What is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment that uses very fine needles to create controlled micro injuries to your skin. The tiny punctures stimulate your body’s natural healing process to produce more collagen and elastin. It’s like having a mini structural and superficial glow up.
The secret to maximising your results lies in proper aftercare. Post-treatment care is the difference between achieving optimal results and preventing complications.
Dr Ilana Sowter (TCM) has been offering holistic cosmetic acupuncture and skin needling treatments for over 6 years with fantastic results. She has been working with needles as an Acupuncturist for over 16 years. She is here to guide you through the essential aftercare steps to support your skin’s rejuvenation journey.
What to expect after Micro-needling
Immediately after treatment (0-24 hours): Your skin will look flushed, feel tight and warmer, similar to a moderate sunburn. This is completely normal and shows the treatment is working. You may also notice some minor swelling, especially around the eyes, and your skin might feel sensitive to touch.
Days 2-3: The redness will start to fade, but your skin may feel dry and begin to flake or peel lightly. This is your skin naturally shedding damaged cells – resist the urge to pick or scratch. Some people experience minor breakouts as impurities are pushed to the surface.
Days 4-7: Most visible side effects should subside. Your skin may still feel slightly sensitive, but most of the redness and swelling will have significantly reduced. You might notice your skin starting to look tighter, brighter and smoother.
The following weeks: Between weeks 2-4, you’ll start noticing improved skin texture and tone as your body’s natural healing process kicks into action. The micro-injuries from treatment stimulate new collagen and elastin production, which continues building for several months.
Remember: Everyone heals differently. Factors like your age, skin type, treatment depth, and how well you follow aftercare instructions all affect your timeline and results.
Dos and don’ts after Microneedling
Follow these simple microneedling aftercare instructions to ensure optimal results from your treatment.
Don’t expose your skin to the sun
After your microneedling treatment, it is crucial to keep your skin out of the sun DIRECTLY for ONE WEEK (no sun). Your skin is vulnerable to burning and pigmentary changes while it is healing. Wear a hat and apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 (we recommend SPF 50) to your face every day, even when it’s cloudy outside. Reapply sunscreen often to protect the skin barrier from sun exposure while it heals.
Don’t wear makeup for 24 hours
To support the healing process, don’t wear makeup for at least 24 hours following your microneedling procedure. When you do resume makeup application, ensure your brushes and sponges are thoroughly cleaned to prevent irritation or infection.
Don’t pick at the skin
As tempting as it is, avoid touching or picking at the skin, as this can disrupt the wound healing response and lead to sores or an infection. Peeling skin is a common side effect of collagen induction therapy due to the dead skin cells being stimulated upwards.
Don’t use saunas, steam rooms or other heat treatments
Saunas, steam rooms or other heat treatments should be avoided for 48 hours following your microneedling procedure, as they can irritate the skin.
Do keep your skin clean with a gentle cleanser
A gentle, oil-free cleanser should be used after 24 hours following the treatment to support healing and avoid irritation. Your skin is 1000% open. Be gentle when cleansing – pat your skin dry instead of rubbing to avoid irritation. Dr Ilana recommends using either the inside of the banana peel for a healing cleanser or good quality Manuka honey.
Do hydrate every hour for the first 0-72 hours with hydrosol, serum & moisturiser
It is highly recommended to keep the skin fed with an organic serum. Apply hydrosol (flower water spray), then serum then moisturiser EVERY HOUR for the first 2 days following your microneedling procedure. A light, oil-free moisturiser should be applied generously and as needed to avoid dryness and irritation and to encourage skin rejuvenation. Dr Ilana recommends sea buckthorn oil.
Don’t exercise intensely
Intense exercise should be avoided the day of and the next day following the treatment, as it can cause sweating and irritation. If you’re eager to get moving, try gentle walks or low-impact exercises that won’t make you too sweaty.
Don’t use retinol or other actives
AHA, BHA, or retinol after microneedling is a pretty big no-no as these actives can cause severe irritation, burns, or even chemical burns when applied to compromised skin. Wait 5-7 days before reintroducing retinol into your routine, and when you do, start gradually with 2-3 nights per week.
Don’t drink alcohol
Alcohol should be avoided for 24 hours following the treatment as it can cause dehydration and irritation.
Do follow up with Dr Ilana
To ensure optimal results, it is important to let Ilana know how your skin felt and responded during and after the procedure.
If you have any questions or concerns about microneedling and aftercare, please contact us and we will be more than happy to help.
Microneedling aftercare: FAQs
What is microneedling used to treat?
Skin needling is quite a versatile treatment that can be used to improve and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, acne scars, and more. Used to refine and rejuvenate the skin, fine needles stimulate collagen production as part of the skin’s natural healing process.
Skin needling is a popular and highly-effective collagen induction therapy that is also referred to as microneedling, which uses fine needles in the process.
What is involved in a microneedling treatment?
A microneedling treatment involves using a small, handheld TGA-approved medical-grade device to create thousands of tiny punctures in the skin. This stimulates the body’s natural healing response, resulting in the production of collagen and elastin. The new collagen production results in smoother, youthful, glowing skin.
Skin needling treatments are usually performed as a series of 4-6 treatments or more, spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
How often should I have a microneedling treatment?
The frequency of microneedling treatments will all depend on your skin’s individual goals and needs. Typically, microneedling treatments are spaced 4-6 weeks apart, which allows the skin to heal fully in between treatments. For a deeper dive, check out our article: How often should skin needling be done?
What can I expect after my treatment?
After a microneedling treatment, the skin may appear pink to red and flushed. It is also common to experience some mild redness, swelling and bruising. These side effects typically resolve within 4-7 days, although some sensitivity may persist during this recovery period.
How long will it take to see the results of microneedling?
Everyone heals differently, but results can typically be seen as early as 1-2 weeks after treatment, with optimal results usually achieved 4-6 weeks post-treatment.
Are there any risks or side effects associated with microneedling?
The most common side effects are mild irritation, which can lead to pinkness, redness, swelling and bruising, which typically resolve within 4-7 days.
How long after microneedling can I exercise?
You should always avoid intense exercise for 24 hours following your microneedling treatment. Mild exercise is fine, but anything that will cause you to sweat excessively should be completely avoided, as this can irritate the skin.
Is it normal for the skin to peel after a needling treatment?
Skin peeling following microneedling is a common occurrence. This process generally begins around the second to third day and demonstrates that the treatment has successfully activated collagen synthesis and cellular renewal. This represents your skin’s natural process of eliminating damaged cells.
I’ve started breaking out after my microneedling treatment. Is this normal?
Some clients may develop temporary blemishes following microneedling, usually occurring around the second to third day post-treatment. This happens when impurities from deeper skin layers are brought to the surface during the healing response. These temporary breakouts typically resolve within 1-2 weeks.
Microneedling Melbourne
At Femme Vital, expect the best holistic skin and health treatments, coaching and advice with 16 years experience supporting holistic beauty from within with acupuncture, Gua Sha and Chinese herbs.
For in Clinic or Online appointments Book Online or contact us on 03 9005 6730, or info@femmevitalacupuncture.com
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