Breakouts After Microneedling

If you’re looking for a great way to rejuvenate your skin, we recommend microneedling. It’s an easy treatment that can help with acne scars and other skin conditions. The process involves using very small needles to pierce the skin, creating tiny microscopic wounds that encourage collagen production. In addition to regenerating collagen fibers and blood supply, microneedling also helps stimulate hair growth when performed on the scalp – making it an excellent choice if you want fuller locks without needing drugs or surgery!

In this guide, we review the aspects of Breakouts After Microneedling, skin looks worse after microneedling, raised bumps after microneedling, and How long do breakouts after microneedling last?

Breakouts After Microneedling

skin looks worse after microneedling

The reasons for seeking out rhinoplasty are varied and numerous because everybody’s noses are different.

There is no “right” or “wrong” nose, despite how you may view yours in comparison to others. In fact, it’s common for two people to have very similarly shaped noses and still maintain different opinions about them. One person might be dissatisfied with the width of the bridge, while the other might not like the tip of their nose. As such, there are a multitude of rhinoplasty techniques that can be utilised depending on what the patient desires.

A frequently asked question by those considering rhinoplasty is, “Can you do anything to change the tip of my nose?”

The tip of the nose In short, the answer the aforementioned questions is, “Yes.” There are various types of procedures that can be done on various parts of the nose. It is not an all or nothing proposition.

Just because you might not like the tip of your nose does not mean you must have a full-on rhinoplasty surgery that requires the resetting of the bridge of the nose. There are many options that alter just the tip of the nose that are available to you.

Many people are dissatisfied with the shape of the tip of their nose. One common complaint is that their tip is too round, almost ball-like. If you have this lament, you’ll likely be a good candidate for a common procedure that reshapes and removes the excess cartilage in the tip that is causing the roundness. It is a routine request and a commonly performed maneuver.

Another type of nose tip that some people find displeasing is one that droops. Having such a displeasing feature is difficult enough, but when it’s in such a prominent area of the body, it’s understandable why it causes people to be self-conscious or displeased with its appearance.

For a drooping nose tip, the tip can be slightly elevated or rotated. Although the change is minor, it makes a major difference in the overall appearance of the nose, as well as the face as a whole. The degree of rotation can and should be slightly higher in women than in men, but not so high as the nostrils become too prominent.

raised bumps after microneedling

Microneedling has long been a beloved treatment because it’s all-natural, using only the healing factors of your own body to give you skin that looks younger, healthier, and more vibrant. At RefinedMD, we recommend microneedling as a complement to virtually any other treatment—but it’s also a powerful procedure in its own right. You might not know exactly what’s happening below the surface after your microneedling treatment, and if you’re new to microneedling you might leave your first treatment thinking, “Is this it?” Absolutely not! Let’s look closer.

For starters, yes, your skin will be pink or red right after your treatment. This is completely normal and will go away on its own in the next few days. Just how red your skin gets will depend on skin sensitivity and exactly which microneedling device is used. However, most clients still feel comfortable going about their daily lives looking like they got a bit too much sun. Remember that microneedling creates hundreds or even thousands of tiny pin pricks in the skin. These are invisible to the naked eye, but your skin is going to respond! It would be worrisome if it didn’t, because no response means your body isn’t going to start producing collagen at the treatment site.

Post-Microneedling Happenings

You might also notice that your skin feels dry and tight after the treatment. It’s important to follow up microneedling with some nourishing moisturizer, which can be added on to your treatment. Alternatively, you can care for your skin even more by scheduling an indulgence like DiamondGlow right afterward that will drench your skin in medical-grade serums.

Microneedling is not meant to be severely invasive, but bear in mind that it is technically a minimally invasive treatment. Pinpoint bleeding can happen for some patients, but this is typically so slight and brief that you might not see it. Microneedling is also usually described as feeling pretty comfortable, similar to microdermabrasion, but for those with very sensitive skin a topical numbing cream can be used.

