Does Microneedling Work On Stretch Marks
Microneedling is a treatment in which tiny, sterile needles are rolled on the skin’s surface to create microscopic channels in the skin. This procedure helps stimulate collagen production, increase absorption of active ingredients, and improve overall skin tone and texture. Another benefit from microneedling is that it can help reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks.
In this guide, we find out Does Microneedling Work On Stretch Marks, microneedling stretch marks after care, What should you not do after microneedling, and What do you put on your skin after microneedling?
Although stretch marks on our bodies can be considered as honorable battle scars, they can still be an aesthetic distraction and reduce our self-confidence with their visibility.
Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy, is a minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure that uses a roller with multiple very fine needles to penetrate the skin, gradually inducing the formation of new collagen, which can help eliminate unwanted stretch marks.
Microneedling uses a derma roller device that is effective at treating scars, wrinkles, large pores, and stretch marks.
You no longer have to conceal your blemishes and marks with loads of makeup because this treatment will improve skin texture and restore the skin’s youthful appearance.
How Does Microneedling Work?
Microneedling is a skin rejuvenation technique that uses fine needles to make microscopic punctures into the skin to boost collagen and elastic development.
This technique can be used on different areas of the body: most commonly on the face, to help rejuvenate the skin, and on the abdomen or thighs to eliminate the signs of stretch marks.
The derma roller device has hundreds of tiny needles that gently create small punctures in the skin as it passes to and fro. These punctures heal quickly to produce a brighter complexion and smoother texture.
Microneedling provides long-lasting results by promoting collagen and elastin growth and skin cell regeneration to enhance the overall appearance of the skin.
What Causes Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks affect more women than men and can result from pregnancy. Stretch marks are caused by the tearing of the dermis. This is often from the rapid stretching of the skin associated with rapid growth or rapid weight changes. Stretch marks may also be influenced by hormonal changes associated with puberty, pregnancy, bodybuilding, or hormone replacement therapy.
Stretch marks commonly appear on the stomach, thighs, and arms and can seem impossible to hide.
Microneedling can lessen the appearance of stretch marks, and can often make them disappear entirely.
What Else Can Microneedling Do?
Microneedling is effective in enhancing the look and feel of the skin. The treatment poses many benefits like tightening the skin and reducing the appearance of facial imperfections.
The cost of microneedling is also reasonable and will depend on the size of the area that needs treatment.
Does Microneedling Work On Stretch Marks
There are dozens of reasons why stretch marks form in the body: aging, pregnancy, diet, and more. It’s normal to have them, but no one wants to be spotted with one – or many. But there’s no need to be anxious about showing off your skin, now that different stretch mark-erasing treatments like microneedling have been created.
So can microneedling effectively remove stretch marks? Yes, microneedling has been observed to relieve the skin of stretch marks and other skin issues by creating microscopic wounds that trigger the production of elastin and collagen.
The Causes of Stretch Marks and Why Removal is Important
The skin is elastic enough to stretch and return to its original size. However, when sudden changes happen, the skin copes by producing less collagen and disordered fibers that appear as long discolored streaks. They are commonly seen in areas like the thighs, upper arms, breasts, buttocks, and abdomen.
Both men and women can develop stretch marks. These marks are commonly tied to physical changes like puberty, weight gain, rapid weight loss, and pregnancy. Although it is something that everyone experiences, people are eager to erase stretch marks for personal reasons.
That’s why dermatologists and aestheticians everywhere are developing effective treatments to get rid of stretch marks. And among the many solutions available, microneedling is one of the most effective procedures on the market today.
What Makes Microneedling the Best Treatment for Stretch Marks
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a non-surgical procedure that can induce the body’s production of collagen and elastin. It is a known treatment for many dermal battle scars like wrinkles, fine lines, uneven skin tone, and acne scars. But it can also treat stretch marks in different areas of the body.
How it Effectively Removes Stretch Marks
To remove the stretch marks, microneedling creates micro-injuries in the treatment area. This triggers the body to produce more collagen and elastin that heals the wounds. Stretch mark removal through microneedling occurs in three stages:
Aside from restarting the collagen production, microneedling also heals the connective tissues of the dermis that created the stretch mark. This procedure is a great solution because it punctures the skin deep enough to cause a reaction within the same dermal layer where the marks were formed.
