Can I Wash My Face After Microneedling?
Microneedling was once reserved for those who could afford a trip to the spa or an esthetician’s office.
But these days, some products allow you to microneedle your own skin in the safety of your home.
And what a blessing that is! Microneedling is one of those beauty procedures that actually work to improve your skin, although it sounds a little painful.
Microneedling involves poking your skin with a bunch of tiny sanitary needles, creating “micro-injuries” that prompt your skin to heal naturally.
This natural healing results in a completely renewed complexion.
People swear by microneedling because it reduces the appearance of acne scars, stretch marks, fine lines, and discoloration.
It can brighten your face and make it look younger after just one session.
But as you can imagine, poking your face with a bunch of little needles to create literal wounds can be painful.
You can expect your face to experience some swelling and inflammation.
It is recommended to follow a gentle protocol for a few days to allow your face to heal correctly.
Many people who are new to microneedling wonder what they can and cannot do after the procedure.
Today, we’re going to address one of the most common questions that you’re probably asking yourself:
Can I wash my face after microneedling?
The answer is yes, but you must be cautious and follow a gentle routine. You may need to avoid using your regular products for a few days following your procedure.
In this post, we will cover everything you need to know about washing your face after microneedling to ensure a safe and effective process, yielding optimal results.
Washing Your Face After Microneedling
After microneedling, your face may become slightly red and swollen. Some parts of your skin might even bleed a little.
You’ll probably be tempted to wash your face to relieve some of the swelling and clean off some of the blood or plasma that develops on your skin.
But it’s not a good idea to wash your face right away.
Allow your skin at least 3-4 hours to recover before washing it.
During this 3-to 4-hour window, your skin is most sensitive.
It’s going through some crucial healing steps that should not be interrupted.
Washing your face during this time might lead to more irritation, especially if you rub it or get some soap into your wounds.
It’s best to let it heal naturally and wait it out.
For pain and swelling, take a non-prescription pain reliever. If you’re worried about the way your skin looks right now, take the day off and stay home!
After a few hours, the swelling will subside slightly, and you’ll be able to wash your face once it’s safe to do so.
Use Lukewarm Water After Microneedling
Once the 3-4 hour window is over, you can wash your face.
But you should still be very gentle with your skin at this point.
Don’t use water that is too cold or too hot.
It might be tempting to use cold water to get rid of the irritation on your face, but any shock to your skin isn’t going to be well-tolerated right now.
The same applies to hot water – your skin is already dealing with a lot of heat and inflammation, so adding hot water to the mix will only exacerbate the issue.
Instead, use lukewarm water and gently splash it on your face.
Try not to rub your skin, and definitely avoid using any scrubbing devices or a face cloth.
These things can cause further irritation and pain, and in some cases, can even lead to an infection if your skin gets too damaged.
Remember that your skin is currently healing from numerous micro-injuries, so it requires utmost care.
What Face Washes Can You Use After Microneedling?
If you can avoid using a cleanser this early in the healing process, that would be best.
The first 24 hours after microneedling your face are when your skin is most sensitive.
Using a face wash or a cleanser can further irritate your skin.
However, if you feel that you really need something more substantial than plain water, you can opt for a gentle cleanser, such as this one from CeraVe.
Avoid foaming cleansers, as they contain a lot of sulfates, which can be damaging to your sensitive skin at this time.
You should also avoid acne face wash and exfoliating face wash for the first 48 hours after your microneedling procedure.
Acne washes typically contain salicylic acid, which increases your skin’s turnover rate.
Usually, that’s a good thing, but when your skin is injured, it’s already working at maximum capacity to produce fresh skin cells – you don’t want to push it over the limit.
Exfoliating face washes remove the top layer of your skin, either physically or chemically, which can lead to increased irritation, especially when your skin is healing from microneedling.
Long story short, you’ll want to use a very gentle cleanser for the first 48 hours after microneedling that won’t further irritate or damage the delicate layer of your skin.
When Can You Resume Your Regular Skincare Routine After Microneedling?
After 48 hours have passed, your skin will likely return to its normal state.
The swelling will subside, and your skin won’t look red or puffy anymore; it will probably feel less sensitive than it did.
This is a good sign that you can begin to resume your regular skincare routine.
However, you should use the 48-hour rule more as a guideline than a strict rule.
Everyone’s skin is different and heals at a different rate.
Your priority is to allow your skin to heal fully before you resume your usual skincare products.
This means if your skin is still feeling a little sensitive, you might want to hold off for another day.
As you return to your routine, be mindful of what products you are using.
Some products tend to irritate sensitive skin, so it’s best to hold off on them for a few extra days, just to be safe.
Below are some of the beauty product ingredients you might want to be mindful of:
- Salicylic acid
- Beta hydroxy acid
- Glycolic acid
- Alpha hydroxy acid
- Retinol and its derivatives
- Fragrances
- Sulfates
Most people can begin incorporating these products back into their routine after waiting 48 hours; however, some individuals may need to wait a few days longer.
Try to assess how your skin feels and gauge your response accordingly.
When it comes to washing your face, you can likely use your regular face wash 48 hours after microneedling your face.
Continue to be gentle and avoid rubbing or scrubbing your skin too hard until you’re certain it has fully healed.
What To Do About Dry Skin After Microneedling?
Dry and flaky skin is a common side effect of the healing process after microneedling.
After 2-4 days post-procedure, your old skin will begin to flake off, revealing fresh new baby skin underneath.
Don’t freak out when this happens – it’s normal. This is your skin cells regenerating and shedding the old skin cells.
However, it can be frustrating to walk around with dry, flaky patches on your face.
So, what can you do about it?
As long as your skin is no longer sensitive or irritated, you can begin using gentle exfoliation to remove flaky skin.
The best way to exfoliate dead skin after microneedling is by using physical exfoliants, such as a soft silicone brush or a salt scrub.
Gently rub them over your skin while washing your face in the morning, and make sure to follow up with a rich moisturizer.
By day 5, all your dry skin should be gone, and your skin will have a brighter and smoother complexion.
Final Thoughts
Let’s summarize the most important things you need to remember after microneedling:
- Don’t wash your face or put anything on it for 3-4 hours after the procedure.
- After that, you can begin to wash your face as needed, gently.
- Use lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser for the first 48 hours.
- Avoid any other skincare products for 48 hours.
- Slowly begin reintroducing regular products after the 48-hour window.
- Treat any dry skin with a gentle physical exfoliator and a rich moisturizer.
If you follow these steps, you’ll be able to create the optimal healing environment for your skin after microneedling.
Allowing it to regenerate new skin with minimal pain, irritation, and infection.
If anything happens and your skin appears infected, or if it remains swollen and painful for longer than 48 hours, you may want to consult a doctor to ensure there is no underlying issue.
For most people, microneedling is a safe and effective process that yields gorgeous skin for months to come.
