Microneedling

• Discontinue retinoids and exfoliating acids 5 days prior to treatment.
• Avoid excessive sun exposure, tanning beds, and self-tanner for 1 week prior. Tanned or burned skin cannot be treated.
• If medically safe for you, avoid alcohol for 24 hours and minimize blood-thinning supplements (fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo) for 3 to 5 days prior to reduce pinpoint bleeding and bruising. Never stop a prescription medication (including blood thinners) without approval from your prescribing physician.
• If you have a history of cold sores (herpes simplex), let us know when booking. An outbreak can be triggered by treatment, and a preventive antiviral prescription can be arranged through our nurse practitioner.
• Avoid waxing, laser, or depilatories on the treatment area for 1 week prior.
• Please disclose isotretinoin (Accutane) use now or within the past 6 months.

Arrive with clean skin and no makeup. A topical numbing cream is applied for 20 to 30 minutes before treatment, so the procedure itself feels like light sandpaper vibration rather than pain. Expect your skin to be pink to red when you leave, similar to a moderate sunburn.

• Redness, warmth, tightness, and mild swelling for 24 to 72 hours are normal. Pinpoint flaking may follow around day 3.
• Do not touch, pick, or scratch the treated skin. Keep hands and phone screens clean.
• No makeup for 24 hours (ideally 48). Use clean brushes and applicators when you resume.
• Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, hot tubs, and pools for 48 hours; sweat and heat can irritate open microchannels.
• Use only the gentle cleanser and moisturizer recommended by your provider for the first 72 hours.
• No retinoids or exfoliating acids for 5 to 7 days.
• Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily and avoid direct sun for at least 1 week.
• Collagen remodeling continues for 4 to 6 weeks; most protocols recommend a series of 3 or more sessions spaced about 4 weeks apart for best results.

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Microneedling and injected serums are deferred until after.
• Isotretinoin (Accutane) within the past 6 months: Healing may be impaired; treatment is deferred.
• Active acne cysts, infection, cold sores, or open wounds in the area: Treatment is postponed until fully resolved.
• Bleeding or clotting disorders, or anticoagulant therapy: Please disclose; treatment may not be suitable.
• History of keloid or hypertrophic scarring: Collagen induction may not be appropriate; requires assessment.
• Immunosuppression or active chemotherapy/radiation: Impaired healing increases risk of complications.
• Uncontrolled diabetes or systemic illness affecting healing: Requires assessment before treatment.