How To Prepare Your Skin Before Dermarolling?

It’s 2020 and taking care of our skin has never been a more scrupulous act. We all have been home due to the lockdown situation. So, as we practice social distancing during the pandemic, why not adopt a new normal, including skin and hair maintenance. Why stick to the old monotonous routines of just use face lotion and cleanser. Perhaps, it is time to try out the famous microneedling at home. Keep on reading to find out how to prepare your skin before dermarolling.

Micro-needling or dermarolling is a safe natural, holistic alternative for resurfacing the skin using microneedles. It is increasing in popularity due to its relatively low cost, ease of procedure, and host of benefits.. When combined with the right skincare routine, this treatment can improve wrinkles, large pores, scars, stretch marks and overall skin appearance by stimulating the production of new collagen and growth factors.

Dermarolling is performed by a device called a dermaroller that is an FDA-approved electronic device that is used to rejuvenate the skin by reducing fine lines, expression lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, and acne scars.

At this time of lockdown, there’s has been a trend of microneedling at home because of the salons being closed. Before performing microneedling, one must take care of the skin before and after doing so to ensure a proper recovery. In this article, we have compiled a list of instructions to follow before and after the procedure.

Prepare Your Skin Before Derma-Rolling

It is really important to prepare your skin before performing dermarolling. Prepping your skin maximizes the benefits and ensures a proper recovery. Healthy skin will respond better and results will last longer. It is important to prepare your skin for dermarolling 4-6 weeks prior to the treatment. One main point for the pre-treatment skin care is to avoid over-exfoliation or anything that’s a little bit harsher. The  skin should be in its most calm state beforehand.

Pre-treatment Instructions:

• Discontinue the use of any forms of Retinols you are using like Retin A, Vitamin A creams. Stop using these 3-5 days before your micro needling treatment.

• It is a must to use a sunscreen daily

• Stop using Accutane for atleast 6 months before the microneedling treatment.

• Avoid using topical agents that may increase the skin sensitivity like retinoids, topical antibiotics, exfoliants, exfoliants masks, acids that may be drying or irritating to the skin (such as  salicylic acids, alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) beta hydroxyl acids (BHA),  hydroquinone, and benzoyl peroxide acne products) 5-7 days prior to the treatment.

• Use a gentle cleanser for washing your face. Apply serums and moisturizers containing hyaluronic acid to increase the skin’s moisture content.

• Do not take any anti-inflammatory medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for 3 days prior to treatment. It will interfere with the skin’s natural inflammatory process that is essential for your skin rejuvenation.

• Avoid IPL/Laser procedures, unprotected sun exposure or sunburn for 2 weeks prior.

• Donot wax, OR use depilatory creams to area being treated 5-7 days prior. Donot shave the area on the day of the procedure to avoid skin irritation. If there’s a need to shave, do it a day before the procedure.

• If you want to use longer needles that draws blood out. Avoid blood thinning agents such as aspirin, fish oil, Omega-3, Vitamin E for 1 week prior.

Post-Procedure Instructions:

• After you’ve had microneedling, your skin is like a sponge because it will soak up everything pretty quickly, so you want to apply the best serums to keep it moist and hydrated. Use a hyaluronic acid mask for 5-10 min and then apply a gentle moisturizer.

• Donot wash you face immediately after the procedure. Wash it after a few hours. Use gentle cleanser.

• For at least 2 hours post treatment, do NOT use any Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Beta Hydroxy Acid, Retinol (Vitamin A), Vitamin C (in a low pH formula.

• Avoid intentional and direct sunlight for 24 hours. After 24 hours, always use a sun screen SPF30 or above. When exposed to sun, wear a hat and apply sunscreen every 2 hours. Don’t use tanning beds.

• Avoid swimming for at least 24 hours post-treatment.

• Don’t exercise or any strenuous activity for the first 24 hours after treatment.

• After 48 to 72 hours, you can return to your regular skincare regimen. Retinol products are strongly suggested to use for the best results. Avoid alcohol-based toners for 10-14 days. Use loads of moisturizer to prevent the skin from cracking and ensuring proper healing.