Knowing which serums to use after microneedling and when to apply them for the best results can be challenging. This article explains the science underlying the healing process as well as the best items to use the following microneedling for the best results.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ The main advantage of microneedling is that it makes the skin texture better.
✅ If you don’t adhere to the post-micro-needling protocol described, your skin may become worse off.
✅ It’s normal to experience certain adverse effects after microneedling surgery.
✅ Most of the redness you notice after microneedling will go away in 48 hours,
Your blood circulation is stimulated by the minimally invasive cosmetic technique of microneedling. Usually, it’s done to make scars look better and produce more collagen. In a clinical setting, the preparation and technique for microneedling take many hours.
The essential aftercare following the treatment is something that isn’t frequently discussed. Your skin is really punctured during microneedling, therefore you must take precautions to safeguard the skin barrier as it heals.
You still need to take additional care of your skin in the days following microneedling, even if you do it at home. To find out more about what to anticipate after microneedling and how to care for your skin afterward, keep reading.
What are the advantages of microneedling?
The main advantage of microneedling is that it makes the skin texture better. It accomplishes this by promoting collagen, which is excellent for skin renewal. As a result, it can aid in resolving several important skin issues. The following benefits of microneedling:
- Reduce the appearance of stretch marks
- diminish acne scars
- address ultraviolet (UV) damage, such as hyperpigmentation and age spots
- constrict pores
- brighten skin
- and address acne scarring.
Your skin goes through a phase known as the “Haemorrhage Phase”.
1 to 10 minutes after receiving a microneedling treatment.
Your nutrient-rich blood is currently racing to all of the newly formed microchannels. Serotonin, prostaglandin, and other inflammatory chemicals are released to aid in coagulation, or clotting, a process that the blood’s proteins and platelets trigger in order to encourage skin healing.
1 to 4 days after microneedling,
Your blood’s platelets secrete growth factors and cytokines during this phase. These cells control inflammation and carry out our skin’s inborn ability to mend itself. In this stage, the microchannels you’ve made in your skin are also drawing in neutrophils and macrophages.
They labor arduously to keep you safe from contamination and other issues; they are in charge of maintaining the space clean and eliminating any harmful bacteria. These microchannels also draw our favorite cells of all. They are known as fibroblasts, and they are in charge of making collagen.
Following microneedling, moderate swelling, flaking, and peeling are typical reactions. It’s important to keep the skin hydrated at this stage because it will lessen any tightness or flaking you may feel. Always consult your doctor if you are feeling uncomfortable. Even though complications are uncommon, it’s best to be safe and seek professional advice if you have any worries.
Stages of microneedling healing How to prepare
It’s normal to experience certain adverse effects after microneedling surgery. Your skin may be flushed or bright red as you leave your session, giving the impression that you have had a mild to moderate sunburn all day.
Most of the redness you notice after microneedling will go away in 48 hours, according to a reliable source. Peeling and breakouts may take a little longer to go away than other symptoms. The majority of the visible healing following microneedling takes place in the first couple of days, but healing will continue beneath the skin’s surface for up to two months afterward.
There isn’t much you can do to get rid of the redness right away after microneedling, even with proper aftercare. Up to 48 hours following the surgery, swelling is common. Following microneedling, flaking or peeling is also fairly typical.
Although not everyone will experience them, additional adverse effects from microneedling include pimples, acne, and dry skin. Side effects can be reduced by using gentle cleansers and moisturizers on your skin. Fortunately, compared to some other cosmetic treatments, the anticipated post-microneedling downtime is quite brief.
Days 4 to 14 after microneedling: the proliferation and fibroblastic phase
By this stage, growth factors and fresh skin cells are being produced by the fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen.
Other cells are healing the microchannels, regenerating tissue, and restoring the layers of the dermis while the fibroblasts are busy delivering new collagen to your skin. During this phase, your cells are extremely active, repairing your skin and bringing fresh collagen to the surface.
14th day of the maturative phase and beyond
These devoted, collagen-producing fibroblast cells create the framework for your new collagen throughout this phase. It is crucial to support the collagen with a strong structural network since this enables your skin to sustain a regular cycle of tissue remodeling and repair. At this point, you’ll see a noticeable light!
If you do not adhere to the protocols, what happens?
If you don’t adhere to the post-micro-needling protocol described above, your skin may suffer more harm.
Chemical burns or granulomas can develop if active substances like Vitamins A and C are applied too early in the healing process.
A chemical burn occurs when an irritant, such as an acid or a base, comes into contact with your skin and causes an unfavorable reaction. The surface of the skin or deeper within the body may react to these irritants. By not taking your vitamins A, C, and other active substances too soon in the healing process, you can prevent chemical burns.
Infection is the root cause of chronic inflammation, which results in granulomas. When chemicals enter the skin too early in the healing process after microneedling, it results in granulomas, which are effectively a persistent rash. It might be possible to eliminate the granuloma, depending on how it develops.
Granulomas are incredibly uncommon, but it’s important to remember that if you don’t follow the post-micro-needling aftercare instructions, you could permanently harm your skin.
The majority of trustworthy sources advise applying hyaluronic acid, or HA, serum both during and after microneedling. Hyaluronic acid is less likely to be rejected or create an unfavorable reaction because it already exists naturally in our bodies.
