Microneedling is an increasingly popular option for women and men who want to keep their skin looking and feeling its best. Tapping into your skin’s natural ability to heal itself, microneedling treats an array of issues, from acne scars to fine lines and wrinkles to sagging skin.
At Metroderm DC: Medical, Laser, and Aesthetic Dermatology Center, our team combines microneedling with radiofrequency (RF) energy for optimal skin rejuvenation benefits. That means you’re already one step closer to maximizing your microneedling results.
In this post, Edward Stolar, MD, Todd Perkins, MD, and Adrianna Gonzales, MD, FAAD, review a few more tips to help you get the best results possible.
Microneedling uses a series of tiny needles to create areas of controlled damage in your skin’s upper layers. These areas trigger natural healing responses, including ramped-up production of collagen, a protein responsible for keeping your skin firm and smooth.
Not surprisingly, creating those areas of controlled damage can cause some irritation. You can minimize this discomfort by taking a few steps in the days and weeks before your treatment session:
In fact, it’s a good idea to skip exfoliating entirely for a week or two before your session, although depending on your skin, we may instruct you to use a mild exfoliant a couple of days before your visit.
RF microneedling offers lots of benefits on its own, but you may achieve even greater benefits by combining your treatment with serums or platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a substance we create from a sample of your own blood.
PRP contains growth factors that help your skin repair itself, so it looks and feels smoother and firmer. Microneedling creates tiny channels in your skin that allow serums and PRP to penetrate even more deeply for better results over time.
Those tiny channels in your skin let serums penetrate. They let other products penetrate, too. In the first couple of days or so after your treatment, avoid wearing makeup to give your skin a chance to heal and recover and to prevent potential irritation and breakouts.
Stay out of the sun before your treatment to avoid irritation. And avoid the sun for several weeks afterward for the same reason.
Your skin is especially sensitive after RF microneedling, so avoiding the sun helps prevent irritation that can cause discomfort and interfere with your results. When you do go outside, use plenty of sunscreen (yes, even when it’s cloudy or cold).
Your skin thrives on moisture, so after microneedling, adding moisturizer to your skin care routine can extend your results and improve your overall complexion.
If you’re not sure which moisturizer is right for your skin, just ask — we can help. Moisturizers are available for extra dry skin, sensitive skin, and even acne-prone skin. Some contain hyaluronic acid or other solutions to help your skin retain moisture and support its natural protective barrier.
During the first few weeks after your treatment, avoid strong or harsh products or exfoliants that can irritate skin and interrupt the normal healing process. Instead, moisturize regularly, use sunscreen every day, and add serums rich in nutrients to maintain your beautiful results.
Skin is an organ, and like any organ, it responds well to a healthy lifestyle. That means eating a diet that features foods rich in antioxidants while cutting out processed foods and sugary snacks.
Drink plenty of water every day to help your skin stay hydrated, a key part of keeping your complexion looking its best.
Microneedling offers significant benefits for your complexion and your skin health. To learn more about microneedling and its role in helping your skin look and feel its best, book an appointment online or over the phone with our team at Metroderm DC in Washington, DC, today.
