What to expect after each treatment:

 

Skin Needling stimulates your body to produce natural collagen and elastin, which continues for up to 12 weeks after your treatment. Individual results vary, with some patients noticing a discernible difference within a few weeks and others needing several treatments. However, your results will continue to improve months after your initial treatment and will last until your skin goes through its natural ageing process. Burn scars are slow to respond.

 

All after effects last a couple of days, however depending on the depth of penetration of the needles they can last longer.

Redness, sensitivity and slight swelling: Following your treatment, you can expect some redness and slight swelling around the areas that have been treated.

 

Redness should reduce within 24 hours, but may last up to 72 hours. Warm heated skin/sunburn sensation: Your skin may feel warm to touch immediately after your procedure.

 

Your skin may feel warm to touch, like a mild sunburn sensation. This should last no longer than a day or two.

 

Dry and flaky skin: 3-5 after your skin may become a little dry and flaky. The skin may look and feel like sandpaper; these effects generally last 2-7 days as the treated skin flakes off and is replaced by new tissue. This is a completely normal process due to the dead skin cells being stimulated upwards. Avoid picking the skin and apply moisturiser 2-3 times per day. Once this process is finished your skin will feel softer and look radiant, as though you have had a great exfoliation.

 

Tightness: You will feel a mild tightness on the treated area. This will subside over the next few days.

 

Itching and discomfort: There may be itching of the skin. Avoid scratching the skin.

 

Bruising and scratching/scabbing: You may notice slight scratching or needle bruising. This will reduce over the next 24 – 48 hours.

 

Red, purple or brown dots (Petechiae): The appearance of petechiae or small blood blisters is common and perfectly normal around areas of thinner skin such as the forehead, nose, eye area. These usually disappear within 3-4 days. Petechiae are formed when tiny blood vessels called capillaries break open. When these blood vessels break, blood leaks into your skin.

 

Other effects (not common): Darkening of the treated area.

 

Are there any side effects from skin needling?

 

Generally, the treated areas recover rapidly from skin needling. However, there are occasional side effects, which include:

 

o Oozing and swelling during the recovery phase

o Skin infection with bacteria (rare) or herpes simplex virus (cold sores)

o Milia, which can be easily removed

o Acne flare, which is usually mild.

 

If you have suffered in the past with cold sores on the skin or lips, please advise your cosmetic practitioner prior to treatment as this viral infection may be re-activated by a Dermapen skin needling treatment.

 

What to avoid:

 

Ø Avoid sun exposure/tan beds: Your skin will be much more sensitive to the sun for several weeks after your treatment. To prevent adverse effects, you must stay out of the sun at all times for at least 3 weeks because the area treated will be more prone to burning and increased pigmentation with the development of brown blotches and freckling during this period.

 

We do not advise the use of sunscreen immediately after the procedure as the skin channels are completely open and will absorb anything that is applied. However, you can apply a mineral sunscreen once the skin has healed over and daily for 1-3 weeks after treatment.

 

Ø Do not use skin products containing ‘active ingredients’: The procedure will leave your skin in a highly sensitive state, so we recommend that you avoid all skin care products that contain any kind of ‘active ingredients’ such as retinol, alpha hydroxyl acids, beta hydroxy acid, glycolic acid and Vitamin C. Do not use any exfoliants, as this may damage the new skin and introduce bacteria leading to skin infections.

 

Ø Do not go swimming for at least 48 hours post-treatment: Bacteria and chlorine can cause infections to the skin.

 

Ø Do not apply spray tanning or fake tanning creams for 2-3 weeks after the treatment.

 

Ø Avoid using makeup after the treatment: Don’t apply any kind of makeup for at least 24 hours to 48 hours after the procedure as it’s important to allow your skin barrier to heal over. Using make up brushes can irritate the open skin and if there’s any bacteria on the brushes you run the risk of developing a skin infection.

 

Ø Avoid activities or situations that make you sweat: The treatment will cause heat in the skin as a natural stage of healing. If you sweat or partake in any activities that make you hot, it will create further unwanted heat in the skin. It may also allow bacteria to penetrate the skin. This can lead to infection, extended redness or an adverse skin reaction. No exercising or strenuous activity for the first 24 hours post-treatment.

 

Ø Do not take any anti-inflammatory medications: Prior to and immediately after you should avoid the use of anti-inflammatory medications, such as Ibuprofen, as they will interfere with the natural inflammatory process that is needed for optimum skin rejuvenation.

 

Ø Avoid any further skin treatments: Microdermabrasion, laser, IPL

 

What products to use/do:

 

Use Fibroblast Skin and Beauty Aftercare: 100% Hyaluronic Acid serum can moisturise the skin and help hydrate and retain the water levels in the skin post-treatment. Combine with a repair cream for intense moisture.

 

Use a gentle cleanser: In place of active products, a very mild cleanser and barrier cream is recommended to keep your skin clean and soothe any resultant dry skin and flakiness

 

Use collagen stimulating peptides: Collagen stimulating peptides will help your skin to prepare and recover from the procedure. These peptides work by aiding in the stimulation of collagen production and intensify the effects of the skin needling treatment.

 

Apply a cooling face mask: You may experience some skin irritation following skin needling, therefore we recommend the use of a cooling face mask to reduce inflammation and redness and to make your skin feel more comfortable.

 

Drink plenty of water: Drink plenty of water both before and after the procedure. Keeping well hydrated will assist in faster healing and skin rejuvenation.

 

Once the skin has healed, use sunscreen: While it’s important to give the sunscreen a miss for the first few days following the procedure, we do advise that you use a broad-spectrum sunscreen once your skin has healed, to prevent unwanted pigmentation and sun damage.