The Cost of Microneedling vs Other Treatments
A session of microneedling can cost around $200 – $700. The number of treatments may vary per individual, but the typical count is 3 to 6 sessions that are 2 to 6 weeks apart. Depending on the results, maintenance sessions might be necessary.
Did you know that 50% to 90% of women have stretch marks? Many men have them too, even though it’s not as common. If you’ve got them, you’re not alone. After countless women trying different lotions and oils to reduce stretch marks, the world finally gave us a better solution – dermaroller!. So if you’d like to get rid of them, microneedling rollers, like the well-known DermRollers, can help with that, as they have done so to many women and men alike. In this post, we’ll discuss how dermarolling stretch marks can help reduce them. We’ll also talk about a bunch of other stuff – how to use a dermaroller on old stretch marks, post-treatment products, and much more. Keep reading!
What are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are scars that are rippled and stretch across the skin. They’re typically purple or red-ish in the beginning but fade to a more skin-like color after some time. However, most of the time, they’re still prominent enough to bother people and mess with their self-esteem. Why do they occur? Stretch marks appear when the skin stretches too fast and breaks. It happens mainly to people that grow up or gain weight a bit too fast and pregnant women. It happens even more if the skin is dry or dehydrated.
How Does Microneedling Help Reduce Stretch Marks? Is it Effective?
Microneedling was previously known as Collagen Induction Therapy. The name was given because of how successful the therapy proved in increasing collagen production in the skin. Collagen is a protein in our skin that keeps it elastic and helps regenerate it.
Inducing collagen production in areas with stretch marks can help rejuvenate the skin, improve its texture, and reduce any purple or pink pigmentation. Hence, the visible appearance of stretch marks is greatly reduced by microneedling.
Moreover, several studies prove this. A 2019 research paper explores the efficacy of microneedling old stretch marks and analyzes results from a number of different studies from 2010 to 2017. All of the studies show positive results with regard to microneedling. For instance, one study included 40 females with stretch marks. 20 of them were treated with dermarollers, and the other 20 were given microdermabrasion with sonophoresis therapy. The results? 18 of the 20 women in the microneedling group showed clinical improvement, while only 10 in 20 women from the other group showed any positive results. It’s safe to say that a dermaroller is an effective and clinically-proven device for reducing stretch marks and gives visible and satisfactory results.
Stretch Marks’ Needle Size
Choosing the correct dermaroller size is imperative. Since stretch marks are deep scars in the skin, a facial dermaroller won’t help with it.
How to Use A Dermaroller on Stretch Marks?
Whether you’re using a 1.5mm needle or a 3.0 mm one, you must take the necessary precautions to perform the procedure safely. Even though dermarolling stretch marks at home is easy and straightforward, not following the correct instructions can result in injury and infection.
The Good Skincare for Your Old Stretch Marks
You shouldn’t apply just any serum after dermarolling stretch marks. Choosing the right serum is important because this will determine how quickly you see your results.
First and foremost, we recommend using a moisturizing serum, as the skin often becomes very dry after dermarolling. The best thirst-quenching serum for your skin is hyaluronic acid, which draws in moisture to your skin and keeps it there.
However, using these serums after dermarolling can be tricky. Your skin has open wounds after the procedure, and you don’t want to irritate it with strong acids. Hence, you may want to wait a few hours or even up to a day before applying them – depends on how well your skin tolerates the serums. Test your skin for irritation by patch testing before slathering on serums on the entire area.
When Will You See Results?
Results with dermarollers are quick but don’t expect miracles overnight. Since you’ll be dermarolling stretch marks every six to twelve weeks, expect results after at least four to five sessions (or six to seven months). You’ll start seeing improvements after the first two or three treatments, but noticeable differences occur after a few months.
stretch marks after care
Stretch marks after pregnancy are a reality you have to contend with, just like busy schedules and swollen ankles. Rest easy, though, because Mustela is here to help. We’ve assembled the 11 best ways to heal pregnancy stretch marks. With these simple treatments, you can focus more on your new bundle of joy than on your skin care routine.
