acne scars

What Skincare Can I Use After Microneedling?

microneedling

Do you know what skincare products you can use and have to avoid after going through the microneedling process?

Microneedling is a collagen boosting treatment recommended by dermatologists and is an excellent way to treat acne scars,  but the products you use after the microneedling will affect the results. 

We'll share the skincare products you can use after microneedling and ones you have to avoid after microneedling

But before we move further to that, let me give you a review of what microneedling is.

WHAT IS MICRONEEDLING?

Microneedling is a process where several sterile microneedles are pressed onto the skin. Microneedling can be done either in office or at home with shorter length microneedles.  

The practice dates back to 1995 but has gained significant traction in recent years thanks to social media and further research showing microneedling's effectiveness on treating acne scars. 

“Microneedling in some form has been practiced for more than 20 years. “As the devices have gotten more powerful and adjunctive therapies like Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) have developed, microneedling has become a greater part of the skin care practices of most aesthetic professionals.” – Dr. Manish Shah, plastic surgeon in Denver, Colorado

Why microneedling?

Microneedling involves using fine needles to prick your skin and create tiny holes to produce or increase collagen. Whether the process hurts or not depends on your pain tolerance.

How Does Microneedling Work?

Benefits of Microneedling

  • Eliminates fine lines, wrinkles or loose skin
  • Prevents formation of dark spots
  • Reduces hyperpigmentation
  • Increase the skin’s collagen
  • Repairs skin damage
  • Reduces acne scars
  • Lessens appearance of stretch marks

Microneedling also works by treating burn scars, surgical scars, sun damage, melasma, sagging skin, large pores due to collagen loss, and hair loss by triggering collagen and elastin synthesis.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, microneedling works best for depressed — not raised — acne scars. This has to do with the collagen-inducing effects. If you have raised acne scars, you already have excess collagen in the area - although microneedling could help break down that scar tissue, as long as you don't have keloid scars.

Microneedling is one of the most effective treatments that can help you resolve several skin issues at the same time. 

PRODUCTS TO USE AFTER MICRONEEDLING

The skincare you use post microneedling is important, given that your skin may be sensitized after microneedling, especially if you've had it done in a clinic. The microneedling process may cause a temporary injury to your skin’s barrier, making it more vulnerable to potentially sensitizing ingredients such as fragrance, acids and retinoids.

Here are a few skincare products to use after a microneedling treatment:

  • Gentle ( not too high PH )  & natural vitamin c 
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • Peptides
  • Ceramides
  • Mineral sunscreen
  • Gentle hydrating products

 

1) Vitamin C combined with microneedling is shown to heal acne scars.  Strong vitamin c serums can be irritating so use a gentle one like the Vitamin C Serum or Creme from Banish. 

2) Hyaluronic Acid - Hyaluronic acid is the ultimate ingredient to look out for and apply post-microneedling. Hyaluronic acid is naturally produced by the body. Given that hyaluronic acid is a hydrating ingredient that replenishes skin, it’s just what the derm ordered, and the microneedling process will optimize product absorption to maximize the action of any hyaluronic acid-based serum or treatment that you apply post microneedling.

3) Peptides - Peptides are the amino acid chains that build up protein and other components of our skin.  “Without peptides, skin doesn’t remain intact and the result is loss of firmness, appearance of wrinkles, texture changes, and skin that doesn’t bounce back as it once did.” – Paula Begoun

4) Ceramides - Ceramides can help protect skin after potential barrier damage from microneedling.  Ceramides make up 50 per cent of the uppermost layer of your skin and are the fatty acids that help to both keep the skin barrier intact and help it to hold onto moisture/

5} Mineral sunscreen. Mineral sunscreens are more gentle than chemical sunscreens and will help protect your skin from UV damage as it is healing from microneedling.   

 6) Gentle Hydrating Products -  After microneedling, your skin will probably dryer as it is repairing, so applying moisturizer is great for helping skin.  

PRODUCTS TO WATCH OUT FOR

While there are products that can help with your skin after microneedling, there are also certain products that you need to avoid.

Products to avoid after microneedling

  • Retinol
  • Makeup
  • Strong exfoliating acids

1) Retinol - Vitamin A and its derivatives may be one of the only concretely proven rejuvenating skin care ingredients out there, but retinol is potent, and can be irritating. Approach with caution as far as using it after microneedling goes.  

2) Makeup – You need to allow at least 24 hours after going through a microneedling treatment before you could apply makeup again since you wouldn't want these potential pore clogging or skin irritating ingredients sinking deeper into the skin. 

3) Strong exfoliating products - Use your exfoliating products that contain AHA’s like lactic, glycolic, or mandelic acids either the day before you want to derma roll or microneedle, and at least 2 days after a session with the Banisher.  Acids like Vitamin C can potentially be sensitizing too for some people, so you should use one that is natural or formulated to be gentle to avoid irritation. 

 

BEST SKINCARE PRODUCTS FOR MICRONEEDLING AFTER CARE

Banish has your microneedling aftercare needs including the Banish Oil, Banish Vitamin C Crème.

1) Banish Oil - The Banish Oil is a natural Vitamin C Serum formulated without silicones, or dyes. Made with the most potent form of Vitamin C: L-ascorbic acid that is effective, yet in a concentration that is not likely to cause much irritation. The Banish Oil hydrates dry skin with a humectant glycerin base. 

How To Use: Apply 2-4 drops daily and pat into clean skin. Can be applied after using the Banisher. Best used in the evening. Store in a dark cool area.

2) Banish Vitamin C Creme - Our Vitamin C Creme is a light plant based hydrating cream concentrated with 20% of a stable form of Vitamin C to reverse dark spots and skin damage. It can help reduce the appearance of dark marks, firm skin, improves evenness of skin tone and hydrates your skin without leaving a filmy, heavy or greasy residue.

Apply a small pea sized dab daily on clean skin and massage in.

Does microneedling damage the skin?

The mechanism of microneedling is utilizing human skins’ natural reactions to micro-wounds, healing, and producing collagen, to improve acne scars and fine lines. Since it’s all based on the reversible nature of human skin, with the proper method of application, microneedling does not cause long term damage to the skin. The microchannels were created to heal and close up within a couple of hours. 

Who can try microneedling?

What’s more is that microneedling is less expensive than laser treatments and may work better for people with dark skin.

 There are several different sizes of microneedles in the market. Each length has a different function. Longer needles (1 mm or longer) are usually used in professional microneedling treatments since they are more dangerous and can reach the deeper levels of skin that contain nerves and blood vessels so it's best for a professional to use those tools. 

Applying the right skin care products and knowing which ones to avoid after microneedling will help improve your skin heal and get the greatest benefits after going through a microneedling process.

Have you had microneedling done before? 

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1 comment

Maureen Parkinson

Maureen Parkinson

How long after using the Banisher should I wait before using the retinol ceramide serum?
Also, how long after till I can use the pumpkin enzyme mask?
Thank you

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