Microneedling Aftercare: Caring For Your Skin After Microneedling

By Daisy Jing

To get the most results out of your microneedling treatment, it's important to follow the right aftercare post microneedling.  Here's a guide on how to take care of your skin after microneedling so you'll have great results after your session! 

What's Microneedling?

Microneedling is an effective method to treat acne scars, fine lines, dark spots, stretch marks and enlarged pores by replenishing lost collagen in the skin.  

Microneedling has several benefits like softening scars and fine lines.   According to board certified dermatologist Dr. Davin Lim practicing at Cutis Clinic in Australia, "Microneedling creates controlled microinjuries in the upper layers of skin, this in turn creates a cascade of cytokines of growth factors that seep down to the deeper layers of skin. This stimulates collagen production."

Studies show that microneedling even without topical products can improve acne scars by at least 50%, however microneedling isn't recommended for keloid scars. 

Microneedling Aftercare 

What to expect right after microneedling:

During a microneedling session it's normal for the skin to turn a little red and flushed looking. Some people might have some minor itching sensation as the skin heals.  This goes away after a couple hours with at home microneedling and skin should return to normal and have a plumpness and glow to it after 8 hours. 

Professional microneedling downtime can take up to 3-4 days for the redness to go away.

Tip:  Microneedle no more than once per week at home, depending on your device type and length of the needles.  Results take time, so stay consistent at give it at least 3 months, although some people can see results sooner than that. 

1. Wear Sunscreen

Microneedling causes the skin to be more sensitive to the sun so reach for sun protection each day even if it is cloudy. 

During the day, apply at least SPF 30 or greater sunscreen to your skin.

A physical or mineral based sunscreen is recommended after microneedling since they are less irritating,  but any sunscreen is better than none. 

2. Don't Apply Makeup

We recommend you do not apply makeup right after microneedling because you don't want that seeping deeper into your skin.   If you use the Banisher tool, wait at least 8 hours to apply makeup.   For other tools wait at least 24 hours after before applying makeup. 

3. Avoid Pools, Saunas, and Ocean Water

You’ll also need to avoid swimming pools, saunas, and salt water at the beach, since they may have a lot of bacteria and the salt and chlorine can irritate your skin after microneedling.  With the Banisher tool, you can do these activities after 12-24 hours. 

4. Apply Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C serum is great after microneedling because it's a building block of collagen. Research shows applying vitamin c serum provides better results compared to microneedling without vitamin c. 

Look for a vitamin c serum that has a lower concentration of vitamin c to avoid excess irritation and patch test the serum first to make sure you don't react negatively to it.  

The Banish Serum is a vitamin c serum with a high amount of hydrating glycerin designed to be used after microneedling. 

5. Moisturize Skin

Microneedling can lead to dry skin when the skin barrier is temporarily disrupted. 

Use a gentle moisturizer to keep skin moisturized to promote healing.  Hyalauronic acid is also another non irritating option to keep skin moisturized.  

In general, keep your skincare routine gentle, hydrating, and minimal after microneedling.   

6. Avoid Retinol, Exfoliation, Fragrance

After microneedling, avoid products with:

• Retinol
• Exfoliating acids like AHA/BHAs, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Fragrances 

You can use them again after 24 hours. 

If your skin still feels sensitive, wait an additional day before resuming these products and use your best judgement. 

7. Space Out Aggressive Treatments

Avoid doing chemical peels,  laser treatments, or microdermabrasion too close to your microneedling sessions because we want to give skin a chance to fully heal and build collagen. 

Doing too much can cause too much inflammation to the skin which can lead to more pigmentation or scarring.   

8. Do Microneedling At Night

A big reason we like microneedling at home is because you can do a session in the evening and not worry too much about activities that may cause negative results to the skin such as sun exposure.  

With at home microneedling, skin can recover by the next day so there are little to no interruptions to your routine and you can wear makeup again the next morning.   

Quick Microneedling Aftercare Tips Recap

• Wear SPF daily
• No makeup for 8 hours
• Avoid pools and saltwater
• Use a gentle Vitamin C serum
• Hydrate with a gentle moisturizer
• Avoid strong actives like retinol or exfoliation for 24-48 hours
  

Not only will proper aftercare give better results, but you’ll also be protecting your skin from damage as it heals.

Results will still vary from person to person so it requires patience and consistency, but most likely you'll see good results within a couple months.

 

References:

 

1. Singh A, Yadav S. Microneedling: Advances and widening horizons. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2016 Jul-Aug;7(4):244-54. doi: 10.4103/2229-5178.185468. PMID: 27559496; PMCID: PMC4976400.

2.  Iriarte C, Awosika O, Rengifo-Pardo M, Ehrlich A. Review of applications of microneedling in dermatology. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017 Aug 8;10:289-298. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S142450. PMID: 28848356; PMCID: PMC5556180.

3. Alster, Tina S. M.D.; Li, Monica Ka Yi M.D.. Microneedling of Scars: A Large Prospective Study with Long-Term Follow-Up. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 145(2):p 358-364, February 2020. | DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000006462