A Brief Overview Of Pregnancy Stretch Marks
Stretch marks, officially called striae distensae (or striae gravidarum when they occur during pregnancy), are exactly what they sound like—the marks that appear on your skin when it gets stretched.
When your body rapidly grows and expands, your skin is pulled tight over the new mass that’s formed. Stretch marks are the result of your middle layer of skin or the underlying tissue tearing from being stretched so tightly. These tears become visible on the surface of your skin. While they can be unsightly and annoying, stretch marks are not harmful and don’t pose any health risks.
Of course, stretch marks are not exclusive to pregnancies. Rapid weight gain, whether through intensive muscle gain or an excessive increase in body fat, can also lead to stretch marks. Some teenagers get stretch marks if they hit a particularly potent growth spurt.
With that said, we should note that as many as 90 percent of women will develop stretch marks during pregnancy. It’s not entirely clear why some women are lucky enough to go through an entire pregnancy without developing any stretch marks. But there is evidence that shows women whose mother and/or older sisters developed stretch marks are more likely to have the problem themselves, suggesting that genetic factors are at play.
Most often, pregnancy stretch marks begin to appear in the sixth or seventh month, when the baby’s growth really spikes. They normally develop on the mom-to-be’s tummy, thighs, buttocks, hips, and chest.
There are steps you can take to minimize stretch mark formation during your pregnancy, but it’s likely that you’ll need to treat them after your baby is born, as well. If you’ve recently given birth, we’re sure you’re already well aware of this fact.
But don’t worry! There’s hope for smooth, stretch-mark free skin. Follow the 11 easy steps below to heal your pregnancy stretch marks in no time.
Tips For Healing Your Pregnancy Stretch Marks
1) Massage With Oil
Massaging the skin of your hips, belly, and bust is one of the best ways to treat stretch marks after pregnancy. A gentle massage increases blood flow and breaks up the scar tissue that causes stretch marks. We recommend using a healing oil, like Mustela’s Stretch Marks Oil, to reduce friction during the massage and give your skin the vitamins and minerals it needs to repair itself.
Apply some oil to the palms of your hands and then gently massage your belly. Focus on this area for two minutes, reapplying oil as needed. When the two minutes are up, move to another area with stretch marks and repeat the process.
For extra healing, you can try soaking in a warm bath for ten minutes or taking a warm shower before your massage to soften your skin and open up your pores.
2) Apply A Specialized Cream
Specialized creams, like Mustela’s Stretch Marks Serum and Body Firming Gel, are the simplest way to treat stretch marks after pregnancy. Their unique formulas—which include natural ingredients like avocado peptides, sunflower seed oil, and beeswax—help heal stretch marks in the deeper layers of your skin while keeping the upper layers soft and supple.One application in the morning and one application in the evening provides continuous healing for pregnancy stretch marks.
3) Stay Hydrated To Treat Pregnancy Stretch Marks
We’re probably not the first to tell you how important it is to drink plenty of water. It’s cliché, but it’s true! The water you drink provides your skin with the hydration necessary for it to remain healthy.When skin cells have an ample supply of water, they’re able to function properly and repair themselves more efficiently. This means your skin is better able to recover from pregnancy stretch marks. We suggest drinking at least eight cups of water every day to keep your skin cells healthy and hydrated!
4) Keep Your Skin Moisturized
Moisture is one of the most important components of a healthy skin care routine. It keeps your skin smooth and bright, helps maintain your skin’s protective outer layer, and preserves skin elasticity. As an added bonus, it helps heal stretch marks, too.
Medical professionals recommend choosing your skin care products carefully when you’re still breastfeeding. Some moisturizers contain ingredients that may find their way into your breast milk. The effect of these ingredients on newborns is unknown, so it’s best to avoid using these skin care products altogether.
In particular, avoid Retinoid and products with Retinol, Retinol-A, or some other variant of this compound. Parabens are also unsafe. Always try to choose skin care products made from natural ingredients.
