microinjuries and thinnest bristles on the market. Thicker needles can cause excess trauma leading to more scarring.
In Conclusion
Microneedling during the summer isn’t off-limits, but it does need a little more care especially regarding sun protection. If you’re consistent with sun protection, avoiding harsh ingredients, and give your skin enough time to heal, you can still get amazing results without setting your progress back by delaying your sessions.
Summer is a great time to invest in your skin, so you can continue to have your summer plans but still keep and continue your amazing results with microneedling.
References:
1. Hancu, G., & Rusu, A. (2024). Current Understanding of Microneedling Procedures for Acne Skin. Cosmetics, 11(6), 193. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/11/6/193
2. Al Qarqaz, F., & Al‐Yousef, A. (2018). Skin microneedling for acne scars associated with pigmentation in patients with dark skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12520
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