Chemical Peel or Microneedling?

Surprisingly, some clients may notice light shedding or peeling in the days following their treatment. That’s just a sign of exfoliation, and it’s actually a good sign. It means that cell turnover is happening (which means collagen production is occurring) and that new skin is being created. In most cases, this exfoliation happens the day after microneedling and can make the texture look a bit dull. Skin that is pink and a bit sandy-looking is common for some clients in days 2 – 4 after the treatment.

Just like any time you’re kick-starting cell turnover with a treatment or skin exfoliation, your skin will be sensitive to UV rays. After all, microneedling damages the stratum corneum (top layer of the skin), which means you have to be even more careful with UV exposure. This is a great time to boost your sun protection regimen and talk with us about a recommended SPF 30 or higher medical-grade sunscreen for you.

Microneedling Basics

Sometimes skin can look slightly swollen after microneedling. This is due to the natural and mechanical injury of the treatment. Degree of swelling (if any) will depend on skin sensitivity and the aggressiveness of the treatment. When swelling does occur, it is subtle and subsides in about three days. A cold compress can help reduce swelling, brings down inflammation, and can feel amazing.

You might notice skin feels rough after microneedling, too. This could be due to the shedding, swelling, or both. For some patients, some visible marks might be apparent, though these are typically light. No need to worry, because anything “off” you notice on your face after microneedling is temporary and will clear up in a few days. Those prone to acne breakouts might also experience a flare-up, especially if you currently have active acne lesions at the treatment site. Microneedling can help with acne scars, but it can also spread the bacteria that causes acne. If you do have acne, bear in mind that acne is a medical condition. Talk with your dermatologist about acne treatments, because there is definitely a solution for you.

How long do breakouts after microneedling last?

Microneedling has continued to rank at the top of skin-rejuvenating treatment lists for quite a while now. Not only can it improve the look and feel of the skin, but it can also work wonders on reducing acne scars, lines and wrinkles. And while at-home microneedling is a great way to gently rev up more collagen in the skin, in-office microneedling is where the real magic happens.

As to be expected, a microneedling treatment administered by your physician is a bit more invasive than a sink-side experience with a dermal roller. As such, there are a few things to take note of, especially when it comes to what to expect once the skin-transforming treatment is complete.

Your skin will be red. 

Davie, FL dermatologist Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, MD says it’s totally normal for your skin to be red after you’ve had a microneedling treatment, but the majority of the redness should subside within 24 hours. By the next day, skin will look pink, but will normalize in a matter of days.

However, if a more aggressive treatment was done, the redness may linger for a bit longer. “I uses the Infini radio-frequency microneedling device in my office to treat acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, and to lift and firm the skin,” says Seattle dermatologist Jennifer Reichel, MD. “Directly after the treatment, skin looks bright red from the heat, with an almost sunburn-like feeling, but it’s not all that bad.” Keeping skin hydrated can help take down the redness, too.

You’ll need to pause your usual skin-care regimen.

Short Hills, NJ facial plastic surgeon Alexander Ovchinsky, MD says to avoid any actives such as retinol, retin-A, vitamin C, AHAs or BHAs immediately after a microneedling treatment. “Stick with a moisturizer made to speed up the healing of the skin and sunscreen is a must,” he says. Sticking to comforting, gentle formulas is a good idea for a few days post-treatment.

New York plastic surgeon Elie Levine, MD agrees, noting abrasive cleansers and scrubs, along with cleansers containing glycolic or hydroxy acids, should be avoided, as should any scented skin-care products. “You can also use hyaluronic acid to help stimulate collagen production post-treatment but one that isn’t harsh on the skin,” says Dr. Levine. “Good moisturization is key.” ​

Your skin may feel tight and dry. Chicago dermatologist Jordan C. Carqueville, MD says skin will likely feel dehydrated after the treatment, and therefore will require intense moisture in order to heal. “After the procedure, I recommend applying a hyaluronic acid serum or emollients, such as petrolatum or lanolin ointment, for two to three days. After a few days, it is OK to resume regular moisturizers as tolerated.”