Using a hypoallergenic soothing cream, like Mustela’s Soothing Moisturizing Balm, in the morning and evening is an easy and effective way to ensure your skin is adequately moisturized. The healing cream uses powerful ingredients like ceramides to strengthen stretch-marked skin, alleviate itchiness, and boost elasticity.
5) Exercise To Improve Skin & Muscle Tone
Exercise can be a fun and effective method for repairing stretch marks after pregnancy. Even light exercise, such as walking and yoga, can strengthen the muscles of your hips, thighs, and belly (the areas where stretch marks most often appear). Strengthening those muscles helps to tighten loose, stretch-marked skin and promotes faster healing.
Any exercise will do, so pick one you enjoy. There are so many options to choose from, such as swimming, walking, running, weight training, yoga, and pilates. Depending on your fitness level and the exercise(s) you choose, we suggest starting with one day per week and gradually increasing to two, three, four, or even five days per week.
6) Rejuvenate Skin With Home Remedies
Egg White Peel
Egg whites contain a whole host of beneficial nutrients, such as protein, potassium, riboflavin, and magnesium. These nutrients are great for the health of your skin and can be used to heal pregnancy stretch marks. Here’s how they work:
The easiest way to direct these healing nutrients to stretch-marked skin is to whip up an egg white peel. Here’s how to do it.
Your skin will feel tighter and more radiant, and the nutrients will penetrate deep to heal stubborn stretch marks.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is widely known for its sunburn healing properties. But it’s not just for sunburns. Aloe vera promotes healing in general and soothes your skin. And we’re not talking about the kind of aloe vera gel you typically find at your local store. We’re talking about fresh gel — the gel from the actual aloe vera plant.
Honey Scrub
Honey is definitely a product you want to have on hand. Did you know that honey has antiseptic properties that are known to reduce the appearance of stretch marks? But for the honey to be effective, it needs to be raw — meaning unfiltered and unprocessed — and organic.
Here are the steps to follow for a honey scrub:
Prepare a honey scrub by mixing honey with salt and glycerin (a type of natural compound in the form of a liquid found in animal- and plant-derived fats). Apply the scrub to your stretch marks and leave it on until it dries. Rinse it off using warm water.
Note: You can buy glycerin at your local grocery store.
Sugar Scrub
Sugar…who would have known this product can be used for stretch marks? We’re sure you have it sitting in your pantry as you read this. It’s a great exfoliator for removing dead skin cells and can help lighten your stretch marks.
Here’s how to make and use a sugar scrub:
Lemon Juice
Since you now have some lemon juice on hand after making your sugar scrub, try this home remedy next. Lemons are known for lightening the pigmentation of your skin. As you’ve probably noticed, skin discoloration often accompanies stretch marks.
Lemon juice is naturally acidic, making it a useful agent in healing acne, pimples, and other skin conditions. These acidic properties also help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and speed up the healing process.
Follow these steps to make the most of your lemon juice:
After you’ve tried each home remedy, don’t forget to follow up with Mustela’s Stretch Marks Serum to lock in moisture and help reduce the appearance of recent stretch marks.
7) Ice Stretch Marks To Reduce Inflammation
As you know by now, stretch marks are tiny scars that form as your skin stretches. As they heal, these tiny scars can cause inflammation and swelling, which can make stretch marks look even worse. Rubbing ice on stretch-marked skin can help relieve and reduce this swelling and inflammation.
A reusable ice pack that is stored in the freezer makes it quick and easy to apply cold whenever the opportunity presents itself. If you don’t have an ice pack, try putting some ice cubes in a Ziploc bag.
Wrap the cold pack in a dish towel or pillow case so that the ice doesn’t come directly in contact with your skin. Start with your belly. Hold it on your skin for up to ten minutes, then move to your thigh and hold the cold pack on your skin for another ten minutes. Repeat this process for all areas of your body that have stretch marks.
What should you not do after microneedling
When you’re having skin texture issues, makeup application can be tricky. Some skin conditions can cause makeup to sit heavily on the face, or cause makeup to enhance flaws rather than mask them. Luckily, the experts at Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery in Portage, MI know that one of the most effective treatments for uneven texture is microneedling.
