Microneedling Aftercare

What is microneedling?

Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that pricks your skin with tiny needles (usually somewhere between 0.5 to 2.5 millimeters in diameter). These needles are short and thin, so they only create superficial wounds to the outermost layer of the skin (the epidermis).

Microneedling encourages the body to produce more collagen. Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, and it helps support your body’s structure. For skin, the largest organ in the human body, collagen is responsible for your skin’s elasticity. As people age, they produce less collagen, which is why wrinkles appear. Regardless of age, when your skin is injured, the body will send more collagen to the area to help it heal better and stronger.

Microneedling has many benefits, such as:

• Minimizing pore size
• Reducing fine lines and wrinkles
• Lifting, tightening, and rejuvenating the skin
• Improving the appearance of scars, including acne scars, and sunspots
• Brightening skin tone

At Fountain Laser Center, we use the Rejuvapen microneedling system, which outperforms the traditional derma roller used in most microneedling treatments.

How do I take care of my face after microneedling?

Protect your skin from the sun

Microneedling leaves your skin more open and vulnerable after treatment, and this also means it’s more vulnerable to UV radiation from sunlight. In fact, sun exposure can hinder the results of microneedling.

When you go outside, you will need to apply sunscreen. For extra protection, consider wearing a sunhat or baseball cap. It’s a good idea to invest in a moisturizer with SPF protection, too.

Avoid irritants

You expose your skin to irritants more frequently than you may realize. Exfoliating creams and facial scrubs are irritants, and though they are fine to use in most cases, they should be avoided after a microneedling treatment. They can exacerbate the skin’s redness and cause more discomfort. Your skin is already undergoing the healing process after the treatment, so don’t make it do any more work on top of what it’s already doing.

You will also want to avoid facial masks and heavy creams — in general, it’s probably wise to take a break from your daily skincare routine for the first week or two following microneedling.

Wash and clean gently

When touching your face post-treatment, make sure your hands are clean by washing them with soap and warm water. As for washing your face, use a gentle cleanser and tepid water for the first 72 hours after treatment. Avoid using any electric cleansing products like Clarasonic for roughly a week after treatment.

Stay hydrated and moisturize

Staying hydrated is one very easy way to help your skin heal, so be sure to drink lots of water.

You can also hydrate your skin, which may feel dry following treatment, directly by applying moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid 24 to 48 hours after your microneedling session.

For the first 48 hours after treatment, avoid products that contain:

• Exfoliating chemicals (exfoliants)
• Retinol A
• Vitamin C serum
• Scents or perfumes (unscented products are highly recommended)
• Glycolic acid
• Alpha hydroxy acids

Once 2 full days have passed, you can slowly start adding skincare products back into your daily beauty routine, including makeup.

We encourage you to come with a list of the products you use on a daily basis so we can let you know whether or not it’s safe to use after treatment.

Follow aftercare instructions

The aftercare instructions you get from one medical professional who does microneedling might be different from another. There could be a number of reasons as to why they are different — the goal of your microneedling treatment changed; if your skin is dryer or oiler than usual; a change in recommended products; or an update to the technology used in microneedling; and so on. 

If your aftercare instructions are different than the ones you got from your last appointment, follow the new instructions. They are going to be more up to date and reflect any changes that have occurred since the last treatment session.

Don’t be afraid to ask any questions about the aftercare instructions. The staff at Fountain Laser Center are licensed estheticians with years of experience and are more than happy to clarify anything that is not clear or does not make sense. If you find yourself asking more questions once you leave the office, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 770-462-2849.

Schedule a microneedling appointment at Fountain Laser Center today

If you want your skin to look younger and healthier, contact Fountain Laser Center today to schedule an appointment for a microneedling session at one of our three convenient locations in Atlanta, Stockbridge, and Columbus, Georgia. We look forward to hearing from you soon!