All care guides

The Aftercare

Microneedling

A gentle guide for before and after microneedling, to support calm, healthy recovery.

Before

Before your visit

A few simple steps help your skin respond well and recover smoothly.

  1. Step 01

    7 days before

    • Avoid
    • Retinol and retinoids
    • Strong acids (AHAs, BHAs, at-home peels)
    • Waxing, threading or laser on the treatment area
    • Sunburn and tanning

  2. Step 02

    3 days before

    • Stop using
    • Scrubs and physical exfoliants
    • Benzoyl peroxide, unless your provider or doctor advises otherwise
    • Use gentle products only
    • Mild cleanser, hydrating serum, moisturizer and SPF

  3. Step 03

    Day of your treatment

    • Arrive with clean, makeup-free skin.
    • Skip active products the morning of your treatment.
    • Let your provider know if
    • You’re feeling unwell
    • You have a history of cold sores and feel one starting
    • You’ve started any new medications or treatments since your consult

After

The days _after_

Healing happens in stages. Here’s what to expect and how to care for your skin at each one.

  1. Phase 01

    First 24 hours

    Your skin may feel like a moderate sunburn — this is normal.

    • Use the products your provider recommends, usually a gentle cleanser and a soothing, hydrating serum or cream
    • Only touch your face with clean hands
    • If your skin feels warm, apply a cool (not ice-cold) compress briefly
    • Makeup for at least 24 hours (ideally 24–48)
    • Touching, rubbing or picking
    • Heavy sweating (gym, hot yoga, sauna, hot baths)
    • Direct sun exposure

  2. Phase 02

    24–72 hours

    Redness and sensitivity gradually ease. Skin may feel tight, dry or slightly rough.

    • Mild cleanser
    • Hydrating, fragrance-free moisturizer
    • Hyaluronic acid serum, if recommended
    • SPF 30+ when going outside
    • Retinol and retinoids
    • AHAs and BHAs, and vitamin C if it stings
    • Scrubs, cleansing brushes, dermaplaning and waxing
    • Self-tanner on the treated area

  3. Phase 03

    3–7 days

    Mild flaking or dryness may appear — let it come off naturally.

    • Focus on hydration and SPF
    • After about a week, once skin is calm (or as your provider advises), gradually restart your actives

  4. Phase 04

    Ongoing

    Results develop over weeks to months.

    • Wear SPF daily — sun protection is key to maintaining your results
    • Major sun exposure (beach, tanning) during a treatment series

Keep it simple, keep it soothing

Less Is More

  1. 1Gentle cleanser
  2. 2Hydrating or calming serum
  3. 3Moisturizer
  4. 4SPF (daytime)
After 7 days

If your skin feels calm, gradually return to your usual routine. Reintroduce actives such as retinol and acids slowly, and watch for any irritation.

The Home Ritual

What to use at home

Curated essentials to hydrate, protect, soothe and support your skin barrier after your treatment.

Shop all
Barrier Pro™ 1-Step Cleanser

Colorescience

Barrier Pro™ 1-Step Cleanser

$39.00
Skin Recovery Mist

Glymed Plus

Skin Recovery Mist

$40.00
Daily Skin Clarifier Brightening Serum

Glymed Plus

Daily Skin Clarifier Brightening Serum

$12.00
Comfort Cream with Aloe Vera

Glymed Plus

Comfort Cream with Aloe Vera

$58.00
Sunforgettable® Total Protection® Face Shield Classic SPF 50

Colorescience

Sunforgettable® Total Protection® Face Shield Classic SPF 50

$74.90
Post Procedure Kit

PCA Skin

Post Procedure Kit

$80.00

Questions? Ask us.

We’re happy to help — text us at (289) 279-1754

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