Tips for aftercare
On how to proceed following microneedling, your doctor should provide you with specific recommendations. You should carefully follow the recommendations because they may be dependent on your medical history or skin type.
Sunscreen use
In general, for the first two weeks following microneedling, you should continuously reach for sunscreen. In the days following your treatment, remember to wear sunscreen whenever you are outside.
For the first week following your microneedling operation, avoid spending a lot of time in the sun because you’ll be more susceptible to sun damage.
Avoid getting sick
To prevent infection, apply any topical antibiotic cream that your doctor recommends. Before touching your face, wash your hands. In the first 24 hours after microneedling, avoid applying makeup, especially with brushes that have already been used.
You should also stay away from hot environments like saunas, swimming pools, and intensive workouts at the gym if you want to protect your skin. You could resume these activities when 72 hours have passed.
Useful and harmful skin care products
Following your microneedling process, there are a few things to be mindful of in the initial days.
Avoid using retinol, vitamin C, and exfoliants.
Any skin care product with abrasive ingredients intended to exfoliate should be avoided. Don’t use glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy acids, and stay away from anything that has a fragrance (AHAs).
After microneedling, retinol and vitamin C serum should be avoided for at least the first 48 hours.
If you use products with potent anti-aging ingredients, you may want to gradually add items back into your regular beauty routine after two complete days have passed rather than performing your typical regimen.
Options for moisturizers and cleaners
Your dermatologist should be consulted before using any cleansers, toners, or scrubs in the two to three days following microneedling to ensure that the components won’t exacerbate any side effects. Following microneedling, hyaluronic acid can be used, and in some circumstances, it’s even advised to help stimulate the formation of collagen.
Applying coconut oil as an emollient to seal in moisture and moisturize your face after microneedling is generally safe if your skin feels dry. Dry skin can be cleaned with diluted, alcohol-free witch hazel. It is important to stick with natural, safe products that you are already familiar with.
How soon may makeup be applied after microneedling?
One of the worst things you can do is apply makeup to cover up the redness since it will clog the pores on your newly exposed skin and may even result in outbreaks. As the redness fades, you’ll need to be patient, but in the interim, you can apply mild, odorless creams made of natural components to obtain some relief.
Before applying makeup, you should ideally wait at least 48 hours following microneedling. The skin has time to heal as a result.
When should I go and visit a doctor?
The procedure of microneedling is typically regarded as being low risk. Sometimes, side effects might become severe and demand medical treatment. A fever exceeding 100.4°F (38°C), nausea, hives, yellow or green discharge, bleeding, and headache are among the symptoms to watch out for. Microneedling can result in infections, most frequently when improperly sanitized devices are used on your skin. Another possible side effect of microneedling is an allergic reaction to the needles.
Here are some answers to the most common questions like when can I use vitamin C? When can I use retinol? And when can I reintroduce every other serum, cream, lotion, moisturizer, mask, and activities, are the most frequently asked questions from microneedling enthusiasts. The frequently asked questions are addressed below.
What serum ought I apply following microneedling?
After microneedling, hyaluronic acid serums should be used. To moisturize and nourish the skin after microneedling, use this from day 1 through day 14. Hyaluronic acid, toners, or moisturizers with a basis of green tea extract, Vitamin E, kiwi oil, and linseed oil can be applied to the skin after one to four days.
Is Vitamin C Safe to Use After Microneedling?
After your microneedling procedure, you can start administering Vitamin C again at least seven days later. In order to prevent the skin from reacting to the strong, active element in vitamin C during this time, it is also advised to use a diluted form of the vitamin.
Our Vitamin C Serum, which is composed of half vitamin C and half hyaluronic acid, is a good illustration of diluted vitamin C. This mixture is moisturizing and brightening.
Is Almond Oil Safe to Use After Microneedling?
In theory, you can begin using almond oil 4 days after your microneedling procedure. During the Inflammatory and Proliferation phases, we do advise sticking to a hyaluronic acid product if you’re utilizing the oil for hydration and nourishment. The natural HA that your body produces when it is healing is supported when you use a HA serum, so your body is less likely to react negatively to it.
Aloe Vera Gel After Microneedling: Is It Safe?
In theory, you can begin using aloe vera gel four days after your microneedling procedure. Again, a HA serum will aid and is recommended if you’re searching for hydration and to reduce any inflammation.
After microneedling, how should you wash your face?
Approximately 4 days following your microneedling procedure, you can resume cleansing your skin with a mild cleanser. We advise merely washing with tepid water for the first one to four days following your treatment. This prevents any potential irritants from causing your skin to respond.
What’s a good schedule for safe microneedling?
Every four to six weeks, microneedling can be carried out without risk. You can nanoneedle in between microneedling sessions. One week following your final microneedling session, you can begin weekly nano needling.
When derma rolling is included in the equation, things can become a little murky. The 4 to 6-week rule applies to microneedling, which is defined as derma rolling that is deeper than 0.5mm. It can be used once every two weeks if it is less than 0.5mm deep.
In conclusion
The results of your treatment might be greatly affected by how well you take care of your skin following microneedling. In addition to relieving your symptoms, good aftercare will shield your skin from harm as it recovers.
Don’t be hesitant to ask questions before and after your session, and adhere as carefully as you can to any directions given by your healthcare provider.