In late February I shared some before and after photos on my Instagram feed from my microneedling experience and received a ton of questions about the procedure including the microneedling aftercare.
I have had three total microneedling treatments thus far and have loved the results. In addition to the microneedling aftercare, I will be sharing how best to prepare for your microneedling session in this blog post if you want to skip to there click here.
What is Microneedling?
Several of my Instagram Bff’s asked what is microneedling? So let me begin by giving a high level summary before we dive in. Microneedling is a cosmetic treatment to improve the look of scars, even skin tone, and boost collagen. If used on your scalp in can also be used to encourage hair growth. Microneedling is the insertion of very fine short needles into the skin to promote skin rejuvenation. I have had three microneedling session at Neo Aesthetics in Fresno, CA and have LOVED the results. The details of the microneedling aftercare and pre-treatment instructions are courtesy of my friends over at Neo Aesthetics Fresno.
MICRO-NEEDLING Pre and Post TREATMENT Instructions
Microneedling PRE-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS Do’s and Don’ts:
Things to Do before your Microneeding Treatment
- Do: Avoid retinoids, exfoliants, serums, or creams that may be drying or irritating to the skin. This list includes but is not limited to masks, salicylic acids, benzoyl peroxides. If these types of products are part of your normal skincare routine discontinue use at least 5-7 days prior to your microneedling appointment.
- Do: Take every precaution to prevent cold sores if you are prone. Most offices will not do a microneedling procedure on a patient with an active cold sore. Neo Aesthetics will support you in providing a prescription for antiviral medications. If you are not in central California, call the office provider for a prescription at least three days prior to your appointment.
- Do: Avoid any aggressive skin treatments before your microneedling session including Accutane (for at least 6 months). Ask your doctor if you are unsure if your particular skin treatment qualifies as “aggressive” before your appointment. But generally speaking most at home, and non-prescripttion treatments are not aggressive.
- Do: Avoid excessive sun exposure or sunburn for 2 weeks prior (and after) microneedling
The idea is that you want to come in with your skin as calm as possible. Microneedling is developed to cause tiny instances of trauma to the face to stimulate collagen and skin cell rejuvenation. If your skin is already aggravated the results will not be optimal.
Things NOT to do before your microneedling session
Do Not
- Do Not: take anti-inflammatory medications, aspirin, ibuprofen, Vitamin E or fish oils. such as ibuprofen for 4 days prior to treatment. These medications and supplements can act as a blood thinner which may cause bruising after the microneedling procedure.
- Do Not: use waxing depilatory creams or electrolysis within one week before and after microneedling
- Do Not: shave the day of the procedure to avoid overexposed or overly irritated skin areas.
How to prepare for your microneedling appointment – The Day of Treatment
On the day of the microneedling session. Do not apply any serums, ceams or lotions. It is best to arrive with a clean face and avoid applying any makeup before your appointment.
DAY OF TREATMENT Microneedling post-care INSTRUCTIONS:
Expect your face to be red after the procedure, you will want to make sure to do any errands that would cause long exposure to the sun before your micro-needling session. You may also want to schedule any strenuous activities to occur before your microneedling session as well.
After your microneeding is complete it is safe to go outside but you may not want to. The microneedling aftercare instructions from Neo Aesthetics in Fresno, CA also advise against exercising after a microneedling procedure for at least three days.
Your provider will apply the plasma rich platelets (PRP) to your skin during the microneedling session, it is advised that you leave on the PRP for at least four hours. You can rinse it off before you go to bed with room temperature water if you would like.
Bonus tip*
Clean your cell phone and use your earbuds for the first 72 hours.
Moments after walking out of my first microneedling session, I got a phone call from my husband and put my phone to my face as I normally would. I broke out so badly a few days after my microneedling session because my pores were open and my phone screen was not clean. Since then I have learned my lesson and after each microneedling session I make sure to wipe my cell phone with an alcohol-soaked cotton ball and I try to use my headphones or talk on speakerphone until my face is completely healed.
Days 2-3 Microneedling Aftercare Instructions
On days 2-3 after your microneedling procedure, it is best to use a mild face wash. I used the Cereve Gentle Fash Wash. Neo Aesthetics also recommends washing your face for the first week, and especially the first three days, with only gentle pressure from your fingers. Avoid using a face towel, or Clarisonic on days 1-3. Anything outside of gentle pressure from your hands will be too aggressive for microneedling aftercare.
It is recommended to avoid wearing makeup on until after 72 hours post microneedling. If you are someone who absolutely can not leave the house without makeup. Mineral make up is preferred and only AFTER 24 hours following the microneedling procedure.
On day three I opted for a tinted sunscreen by Mychelle beauty, it’s lightweight oil-free and had the perfect amount of coverage for neutralizing the redness from the microneedling procedure.
It is safe to resume your full skincare routine on day 3, but I would still recommend that you continue to use your fingers to wash and stay away from the Clarisonic until the peeling as ended. On day two I began to use my favorite 
I am acne-prone so the last thing I wanted was acne while the microneedling was healing. My very first session of microneedling I made the mistake of not returning to my normal skincare routine on day 3 and paid the price with a bit of new acne bumps on my cheeks. This acne could have been completely avoidable.
POST- TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
Expect to experience very tight skin after the microneedling session. The feeling is very similar to a sunburn. Although you may want to, it is important to avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications after having a microneedling procedure. It’s also very important to avoid peeling your skin as it heels. It’s very tempting but don’t do it!
I was fortunate enough to have all 3 microneedling sessions done at Neo Aesthetics in Fresno, California. Right now if you tell them Chantea sent you, you can take advantage of an incredible one time session offer of Microneedling with PRP (face) for $130. You won’t find a better deal and it’s such a great value to try this incredible procedure.
Thanks for reading my blog and let me know in the comments if you have any additional questions.
Also check out my blog post microneedling first impressions here.
