[UPDATED JANUARY 9 2023] Microneedling Aftercare Do's and Don'ts & Recommended Skincare Ingredients
Joy Kang, CEO and Co-Founder of Eunogo, shares some aftercare tips to get the best results.
Microneedling is getting very popular as a procedure, because it's good for acne, acne scars, general anti-aging, collagen boost, and skin rejuvenation. However, it can also be tricky to take care of your skin after a microneedling session because it is often very sensitive. Today, I’m going to cover the do's and don'ts of microneedling aftercare.
If you haven't seen our video, watch it here:
At Eunogo, we get a lot of questions from the clients after microneedling treatments:
- What do I do next for the aftercare?
- What things should I avoid?
- What skincare should I use, or should I avoid?
In this article, I'm going to summarize all the aftercare tips, and also what not to do after a microneedling procedure. Firstly, let's start with what not to do, and things you should avoid after, especially within the first week after the microneedling treatment.
What to avoid after microneedling
1. Avoid any activities that involve excessive sweating.
This includes sauna, intensive exercise, and jjimjilbang (public bathhouses). You should also avoid any direct sunlight as it can make you sweat.
2. No alcohol or smoking.
Refrain from drinking alcohol and smoking for at least 1 week after the microneedling procedure, so that your skin can heal quickly.
3. Avoid skin makeup.
I know this is the hardest part! But try your best to avoid skin makeup for at least 2 to 3 days after microneedling. After the microneedling treatment, your skin is still wounded and healing, so it’s best to avoid any chemicals or artificial colors getting into your skin.
There are certain skincare ingredients you should avoid for a week after doing the microneedling, which include certain active ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, because your skin is already irritated from the treatment. It’s best not to use any active ingredients that could increase the irritation.
4. Avoid exfoliating.
You'll want to avoid exfoliating for the same reason. You don’t want to cause any additional irritation after the microneedling treatment.
5. Avoid sunlight as much as possible, especially strong, direct sunlight.
This last tip is very important. Try to wear a hat, sunglasses, and a mask, and apply stronger SPF. Make sure to reapply every 2 to 3 hours because sunlight is really bad for your skin, especially when your skin is still healing from all the wounds from microneedling.
What to do after microneedling
Now, let’s talk about what to do after the microneedling treatment. You obviously spent a lot of money and time on the procedure and you definitely want to heal faster and maintain the effects as long as possible. I'll recommend a few skincare ingredients and aftercare tips to care for your skin after microneedling.
1. Use Aloe vera extract ingredients
The first ingredient that I recommend is aloe vera extract. If you are from a Korean family, you probably had a childhood where your Mom has a lot of aloe vera sitting at home. If you go outside and get sunburnt, you'll always put the aloe vera on your face, and it’s supposed to soothe and heal the skin.
There are skincare products, like sheet masks and serums that are formulated with aloe vera. They soothe and calm all the irritation caused by the treatment, so this is the first ingredient that I recommend.
I really like essence/serums that are formulated mainly with aloe vera extract. The Couperose Fluid is formulated with high quality Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract. They really heal your skin and calm down all the irritation and make your skin heal faster, so I highly recommend these.
2. Apply collagen-stimulating peptides
The second ingredient I recommend after microneedling is collagen-stimulating peptides. Remember how I said that your skin is still healing from the wounds? The microneedle creates certain wounds into your skin, which means whatever skincare ingredients you put on while your skin is healing, it’s gonna absorb faster and get deeper into your skin.
So you’ll want to leverage that time to put all the good skincare ingredients into your skin, and collagen-stimulating peptides not only help to heal your skin faster, but also to create extra collagen boost and anti-aging effects and general skin rejuvenation.
De:maf Peptide 30% Wonder Drops EGF Cell-Repair Ampoule
One quick and easy way to boost skin's collagen is to use De:maf Peptide 30% Wonder Drops EGF Cell-Repair Ampoule. This EGF Ampoule contains collagen and 8 types of Hyaluronic Acid as well as 30% of peptide content to enhance skin regeneration.