How Soon Can I Wear Makeup After Microneedling?
If you’re using this treatment as a way to correct your skin texture so makeup application will be easier and look better, it makes sense if one of your first questions is how soon you can wear makeup after your treatment. Many patients are surprised to learn that they will need to wait at least 48 to 72 hours before any makeup products can be applied to the skin.
This temporary ban on makeup even applies to a tinted moisturizer or tinted sunscreen. While your skin must remain hydrated after your treatment, it’s not advisable to use any products made from pigmented minerals for the sake of not irritating your skin. However, unlike traditional makeup, you can use a tinted moisturizer or sunscreen within 24 hours after your treatment.
Why This Time Frame?
Foundation makeup is an excellent choice to correct pigmentation concerns about the natural appearance of your skin, but the way makeup is formulated makes it a less than ideal option after microneedle treatments. Most makeup is made from an oil base or uses minerals that block pores and potentially interfere with natural skin shedding, both of which can make it more difficult for your skin to recover after this treatment.
It’s important to wait before the application of makeup products so that your skin has a chance to breathe and start recovering from the micro-injuries caused by the treatment. After 24 hours, your skin will be in a better state to handle the chemicals used in tinted products; after 48 to 72 hours, the top layer of your skin will be healed enough that regular makeup application won’t pose any potential problems for recovery.
What Can You Put on Your Face After Microneedling?
If you can’t wear makeup after a microneedling treatment, then what can you put on your skin? For the first one to three days after your treatment, the majority of your skincare routine needs to be focused on promoting skin health, maintaining skin moisture, and protecting your skin during this crucial and highly vulnerable period. The good news is that you have several options for products you can safely use on your skin, which include:
Sunscreen
You must use sunscreen at all times, but especially after microneedle treatments for about two weeks. While you can’t use sunscreen for the first 24 hours after your treatment for the same reason you shouldn’t use other mineral-based products, you should be using sunscreen the day after your treatment.
Ideally, the sunscreen you use should be graded SPF 30 or greater. For those who have fair or sensitive skin, stronger sunscreen may be advisable; you may also want stronger sunscreen during the spring and summer months when the risk of sun exposure is greatest. For patients with acne-prone skin or sensitive skin, you should always opt for non-comedogenic sunscreen.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is an incredibly useful natural skincare ingredient that has been used for thousands of years. While aloe vera is most commonly known to help your skin heal after burns, the healing properties of aloe vera are also useful for treating abrasions, dryness, and uneven skin tone. In fact, aloe vera is one of the best products to use to protect the natural function of your skin barrier. Using aloe after your treatment can help your skin heal faster and reduce any redness or irritation following your appointment.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a powerful emollient that can help maintain the moisture balance in the skin, which is your top priority after your treatment. Natural or organic coconut oil applied to the skin two to three times a day can help your skin stay hydrated and make it easier for your skin to recover. Using coconut oil may even be a preferable option if you have sensitive skin that is highly reactive to skincare ingredients normally found in over-the-counter moisturizers.
Moisturizers
Speaking of moisturizers, applying moisturizer throughout the day after your treatment will keep your skin supple and soft after your treatment. General daily moisturizers tend to combine the kind of ingredients that support skin health. However, be careful to check all of the ingredients in your favorite moisturizer; if you have one that uses Vitamin C or retinoids, you will need to switch to a moisturizer without these ingredients during your recovery period.
Hyaluronic Acid
While you will be instructed to stay away from most acid-based skincare ingredients during your aftercare, there is one acid that you may want to stock up on. Hyaluronic acid is a natural acid found in the skin that is responsible for retaining skin moisture. Since hyaluronic acid can carry many times its own weight in water, it’s an important ingredient to use either as a serum or in your moisturizer.
Even more importantly, hyaluronic acid is also friendly to collagen production – in fact, studies indicate that collagen production is more sustainable in the presence of hyaluronic acid. As microneedle treatments are also called collagen induction therapy, it can be helpful to support your collagen production with hyaluronic acid.
