Microneedling Aftercare: Maximize Microneedling Results
- Posted on: Feb 29 2024
Post-microneedling care is something that should be taken into consideration, but isn’t talked about enough. Microneedling generates new collagen production. This creates firm, smooth, toned skin that takes years of aging signs away.
Your recovery steps will look slightly different depending on which kind of microneedling treatment you choose. For example, when comparing Vivace to Morpheus8, Morpheus8 is much more aggressive. It will take your skin more effort to recover from an intense treatment, unlike Vivace, which is gentler.
No matter which treatment you go with, microneedling uses tiny needles to puncture the skin. That means you should prepare by knowing how to best protect your skin’s barrier as it heals.
Microneedling Recovery Timeline
Immediately after treatment, it’s normal for the skin to become flushed. Spot bleeding can happen during this time as well. Swelling and any potential rash start reducing after about 24 hours.
Days 1-3
It’s normal for the treated skin to have a sunburn effect. It will likely feel dry and tight. Be gentle with your skin. Give it at least four hours before washing your face – and when you do, use cool water and your hands. Gentle cleansers only, if you use any, and pat your face dry.
Days 2-5
Swelling tends to disappear around this time, depending on how aggressive of a treatment you choose. This is when peeling can start because the skin will flake as skin cells regenerate. Do not pick at the skin, or scrub it to try to remove the flakes. Instead, keep the area moisturized as it heals.
Days 5-7
Once your skin isn’t irritated, you’re free to resume your regular skincare routine. Most patients notice continued improvement for months to come as the treatment works with your body. From pigmentation issues to lines, wrinkles, and scarring, microneedling results address many concerns.
You can choose to add more microneedling sessions every 4-6 weeks so the results continue to build on themselves.
Microneedling Side Effects
After any microneedling treatment, you can expect your skin to be red. It’ll look as though you spent quite a bit of time in the sunshine that day. Your skin will probably feel a bit swollen for the first 24 hours or so.
It’s also normal to have some skin peeling, bumps, and breakouts for the first 48 hours after treatment. Your skin is working to improve itself, and that means getting rid of the impurities. If it feels extra dry, reapply moisturizer every two hours or so.
Microneedling Aftercare Tips
Consider your microneedle time to be an opportunity to pamper yourself. Care after Microneedling can look like:
- Boosting progress with supplements
- Avoiding intense activities
- Staying out of hot showers and baths
- Letting the skin rest before further treatments
- Not wearing makeup
- Protecting your skin from the sun
- Avoiding caffeine and alcohol
If you find that the initial swelling is a bit uncomfortable for sleeping, it’s easier to elevate your head while sleeping on your back. This is not as common for Vivace microneedling as it is gentler than other RF microneedle treatments, but it’s a good tip to know just in case.
H2 Boosting Your RF Microneedling Benefits
As an anti-aging solution that has evolved with time, RF microneedling offers incredible benefits. From tightening the skin to restoring volume to sunken areas, reducing scars, and more, microneedle RF sessions are customizable to your needs. And the better you care for your skin and body once you’ve treated yourself to microneedling, the better your results will be.
Taking Oral Supplements
Taking oral supplements that benefit the skin, such as Omega 3, Zinc, and Vitamin C can help improve results and promote healing. Glucosamine is another good supplement you can try.
Some microneedling aftercare products that can help soothe your skin and speed up healing include:
- Vitamin A
- Antioxidant serums
- Collagen stimulating peptides
- Cooling face masks
- Tylenol
- Mineral sunscreen (SPF 30+)
Avoid anti-inflammatory medications like Ibuprofen or Advil. It’s best not to ice the face for swelling as this can also interfere with the body’s inflammatory response.
How Long After Microneedling Can I Use Moisturizer?
Moisturizing topical creams are very effective at soothing the skin once 24 hours have gone by after treatment. Any hydrating cream you apply should not contain active ingredients like retinol or alpha acids. These types of products can irritate your skin.
