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Microneedling Aftercare: What to Expect Pre & Post Treatment

Microneedling has a long history within the beauty industry. It was first officially recorded in Germany during the early 1900s where it was used to treat acne scars… but a form of microneedling existed centuries before in Ancient China, where emperors and nobles have been said to use needles to cure facial blemishes and heal damaged internal organs. 


The beauty industry has had a long time to master the technique and technology required to make microneedling a state-of-the-art procedure offering fresh faced, youthful results. 


Most skin care practitioners, including the experts at our North Vancouver cosmetic clinic, will confirm that microneedling is consistently one of most clients' top choices for minimally invasive, non surgical beauty treatments.


Read on to learn all about microneedling and microneedling aftercare, including what to expect pre and post treatment.

What is microneedling?

Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment that helps the body produce surface level collagen. 


Also known as skin needling or dermarolling, it is a type of induction therapy in which the skin is repeatedly punctured in order to force it to heal. The process involves using several sterilized, almost imperceptible sized, needles to ensure a clean and safe procedure. 


Collagen is a protein that supports our skin’s elasticity. While it is naturally occurring, time and age do slow down how much the body can produce. Cosmetic procedures such as microneedling can help stop the collagen breakdown in your body which in turn can give your skin a more youthful look. 


Microneedling benefits


Because microneedling can help your body produce collagen which assists in cell turnover, this procedure is a great option when it comes to treating any kind of marks or texture. This includes:


  • Acne scars 
  • Birthmarks
  • Scars
  • Oversized pores
  • Stretch marks
  • Sun damage
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Diminishing skin elasticity

How to care for your skin before a microneedling appointment

Microneedling, while minimally invasive, does require some specific care prior to your appointment. 


Be sure to pause any intense acne medication (such as Acutane) at least 6 months prior to your session. Topicals, medicine that can increase skin sensitivity, and blood thinners should also be stopped for at least 7 days before your treatment. This means no Tretinoin, Retinol, or intense exfoliation until after your skin has healed. Lastly, stop taking any anti-inflammatory medication for a minimum of 72hs before your appointment. It may interfere with your body’s natural healing process and prevent the treatment from working as it should. 


When it comes to cosmetic procedures, any IPL or laser type therapy should also be avoided for the weeks prior to your appointment. It’s also important to interrupt any hair removal processes for a minimum of 7 days before your treatment. Although shaving is allowed for up to 48hs before, anything more can lead to irritation and inflammation.


Finally, ensure you’re staying out of direct sunlight for 14 days before your appointment. And you should always wear an SPF of 30+ before and after any cosmetic procedure.


Step by step through your microneedling process 

When you arrive, your aesthetician will guide you to your room. To make sure they’re working on a clean canvas, they will first cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser. The next step is applying a numbing cream to the treatment area to ensure minimal feeling during the process. 


The procedure itself can take anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the intensity of the case. Once the numbing cream has taken effect the aesthetician will begin to gently glide the microneedling machine over the area. 


Once the process is completed they will apply a nonabrasive moisturizing cream to help soothe the area.

Microneedling Aftercare 

Because microneedling itself involves making tiny cuts to your skin, the aftercare is similar to any other type of laceration. This means making sure to protect your skin barrier while it goes through the healing process.


To achieve this, make sure you’re following these guidelines:


  • No ice or healing ointments during the whole healing process. This will ensure your skin can perform its natural healing process.
  • Stay out of direct sunlight for at least 2 weeks post-treatment. If you do have to venture outside, make sure you’re always using SPF 30+.
  • Be sure to not take any anti-inflammatory medication for a week after your appointment. This includes Advil, Motrin, Aleve, and any other brand of Aspirin or Ibuprofen.
  • If the pain becomes too much, the best approach is to reach for a pain-reliever. Tylenol is a great option.
  • Do not perform any strenuous activities for 72hs after your treatment is complete.
  • Cleanse the area with a gentle product and cool water. Make sure it remains moisturized as this will help the healing process.
  • Wearing make-up is not ideal during the healing process- but if you must, please wait at least 24hs before applying any post-treatment.

The healing process: what to expect

Microneedling is not the type of treatment that will show immediate results. It requires an average of 4-6 sessions for changes to really be visible. That said, the abrasions themselves can also take a few days to fully heal.


Some other things you can expect during this process include:


  • Risk of infection, common when using non-sterile equipment. Make sure you go to a reputable clinic for your microneedling treatments.
  • Redness similar to a sunburn effect
  • Flaking around the treatment area
  • Potential bleeding
  • Tight or dry skin
  • Some bruising
  • Mild pain

Microneedling North Vancouver 


If you’re curious about starting your journey toward more naturally youthful skin… we’d love to help you. 


NEXX MD is a boutique cosmetic clinic in North Vancouver’s Edgemont Village specializing in non-surgical aesthetic medicine like Botox and Dysport. Our clients also love to visit to experience luxurious beauty treatments IPL PhotoFacials and Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy and essentials like Botox, Microneedling, and Dermal Fillers. 


Book a consultation today.

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