Hydrocortisone Cream
Some patients also like to use hydrocortisone cream, which can help soothe irritation and encourage natural healing. Hydrocortisone cream is best at 1%, which is strong enough to support your skin’s regeneration, minimize irritation, and reduce the risk of itching, peeling, or redness after your treatment. You can find hydrocortisone cream at your local pharmacy.
Mild Cleansers
It’s also important to note that your normal cleanser might be too harsh for your skin for the first one to three days of your appointment. Patients should ideally use mild cleansers that don’t contain harsh chemicals, such as sulfates, or certain ingredients like acids. The best mild cleansers to use are oil-based, as they will not strip your skin any further or cause additional dryness. It’s also important to not use exfoliating cleansers or scrubs during this time.
Other Microneedling Aftercare FAQs
1. What Should You Not Put on Your Face After Microneedling?
Other than makeup, is there anything else you should avoid putting on your skin after treatment? It turns out there are quite a few products and ingredients you should steer clear of until your skin is recovered, while is usually within 7 to 10 days of your treatment. The list of skincare products to avoid after this treatment consists mostly of skin actives.
Why You Need to Avoid Skin Actives
Skin actives are ingredients that are used to specifically target certain concerns on the skin. For example, Retinol is used for age-related concerns, while glycolic acid may be used to manage acne, and Vitamin C is used to manage sun damage.
However, most skin actives are based on acids, and the primary purpose of acids is to further strip and exfoliate your skin for more rapid skin cell turnover. Since microneedle treatments are already causing skin cell turnover, adding acid products will only prolong your recovery time – and potentially damage your skin.
2. How Long Will Your Skin Need To Recover?
Most people will require about 7 to 10 days for the skin to be mostly recovered, with those who have mature skin requiring about fourteen days for a full recovery. Your skin requires this much time to shed dead skin cells, correct skin redness and tightness after treatment, and be less vulnerable to harsher chemicals and ingredients.
What do you put on your skin after microneedling
When you’re having skin texture issues, makeup application can be tricky. Some skin conditions can cause makeup to sit heavily on the face, or cause makeup to enhance flaws rather than mask them. Luckily, the experts at Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery in Portage, MI know that one of the most effective treatments for uneven texture is microneedling.
How Soon Can I Wear Makeup After Microneedling?
If you’re using this treatment as a way to correct your skin texture so makeup application will be easier and look better, it makes sense if one of your first questions is how soon you can wear makeup after your treatment. Many patients are surprised to learn that they will need to wait at least 48 to 72 hours before any makeup products can be applied to the skin.
This temporary ban on makeup even applies to a tinted moisturizer or tinted sunscreen. While your skin must remain hydrated after your treatment, it’s not advisable to use any products made from pigmented minerals for the sake of not irritating your skin. However, unlike traditional makeup, you can use a tinted moisturizer or sunscreen within 24 hours after your treatment.
Why This Time Frame?
Foundation makeup is an excellent choice to correct pigmentation concerns about the natural appearance of your skin, but the way makeup is formulated makes it a less than ideal option after microneedle treatments. Most makeup is made from an oil base or uses minerals that block pores and potentially interfere with natural skin shedding, both of which can make it more difficult for your skin to recover after this treatment.
It’s important to wait before the application of makeup products so that your skin has a chance to breathe and start recovering from the micro-injuries caused by the treatment. After 24 hours, your skin will be in a better state to handle the chemicals used in tinted products; after 48 to 72 hours, the top layer of your skin will be healed enough that regular makeup application won’t pose any potential problems for recovery.
What Can You Put on Your Face After Microneedling?
If you can’t wear makeup after a microneedling treatment, then what can you put on your skin? For the first one to three days after your treatment, the majority of your skincare routine needs to be focused on promoting skin health, maintaining skin moisture, and protecting your skin during this crucial and highly vulnerable period. The good news is that you have several options for products you can safely use on your skin, which include:
Sunscreen
You must use sunscreen at all times, but especially after microneedle treatments for about two weeks. While you can’t use sunscreen for the first 24 hours after your treatment for the same reason you shouldn’t use other mineral-based products, you should be using sunscreen the day after your treatment.