Dermarssance O To Rocket Collagen Serum Mist
Another good collagen product is the Dermarssance O To Rocket Collagen Serum Mist. It combines 99.9% of pure oxygen and collagen to increases skin absorption and elasticity. Acts as an anti-oxidant to provide skin vitality and care for anti-aging. The serum features Blue Tansy Oil, a rare raw material that can provide skin soothing and skin regeneration.
3. Apply skincare product with hyaluronic acid
And the last skincare ingredient after microneedling is hyaluronic acid. Remember that your skin is still healing from the wounds and it’s supposed to absorb all the ingredients faster and deeper.
Hyaluronic acid will not only hydrate your skin but also helps you achieve very glowy, dewy, aqua shine skin. Now, what’s important to note is, if you apply pure hyaluronic acid, it might be too aggressive for irritated skin after treatment, so I’d recommend some products that contain some amounts of hyaluronic acid.
USOLAB Bio Intensive Hyaluron Cream
For example, USOLAB Bio Intensive Hyaluron Cream contains multi Hyaluronic Acids including Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolysed Hyaluronic Acid and Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate to provide moisture and prevent moisture loss.
De:maf Here-Oh My First Serum a.k.a Bubble Toner
This De:maf Here-Oh My First Serum a.k.a Bubble Toner is a bubble type toner formulated with premium quality hyaluronic acid (less than 500 dalton size), macadamia seed oil, jojoba oil and evening primrose flower extracts. It helps to strengthen your skin barriers and make your skin hydrated and supple all day long, which is good to use after microneedling treatment.
USOLAB Bio Moisturizing Hyaluron Mask
The USOLAB Bio Moisturizing Hyaluron Mask contains 30,000ppm Guaiazulene, blue colored constituent of chamomile oil offers anti-inflammatory, skin barrier strengthening, and soothing effects. Highly suitable for use after laser treatment, to replenish moisture, brighten the skin, and for those seeking to achieve a glowing complexion.
To summarize, some of the good ingredients after microneedling include aloe vera extract for soothing and healing, and collagen-stimulating peptides, as well as hyaluronic acid.
Skincare Routine After Microneedling
I've curated a skincare routine that you can follow after microneedling treatments. It's highly recommended to repeat these steps everyday for 7 days while you’re healing from the treatment.
1. Cleanser
De:maf All Day Glow Creamy Milk Cleanser
First step is cleansing. Make sure you use a sensitivity-tested, very gentle and mild cleanser. Definitely skip the exfoliation for at least a week.
2. Toner & Ampoule
USOLAB Bio Moisturizing Hyaluron Set
Spray the Hyaluron Mist as toner followed by applying Hyaluron Ampoule. This set provides deep hydration to the skin with optimal water retention.
3. Sheet Mask
USOLAB Bio Moisturizing Hyaluron Mask
I recommend the USOLAB Bio Moisturizing Hyaluron Mask that will helps to soothe, moisturize and strengthen your skin barrier especially after microneedling.
While your skin is resting from sheet masking, it helps to absorb all the ingredients very quickly and deeply. The result will be maximized because you still have the wounds created from the microneedling. However, avoid sheet mask that contains anti-aging, brightening ingredients as they can irritate your sensitive skin. .
4. Deep Moisturizing Cream
Seal all the nourishments with a cream that focuses on skin soothing and regeneration. Apply multiple layers depending on how your skin feels as your skin can get extra drier after a procedure. It's important to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized.
Rovectin Anti-Irritant UV Defense Tinted SPF 50+ PA+++
And the last step, if it’s a daytime routine, definitely wear SPF to protect your irritated skin from the sunlight. Make sure you reapply every 2 to 3 hours to ensure your skin is always protected from the sun.
Aftercare is equally as important as the going through the treatment, so if you follow these steps, it will definitely help you achieve more dewy, and more radiant skin, and help your skin have a longer-lasting effect after your microneedling treatment.
If you’re unsure about selecting the right skincare products, it’s always safe to go with products that are clinically-approved and distributed in skin clinics and hospitals. Such brands in Korea include Rovectin’s Anti-Irritant Line, OxygenCeuticals, De:maf as well as USOLAB.
I hope you found this guide useful. If you have any questions or any other topic that you’ll like to see us cover, please comment on the YouTube video, or you can always DM us on Instagram.
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