Microneedling Pre & Post Care

What to Know Before Your Microneedling Treatment

A quick guide for setting expectations, comfort, and confidence

What Microneedling Actually Does

Microneedling uses tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. This triggers your body’s natural healing response, which boosts:

  • Collagen and elastin production
  • Skin texture and tone
  • Reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, and scars
  • Improvement in pore size, stretch marks, and overall glow

This process supports smoother, firmer, more youthful-looking skin—naturally.

 What It Feels Like During the Treatment

  • A topical numbing cream is applied to minimize discomfort.
  • Most clients describe the sensation as light scratching or a sandpaper-like feeling.
  • More sensitive areas (like around the eyes or lips) may feel a little warm or stingy.
  • Treatments usually last 30–60 minutes, depending on the area treated

Risks & Normal Reactions

Most clients experience mild, temporary side effects, which are expected and part of the healing process:

Normal:

  • Redness or flushing (like a sunburn)
  • Mild swelling or tightness
  • Warmth or dryness
  • Light flaking (Days 3–5)
  • Itchiness as skin heals

Rare, but possible:

  • Bruising (especially around eyes or lips)
  • Temporary hyperpigmentation (especially in deeper skin tones)
  • Breakouts or irritation (usually from not following aftercare)
  • Infection (very rare when proper post-care is followed

BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT (Pre-Care)

7 Days Prior

  • Stop: Retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, Exfoliants
  • No: Tanning, waxing, threading, chemical peels
  • Avoid: Fish oil, Aspirin, Alcohol (if safe to do so)

3 Days Prior

  • Stop acne treatments (benzoyl peroxide, etc.)
  • Use gentle cleanser & moisturizer only
  • No Botox, fillers, or lasers in the treatment area

24 Hours Prior

  • No alcohol or caffeine
  • Arrive with a clean face—no makeup or skincare
  • Stay hydrated & eat a light meal

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Microneedling is not recommended if you:

  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Have active acne, open wounds, or cold sores
  • Are immunocompromised or healing poorly
  • Are prone to keloid scarring
  • Have taken Accutane in the last 6 months

Please inform your provider of any medical conditions or medications before treatment.

Medications & Supplements to Avoid (Before Microneedling)

1. Blood Thinners (7 days before)

These increase the risk of pinpoint bleeding and bruising:

  • Aspirin
  • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
  • Naproxen (Aleve)
  • Prescription blood thinners (e.g., Warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto) → Must consult prescribing provider before stopping

2. Supplements That Thin Blood (3–7 days before)

Natural supplements can also cause bruising:

  • Fish oil / Omega-3
  • Vitamin E
  • Ginkgo biloba
  • Garlic (in high amounts)
  • Turmeric
  • St. John’s Wort

3. Anti-inflammatory Medications

  • Avoid NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) for at least 24–48 hours after your treatment. These can interfere with your body’s natural healing process, which is essential for collagen production.

Safe Alternatives for Discomfort (If needed)

  • Tylenol (acetaminophen) is generally safe and does not interfere with healing.

When Can Clients Resume Blood-Thinning Medications & Supplements After Microneedling?

Blood-thinning medications and supplements (like aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, or vitamin E) may be resumed 48–72 hours post-treatment, once skin has calmed.
If you paused a prescribed blood thinner, only resume when cleared by your prescribing provider.

 

 

 Microneedling Post-Care Instructions

Using the Epionce Recovery Kit + Hero SPF 30
Provided by MinnGlow Aesthetics

What to Expect After Microneedling

  • Redness, tightness, and warmth (like sunburn)
  • Mild swelling or sensitivity
  • Slight flaking or dryness. These are normal and resolve within 1–3 days

AFTER YOUR APPOINTMENT (Post-Care)

  • Drink plenty of water
  • Sleep on a clean pillowcase for the first 3 nights post-treatment.
  • Stay patient—collagen takes time!

