Microneedling is a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment that uses very, very fine needles to create controlled micro injuries in the skin. The tiny punctures stimulate your body's natural healing process, which produces collagen and elastin.
While the treatment itself is relatively quick and mild, the secret to maximising your results lies in proper aftercare. Post-treatment care is the difference between achieving optimal results and preventing complications like infection, hyperpigmentation, or delayed healing.
Victorian Dermal Group has been offering skin micro needling treatments for 10 years with fantastic results. Our experienced team is here to guide you through the essential aftercare steps to support your skin's rejuvenation journey.
What to expect after microneedling
Immediately after treatment (0-24 hours): Your skin will look flushed and feel warmer, similar to a moderate sunburn. This is completely normal and shows the treatment is working. You may also notice some minor swelling, especially around the eyes, and your skin might feel tight or sensitive to touch.
Days 2-3: The redness will start to fade, but your skin may feel dry and begin to flake or peel lightly. This is your skin naturally shedding damaged cells - resist the urge to pick or scratch. Some people experience minor breakouts as impurities are pushed to the surface.
Days 4-7: Most visible side effects should subside. Your skin may still feel slightly sensitive, but most of the redness and swelling will have significantly reduced. You might notice your skin starting to look brighter and smoother.
The following weeks: Between weeks 2-4, you'll start noticing improved skin texture and tone as your body's natural healing process kicks into high gear. The micro-injuries from treatment stimulate new collagen and elastin production, which continues building for several months.
Remember: Everyone heals differently. Factors like your age, skin type, treatment depth, and how well you follow aftercare instructions all affect your timeline and results.
Dos and don’ts after microneedling
Follow these simple microneedling aftercare instructions from Victorian Dermal Group to ensure optimal results from your treatment.
Don’t expose your skin to the sun
After your microneedling treatment, it is crucial to keep your skin out of the sun. Your skin is vulnerable to burning and pigmentary changes while it is healing.
Apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 (we recommend SPF 50) to your face every day, even when it's cloudy outside. Reapply sunscreen often to protect the skin barrier from sun exposure while it heals.
Don’t wear makeup for 24 hours
To support the healing process, don’t wear makeup for at least 24 hours following your microneedling procedure. When you do resume makeup application, ensure your brushes and sponges are thoroughly cleaned to prevent irritation or infection.
Don’t pick at the skin
As tempting as it is, avoid touching or picking at the skin, as this can disrupt the wound healing response and lead to sores or an infection. Peeling skin is a common side effect of collagen induction therapy due to the dead skin cells being stimulated upwards.
Don’t use saunas, steam rooms or other heat treatments
Saunas, steam rooms or other heat treatments should be avoided for 48 hours following your microneedling procedure, as they can irritate the skin.
Do keep your skin clean with a gentle cleanser
A gentle, oil-free cleanser should be used for 24 hours following the treatment to support healing and avoid irritation. Choose your skin care products with this in mind: a fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and non-comedogenic cleanser is best. Be gentle when cleansing – pat your skin dry instead of rubbing to avoid irritation.
Do hydrate with a light, oil-free moisturiser
It is highly recommended to keep the skin hydrated following a microneedling procedure. A light, oil-free moisturiser should be applied generously and as needed to avoid dryness and irritation and to encourage skin rejuvenation.
Don’t exercise intensely
Intense exercise should be avoided the day of and the next day following the treatment, as it can cause sweating and irritation. If you're eager to get moving, try gentle walks or low-impact exercises that won't make you too sweaty.
Don’t use retinol or other actives
AHA, BHA, or retinol after microneedling is a pretty big no-no as these actives can cause severe irritation, burns, or even chemical burns when applied to compromised skin. Wait 5-7 days before reintroducing retinol into your routine, and when you do, start gradually with 2-3 nights per week.
Don’t drink alcohol
Alcohol should be avoided for 24 hours following the treatment as it can cause dehydration and irritation.
Do follow up with your dermal clinician
To ensure optimal results, it is important to follow up with your dermal clinician for a post-treatment consultation 4-6 weeks following the treatment.
If you have any questions or concerns about microneedling procedures and aftercare, please contact Victorian Dermal Group, and our team will be more than happy to assist you.
Best products to use after microneedling
Step 1 – A gentle cleanser
Nourishing and pH balanced
Best for: Daily cleansing and makeup removal
Step 2 – A barrier supporting serum
Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40ampules
Hyaluronic Acid Complex
Best for: Hydration and barrier repair
Step 3 – A hydrating moisturiser
Advanced repair complex
Best for: Skin recovery and hydration
Microneedling aftercare: FAQs
What is microneedling used to treat?
Skin needling is quite a versatile treatment that can be used to improve and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, acne scars, and more. Used to refine and rejuvenate the skin, fine needles stimulate collagen production as part of the skin’s natural healing process.
Skin needling is a popular and highly-effective collagen induction therapy that is also referred to as microneedling, which uses fine needles in the process.
What is involved in a microneedling treatment?
A microneedling treatment involves using a small, handheld medical-grade device to create thousands of tiny punctures in the skin. This stimulates the body’s natural healing response, resulting in the production of collagen and elastin. The new collagen production results in smoother, youthful, glowing skin.
Skin needling treatments are usually performed as a series of 4-6 treatments or more, spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
How often should I have a microneedling treatment?
The frequency of microneedling treatments will all depend on your skin’s individual goals and needs. Typically, microneedling treatments are spaced 4-6 weeks apart, which allows the skin to heal fully in between treatments. For a deeper dive, check out our article: How often should skin needling be done?
What can I expect after my treatment?
After a microneedling treatment, the skin may appear pink to red and flushed. It is also common to experience some mild redness, swelling and bruising. These side effects typically resolve within 4-7 days, although some sensitivity may persist during this recovery period.
What are the best post microneedling treatment skin care products to use?
Yes, using gentle, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic products for 24 hours after your microneedling treatment is important. A light, oil-free moisturiser is also recommended to keep the skin hydrated.
For best practice, your dermatologist can recommend specific products for you.
How long will it take to see the results of microneedling?
Everyone heals differently, but results can typically be seen as early as 1-2 weeks after treatment, with optimal results usually achieved 4-6 weeks post-treatment.
Are there any risks or side effects associated with microneedling?
The most common side effects are mild irritation, which can lead to pinkness, redness, swelling and bruising, which typically resolve within 4-7 days.
How long after microneedling can I exercise?
You should always avoid intense exercise for 24 hours following your microneedling treatment. Mild exercise is fine, but anything that will cause you to sweat excessively should be completely avoided, as this can irritate the skin.
Is it normal for the skin to peel after a needling treatment?
Skin peeling following microneedling is a common occurrence. This process generally begins around the second to third day and demonstrates that the treatment has successfully activated collagen synthesis and cellular renewal. This represents your skin's natural process of eliminating damaged cells.
I've started breaking out after my microneedling treatment. Is this normal?
Some clients may develop temporary blemishes following microneedling, usually occurring around the second to third day post-treatment. This happens when impurities from deeper skin layers are brought to the surface during the healing response. These temporary breakouts typically resolve within 1-2 weeks.
