What Should You Avoid Before and After Microneedling?

Do you have an upcoming microneedling session, or are you considering booking one? You may be wondering what you should avoid before and after microneedling pen treatments. In this guide, we will walk you through how to prepare for microneedling as well as what to do after microneedling so that you can be as prepared as possible.

What You Should Avoid Before Microneedling

Preparation is key if you want to get the best possible results from your microneedling treatment. Knowing the ins and outs of skin needling before and after will set you up for success. Here's what to avoid:

NSAIDs

Avoid taking NSAIDs like ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen for at least 48 hours before microneedling. These medications can thin the blood, which can increase the likelihood of bruising or bleeding during treatment.

Since microneedling causes micro-injuries to the skin, you want your body's natural inflammatory reaction to activate and begin healing. NSAIDs can interfere with this natural process, reducing the treatment's effectiveness.

Accutane and Other Drugs and Supplements

If you are now taking Accutane (isotretinoin) or have used it within the last six months, you should postpone microneedling. Accutane can make the skin highly sensitive, increasing the risk of irritation and severe reactions.

In addition, avoid blood-thinning medicines such as vitamin E, fish oil, and garlic tablets, as these can increase the risk of bruising and slow healing. If you have any questions regarding your medications or supplements, always consult an expert beforehand to prevent any risks.

Certain Hair Removal Methods

In the days leading up to your microneedling appointment, avoid waxing, shaving, tweezing, or applying depilatory lotions to the region you intend to treat. These certain hair removal methods can irritate or harm the skin's surface, increasing the risk of sensitivity, redness, or inflammation following microneedling. It's usually best to stop all forms of hair removal at least 24 to 48 hours before your treatment.

Heat-Based Cosmetic Treatments and Others

For at least one to two weeks before microneedling, avoid laser treatments, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and any other heat-based cosmetic procedures. These treatments can make the skin more sensitive and susceptible to irritation or unpleasant responses.

Combining too many skin treatments in a short period will overburden your skin's barrier, reducing your results. Allow your skin to relax and fully recover before proceeding to microneedling.

UV Damage

For at least one week before your session, avoid excessive sun exposure, tanning beds, and sunburns. Sun-damaged or burned skin is more sensitive, and microneedling on fragile skin can worsen irritation and slow down healing.

If you've recently been exposed to severe UV rays, waiting until your skin has completely healed before getting a treatment done is best. To protect your skin, always use a broad-spectrum SPF in the days leading up to and following microneedling.

Cold Sores

Before microneedling, you should be extra careful if you get cold sores (herpes simplex virus), especially if you're going to treat areas around your mouth or lips. In some cases, microneedling could cause an outbreak.

If this is the case, talk to your doctor about taking an antiviral drug a day or two before your treatment to prevent the virus from returning. If you have an open outbreak, it's best to avoid microneedling since it can make the irritation worse and spread the infection.

Makeup and Other Cosmetics

If you're wondering how to remove dead skin after microneedling, then it's important to avoid makeup and other cosmetics on the skin. Arrive for your microneedling session with a clean face and no makeup, lotions, creams, or other skincare products. These products can block pores and disrupt the treatment.

Plus, applying microneedling over cosmetics may push unwanted substances into the skin, increasing the risk of irritation or breakouts. Use a light cleanser before your session, and don't apply anything on your skin until after your treatment.

Important to Remember: Avoiding these typical factors before microneedling puts you in a better position for a more seamless and pleasant Dr. Pen before and after experience. The proper pre-treatment care helps your skin respond better, heal more quickly, and show apparent results whether you're using Dr. Pen's microneedling systems or seeing a professional. Remember that preparation is key to getting the best skin after microneedling.

What You Should Avoid After Collagen Induction Therapy

Collagen Induction Therapy, commonly known as microneedling, is a highly successful therapy for enhancing skin texture and reducing the appearance of stretch marks, acne scars, and fine wrinkles– as long as you avoid certain things after your treatment.

Following your treatment, your skin begins a natural healing process to rebuild collagen and elastin, two vital proteins that keep your skin firm, smooth, and youthful. To get the most out of your treatment, what you do after is just as important as the treatment itself.