Ideally, the sunscreen you use should be graded SPF 30 or greater. For those who have fair or sensitive skin, stronger sunscreen may be advisable; you may also want stronger sunscreen during the spring and summer months when the risk of sun exposure is greatest. For patients with acne-prone skin or sensitive skin, you should always opt for non-comedogenic sunscreen.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is an incredibly useful natural skincare ingredient that has been used for thousands of years. While aloe vera is most commonly known to help your skin heal after burns, the healing properties of aloe vera are also useful for treating abrasions, dryness, and uneven skin tone. In fact, aloe vera is one of the best products to use to protect the natural function of your skin barrier. Using aloe after your treatment can help your skin heal faster and reduce any redness or irritation following your appointment.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a powerful emollient that can help maintain the moisture balance in the skin, which is your top priority after your treatment. Natural or organic coconut oil applied to the skin two to three times a day can help your skin stay hydrated and make it easier for your skin to recover. Using coconut oil may even be a preferable option if you have sensitive skin that is highly reactive to skincare ingredients normally found in over-the-counter moisturizers.
Moisturizers
Speaking of moisturizers, applying moisturizer throughout the day after your treatment will keep your skin supple and soft after your treatment. General daily moisturizers tend to combine the kind of ingredients that support skin health. However, be careful to check all of the ingredients in your favorite moisturizer; if you have one that uses Vitamin C or retinoids, you will need to switch to a moisturizer without these ingredients during your recovery period.
Hyaluronic Acid
While you will be instructed to stay away from most acid-based skincare ingredients during your aftercare, there is one acid that you may want to stock up on. Hyaluronic acid is a natural acid found in the skin that is responsible for retaining skin moisture. Since hyaluronic acid can carry many times its own weight in water, it’s an important ingredient to use either as a serum or in your moisturizer.
Even more importantly, hyaluronic acid is also friendly to collagen production – in fact, studies indicate that collagen production is more sustainable in the presence of hyaluronic acid. As microneedle treatments are also called collagen induction therapy, it can be helpful to support your collagen production with hyaluronic acid.
Hydrocortisone Cream
Some patients also like to use hydrocortisone cream, which can help soothe irritation and encourage natural healing. Hydrocortisone cream is best at 1%, which is strong enough to support your skin’s regeneration, minimize irritation, and reduce the risk of itching, peeling, or redness after your treatment. You can find hydrocortisone cream at your local pharmacy.
Mild Cleansers
It’s also important to note that your normal cleanser might be too harsh for your skin for the first one to three days of your appointment. Patients should ideally use mild cleansers that don’t contain harsh chemicals, such as sulfates, or certain ingredients like acids. The best mild cleansers to use are oil-based, as they will not strip your skin any further or cause additional dryness. It’s also important to not use exfoliating cleansers or scrubs during this time.
Other Microneedling Aftercare FAQs
1. What Should You Not Put on Your Face After Microneedling?
Other than makeup, is there anything else you should avoid putting on your skin after treatment? It turns out there are quite a few products and ingredients you should steer clear of until your skin is recovered, while is usually within 7 to 10 days of your treatment. The list of skincare products to avoid after this treatment consists mostly of skin actives.
Why You Need to Avoid Skin Actives
Skin actives are ingredients that are used to specifically target certain concerns on the skin. For example, Retinol is used for age-related concerns, while glycolic acid may be used to manage acne, and Vitamin C is used to manage sun damage.
However, most skin actives are based on acids, and the primary purpose of acids is to further strip and exfoliate your skin for more rapid skin cell turnover. Since microneedle treatments are already causing skin cell turnover, adding acid products will only prolong your recovery time – and potentially damage your skin.
2. How Long Will Your Skin Need To Recover?
Most people will require about 7 to 10 days for the skin to be mostly recovered, with those who have mature skin requiring about fourteen days for a full recovery. Your skin requires this much time to shed dead skin cells, correct skin redness and tightness after treatment, and be less vulnerable to harsher chemicals and ingredients.