Microneedling procedure preparation and aftercare

Following the below guidelines will help protect your health as you receive your microneedling treatments.

Pre-treatment

• You should not use Accutane for the 6 months preceding your treatment.
• You should avoid retinoids, topical antibiotics, exfoliants, hydroquinone, sunburn, and benzoyl peroxide 3 days prior to procedure.
• You should avoid IPL/Laser procedures for the 7 days prior to your procedure.
• Please do NOT wax skin or use depilatory creams or electrolysis for the 5-7 days prior to your procedure.
• Do NOT use acids or defoliants (such as alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) beta hydroxylacids (BHA), exfoliating masks, hydroquinone, or benzoyl peroxide acne products) within 24 hours of your procedure as these dry out and irritate your skin.
• Do NOT shave skin the day of the procedure.
• Monitor your skin and make sure there are no significant changes to your skin prior to your procedure. Examples would be: breakdown of skin or excess dryness or sunburn.
• If you have a history of cold sores, after obtaining approval from your physician, do NOT use antiviral agents for 2 days prior to your treatment.

Day of treatment

• On the day of your procedure, please arrive with clean washed skin.
• Do NOT use lotions, oils, makeup, deodorants, powders, perfumes or sunscreens on the day of your treatment.
• If you have a history of cold sores, after obtaining approval from your physician, do NOT use antiviral agents on the day of your treatment.
• Inform me of any changes in medical history and of all medications you are taking.
• On the day of the treatment, you must deny treatement if any of the following are true: you have active cold sores, herpes simplex, or warts in the area to be treated, open sores, sunburn, or excessively sensitive skin within the application area, you are pregnant, have dermatitis or inflammatory rosacea within the peel application area. You have no known allergies to salicylates.

Post-treatment

• You must NOT take any anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, Motrin or Advil as these agents will interfere with the natural inflammatory process that triggers you skin to rejuvenate and improve.
• You must AVOID sun tanning and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. When exposure to sun is not possible to avoid, then you MUST always use sun screen (SPF30 or above).
• You may clean your face with a gentle cleanser before going to bed.
• NOTE: Redness or sensitivity might be present (and last up to a few days) after your procedure.
• If you experience any pain or soreness, use Tylenol (instead of NSAIDs) as needed and according to all directions on the Tylenol label.
• Please AVOID strenuous exercise or sweating for the 24 hours following your procedure due to microscopic pores that have been created by the procedure.
• When washing skin, GENTLY wash skin with a gentle cleanser and cool water.
• Do NOT clean your skin with abrasive towels, pads, or other scrubbing instruments, use your hands only and pat dry no earlier than 4 hours after your procedure.
• You MAY use a cool compress after the procedure if you experience excessive discomfort, burning, redness, or swelling after the procedure.
• Avoid sun exposure for 3 days and if possible up to 10 days following the procedure. If your skin is exposed to sunlight, apply a minimum of SPF 30 every 2 hours.
• You may begin to use mineral makeup only 24 hours after the procedure.
• Restart regular skin care regimen only 48 hours after the procedure, and Retin A no sooner than 72 hours after the procedure.
• It is recommended you schedule your follow up and repeat treatments roughly 4 weeks after your procedure for at least 3 – 5 treatments, for best results.