Here are some essential things to avoid during collagen microneedling before and aftercare.

NSAIDs

Similar to the preparation for microneedling, for several days following treatment, avoid using NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen. Although these medications relieve pain and inflammation, they can also hinder your body's natural healing response, which is what you want to promote following microneedling.

The mild discomfort you feel after treatment is part of the healing process, stimulating collagen formation. Allow your body to work naturally without interruption from these medications. If you require pain relief, consider taking acetaminophen (paracetamol) instead, which does not affect inflammation in the same manner.

Picking Your Skin

After microneedling, your skin may feel dry, flaky, or rough for a few days. It's essential to resist the impulse to pick, scratch, or peel any flaking skin or small scabs that appear. This can interrupt the healing process, leave scars, and raise the risk of infection. Allow your skin to shed naturally; this is a normal part of the regeneration process. Also, remember to be cautious and avoid using harsh exfoliants right after your treatment.

Over-Moisturizing Your Skin

It's natural to wonder what to apply after microneedling since your skin will be more sensitive than usual. While keeping your skin hydrated is essential, over-moisturizing can be as damaging as under-moisturizing.

Applying too many heavy creams can block pores, trap bacteria, and disrupt the skin's healing process. Instead, use gentle, non-comedogenic products advised by your skincare specialist or a basic, moisturizing serum such as hyaluronic acid.

During the healing phase, avoid stacking products or applying anything heavy or greasy to your skin.

Sweating

Avoid activities that induce significant sweating for at least 48 to 72 hours following collagen induction therapy. This includes strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms, and hot yoga. Sweat can introduce bacteria into newly microchanneled skin, raising the risk of discomfort, inflammation, and infection. Keep your skin cool, clean, and calm for the first few days following treatment.

Cosmetics

One of the most essential post-care guidelines is to avoid wearing makeup or other cosmetics for at least 24 to 48 hours following your session. Your skin is more exposed and sensitive, and applying makeup can irritate it or even force bacteria and chemicals into it, resulting in outbreaks or infections.

When you start wearing cosmetics again, thoroughly clean your brushes and choose non-comedogenic, gentle formulas.

Ice

While cold compresses may seem like a good way to relieve redness or swelling, they might interfere with your skin's normal healing reaction. Ice, like NSAIDs, lowers inflammation, but in this situation, inflammation is needed to stimulate the body's repair process and collagen formation.

Allow the redness and warmth to naturally go away. Unless advised otherwise by a skincare specialist, avoid using ice or cold packs immediately after your treatment.

Sleeping On Your Stomach or Side

After microneedling, sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated, especially for the first several nights. Sleeping on your stomach or side might cause friction with your pillow, causing irritation and disrupting the healing process. It may also bring bacteria from your pillowcase onto your freshly treated face.

To keep things hygienic and gentle, replace your pillowcase before your treatment and avoid scratchy fabrics such as flannel or wool.

Alcohol

Avoid consuming alcohol for at least 24 to 48 hours following your microneedling treatment. Alcohol dehydrates the skin, thins the circulation, and slows healing, making the recovery process less effective. It may also cause increased redness or swelling.

Drinking water and remaining hydrated throughout this period can help your skin repair and regenerate considerably faster.

Tobacco

If you smoke, consider taking a break for a few days following treatment. Tobacco smoking reduces the oxygen supply to the skin and disrupts normal blood flow, which is required for healing and collagen synthesis. Smoking can affect the effectiveness of your treatment and cause you to recover more slowly. Long-term, it damages the skin and accelerates aging, counteracting the benefits of microneedling.

Important to Remember: What to avoid and what to use after microneedling is one of the most important steps in your treatment process. By following these simple but effective instructions, you're bound to achieve the exact results you're looking for.

Your Microneedling Before and After Guide with Dr. Pen

The Dr. Pen systems offer a wide range of benefits, and by ensuring that you follow microneedling before and after guidelines, you can be well on your way to a great treatment experience. Want to learn more about the benefits? Visit our website or contact our experts, and we'd be happy to help you on your skin transformation journey!