0–4 Hours Post-Treatment

  • Skin will feel warm, tight, and red
  • Do not apply anything
  • Avoid touching or icing directly
  • No strenuous exercise, sweating, direct sun, or heat exposure

4–8 Hours Post-Treatment/ Night of Treatment

  • Cleanse: Epionce Milky Lotion Cleanser
  • Apply: Epionce Priming Oil
  • Moisturize: Epionce Renewal Calming Cream
  • Use a cold compress (wrapped in clean cloth) after 4 hours if needed.
  • Optional: Enriched Firming Mask for 15–20 min

Day 1 (First Full Day Post-Treatment)

  • Repeat cleanser, oil, and cream in the morning and evening.
  • Optional: Enriched Firming Mask (1–2x)
  • No makeup or sunscreen yet.
  • No strenuous exercise, sweating, direct sun or heat exposure.

Day 2

  • Continue the full skin routine in the morning and evening.
  • If less sensitive, apply: Hero Force Shield SPF 30.
  • No actives or makeup yet.
  • No strenuous exercise, sweating, direct sun or heat exposure.

Day 3–4

  • Mild flaking = normal.
  • Continue the full skin routine + SPF.
  • Mineral makeup allowed if skin tolerates.
  • Resume light activity if skin is no longer red or sensitive.

Day 5–7

  • Gradually resume regular skincare (actives last)
  • Gradually return to full workouts
  • Daily SPF required

Avoid

  • Makeup for 48 hours post-treatment. Use makeup brushes/sponges that are freshly cleaned.
  • Exfoliants for 5-7 days post-treatment
  • Getting facials or skin treatments for at least 7–10 days
  • Tanning (tanning beds and sunbathing) for at least 14 days post-treatment.
  • Alcohol & NSAIDs for at least 24–48 hours post-treatment.
  • Hot water, hot tubs, saunas, strenuous exercise for 48–72 hours.
  • Rubbing, scratching, massaging, picking, or peeling the treated area

When applying skincare, gently pat products into the skin with clean fingertips—do not rub

Contact MinnGlow Aesthetics or Seek Emergency Care If:

  • You notice pus, swelling, or signs of infection.
  • Hives, rash, itching, or shortness of breath
  • Severe or worsening pain

Questions or Concerns?

Joanna Hovorka, RN
218-610-9595
minnglowaesthetics@gmail.com
Instagram: @minnglowaesthetics

 

How Long Should You Follow the Post-Care Routine?

Continue your gentle post-care routine for at least 5–7 days, or until your skin is fully healed:

  • No redness
  • No Flaking
  • No Irritation or Sensitivity.

After that:

  • You may resume your normal skincare gradually:
    • Start with gentle products
    • Reintroduce actives one at a time (retinol, acids, etc.)

Continue daily sunscreen use to protect your results, even if you're indoors most of the time. Ideally, make it a lifelong habit—but at minimum, apply SPF daily for at least 2 weeks post-treatment

 

What Are “Actives” in Skincare?

“Actives” are powerful ingredients in skincare that actively change your skin, like boosting cell turnover, treating acne, or brightening pigmentation. While they’re great under normal circumstances, they can be too harsh after microneedling and may irritate or damage your healing skin.

Common Actives to Avoid (Until Day 5–7 or as advised):

  • Retinoids (Retin-A, tretinoin, adapalene, retinol)
  • Exfoliating Acids (AHAs like glycolic/lactic, BHAs like salicylic)
  • Vitamin C (especially L-ascorbic acid)
  • Benzoyl Peroxide (used in acne treatments)
  • Hydroquinone (pigmentation fading)
  • Strong Niacinamide (10%+ can sometimes trigger irritation)

 

When to Resume Actives:

Once your skin is fully healed, calm, and flake-free (usually Day 5–7), you can slowly reintroduce actives—one at a time, starting with low strength

When Can Clients Resume Blood-Thinning Medications & Supplements After Microneedling?

Blood-thinning medications and supplements (like aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, or vitamin E) may be resumed 48–72 hours post-treatment, once skin has calmed.
If you paused a prescribed blood thinner, only resume when cleared by your prescribing provider.

When Should You Book Your Next Microneedling Session?

For best results, microneedling is done in a series of 3–6 treatments, spaced:

Every 4–6 weeks

This allows time for collagen to rebuild and skin to fully recover between sessions.