Working Out After Microneedling
As your skin is healing, your pores are closing, which means you should take care not to reopen them. Sweating opens the pores and exposes them to bacteria, so avoid intense exercises for the first few days.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to sit still and do nothing. Just go easy and don’t push yourself too hard. Maybe take a nice walk around the block for fresh air and movement.
Taking a Bath After Microneedling
Overly hot water isn’t great for your skin for long periods of time since it can cause dryness and irritation. This is especially true once you have microneedling treatments. Avoid hot baths, showers, hot tubs, etc.
Wait to take your relaxing (reasonably warm) bath for the first day after microneedling. Within your first few days of healing, try to keep your showers and baths shorter, and stay out of the sauna. If inflammation happens, avoid the jacuzzi, sauna, etc. for up to 48 hours.
How Long After Microneedling Can I Wash My Face?
Once it’s been about eight, or a least four hours, you can rinse your face with lukewarm water. Wait 24 hours before using any cleanser, and once you do, be sure that it’s a non-exfoliating solution.
Makeup Post-Microneedling
Beyond creams or sunscreen that your provider recommends, your skin should be free to breathe during this time. Give it 24-48 hours before applying makeup to avoid clogging your pores and irritating your skin.
Avoid self-tanning products and spray tans for the first couple of weeks while your skin heals.
Try a mild face mask to help keep your skin cool and hydrated. It will also help with inflammation! Make sure that it doesn’t contain active ingredients, just like the other microneedling aftercare products you use. This is a time to spoil your skin so you can maximize the benefits of treatment.
Sun Protection After Microneedling
Your skin needs to heal, which means you should avoid direct sun exposure and stay away from tanning beds. If you’re not already wearing sunscreen daily, it’s a good habit to get into. But once you’ve had microneedling, it’s even more important to remember sunscreen for a couple of weeks. Also, hats are a lifesaver!
Chemical sunscreen should be avoided on the same day of treatment. A physical sunscreen will keep your skin safer and healthier.
Microneedling & Alcohol
Alcohol dehydrates the body. Hydration is key before and after microneedling. It helps rejuvenate your skin, promoting faster healing. This could be a good time to cleanse your body and your skin – cutting out caffeine and alcohol while replenishing collagen production with microneedling.
Can I Drink Coffee After Microneedling?
Instead of coffee, which can dehydrate your skin like alcohol does, try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Help promote the health of your skin’s moisture barrier post-microneedling by drinking a lot of water to replenish your body’s hydration levels.
How Many Microneedling Sessions Does It Take to See Results?
The answer to this depends on the results you’re expecting to see. For most patients, anywhere between three and five microneedling treatments bring significant skin improvements. Some choose to extend their treatment sessions, using up to eight microneedling appointments to see their desired results.
At Always Beautiful, our team is ready to help you achieve your skincare goals. We will create a plan together that has your timeline, goals, and budget in mind.
Vivace Microneedling in the Denver Area
Combine the power of radiofrequency and microneedling to help your body produce more collagen. Before you know it, your skin is smoother, tighter, and brighter. And when you follow these top microneedling aftercare instructions, you’ll boost your results! The most important takeaway is just to be gentle with your skin. Take good care of it to reap the benefits.
Always Beautiful has custom treatments that help people throughout the Aurora, Littleton, and Cherry Creek areas.
Reverse the signs of aging with Vivace RF microneedling in Denver.
Posted in: Microneedling
Meet Ali McCoy Stengel, LE, RN, BSN
Denver Area Aesthetic Injector, Speaker, and Trainer
My name is Ali and I am the founder, owner, and Master Nurse Injector at Always Beautiful® Medspa. I have been in medicine since 2002, although my passion for facial aesthetics began much earlier. Growing up with acne and self-esteem issues, it became my mission to help others feel comfortable in their skin. Bringing beauty and medicine together became the ultimate pairing to educate the patient, staff, and injector for a safe experience and natural results.
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