Microneedling aftercare: the first 48 hours

What your skin may do

Microneedling makes tiny channels in the top of the skin, so your skin may look pink and feel sensitive for 24 to 48 hours. Everyone is different, and some people notice it more than others.

Possible side effects include redness, dryness, flaking, pinpoint bleeding and breakouts. Rarely, there can be changes in pigmentation or scarring. Nhu goes through these with you before you agree to anything, and it is worth asking her then about anything you are unsure of.

The first 24 hours: no make-up

Avoid make-up for 24 hours after your appointment. It helps to plan for this before you book: a morning appointment on a working day means going back to work without make-up, and an evening out that night is off the list.

Ask Nhu what to cleanse with and what to put on your skin during this time, and keep to what she tells you rather than adding your usual products out of habit.

The first 48 hours: sun, heat, water and exercise

For 48 hours, stay away from direct sun, saunas, swimming and intense exercise. Most of this is easy to arrange if you look at your diary first.

Check for a regular gym class, a swimming lesson, a spa day or a day outdoors in the two days after your appointment, and move one or the other. If your job keeps you outside, or you are going on holiday somewhere sunny, tell Nhu when you book so she can talk through the timing with you.

From then on: SPF every day

Use SPF daily afterwards. The consent form gives no end date for this, so treat it as part of your routine and not as something for the first week only.

If you are not sure which product to use, ask Nhu at your appointment.

Going back to your usual skincare

Before an appointment, Nhu asks you to stop retinol, exfoliants and acids for a few days. When to start them again depends on your skin, so ask her before you leave and write the answer down. Do not guess, and do not go back to them early because your skin feels fine.

Do not stop any prescribed medication or treatment because of an appointment. Speak to whoever prescribed it, and tell Nhu what you take.

When to get in touch

If something worries you while your skin settles, contact Nhu and tell her what you are seeing and when it started.

If it feels urgent, or you feel unwell, do not wait for a reply: contact your GP or NHS 111.

Planning around an event

If you have a wedding, a holiday or a photo day coming up, tell Nhu the date before you book. She can talk through timing with you, and may suggest another date. If you would like to talk it over first, a 30-minute consultation is £30, and the booking menu always shows the current price and any deposit.