Bruising is a possibility.

Depending on the length of the needle used and the number of times it is pressed across the treatment area, Dr. Levine says bruising on the face, along with some minor bleeding, can occur. “Also, your skin may feel warm, tight, and itchy for a short while, but this should subside in 12-48 hours,” she says.

Pinpoint bleeding isn’t uncommon.

According to Dr. Blyumin-Karasik, it’s normal for there to be some pinpoint bleeding on the skin from having the needles inserted into the skin. “Because some microneedling treatments are more invasive, like Infini, we use topical numbing, local anesthetic with mesoneedles, and oral or IV sedation,” adds Dr. Reichel. 

You might notice some slight peeling or shedding.New York dermatologist Sapna Palep, MD says skin can exfoliate for up to a week post-treatment, which may result in some very mild peeling. But don’t worry: “This is a good sign, because it’s shows cell turnover and new skin being generated,” she adds.

Dr. Blyumin-Karasik says this exfoliation will likely begin the day after your treatment and make skin look a little dull. “The skin becomes pink and sandy-dry and starts gradually exfoliating for the next few days,” she explains.

You might have an allergic reaction.

If you’re coupling in-office microneedling with radio frequency, New York dermatologist Rita Linkner, MD says she’s seen some instances of an allergic reaction. “This is likely due to the topical anesthetic that was used and then microneedled into the skin. Gridding, like a waffling of the skin, can persist for 36 hours, especially if you are someone who is very sensitive to trauma in the skin.” (If your skin blows up after a bug bite, you’re in this camp!)

Your skin will be sensitive to the sun. Because the top layer of skin, or the stratum corneum, has been disrupted, Dr. Carqueville notes the skin will be sensitive to the sun. “I recommend avoiding direct sun exposure for a month, as the stratus corneum takes 28 days to replenish itself from the mechanical injury of microneedling.” If that’s not feasible, try to completely avoid the sun for the first few days of healing, “and after two or three days, it is OK to resume use of sunscreens.” However, she notes that hats and sunscreen should be used consistently for a month, “and going forward to protect your investment.”

Your skin may be swollen.“The skin may be slightly swollen the next day due to the mechanical injury of microneedling,” says Dr. Carqueville. Dr. Ovchinsky adds that while normal, you might notice some swelling and mild bruising around the under eyes.

“Depending on how aggressive—or how deep—the treatment was, mild swelling for one to three days is normal,” says Dr. Palep, who adds that using a cold compress will help take down the inflammation.

Your skin may feel rough to the touch.

Directly after a microneedling treatment (and even in the coming days post-procedure), your skin may feel a little different than normal and a bit rough when you touch it. There may be some swelling and bruising, too. Santa Monica, CA dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD says that the swelling can range anywhere from mild to severe, although it is more frequently mild. “But it really depends on the type of microneedling done. Taking an antihistamine beforehand helps, too.”

There may be some minimally visible marks.

Because microneedling makes hundreds of tiny safe yet controlled microinjuries on the surface of the skin, it’s not uncommon to see some very small marks on the skin after the procedure has been performed. However, Dr. Palep says there’s no need to worry, whatever you see on your skin is short-lived at most. “These marks may be visible for a few days, but clear very quickly when the microneedling is done with PRP.”

Your skin will require serious protection.

Immediately following treatment and for the first day afterwards, Dr. Ovchinsky says it’s crucial to protect your skin as much as possible. “Use a protective balm like Aquaphor to create a barrier and to prevent excess moisture loss from the skin,” he recommends.

If you’re prone to breaking out, you’ll definitely want to let your doctor know beforehand because micrnoneedling can cause breakouts. This is especially the case if there are active lesions on the surface—the treatment may make them worse. While it can work wonders at improving acne scars, microneedling can actually spread bacteria in the skin, making breakouts worse.