Microneedling is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that stimulates your blood circulation. It’s typically done to improve the appearance of scars and increase collagen production. Microneedlingin a clinical environment takes several hours to prepare for and undergo.

Something that isn’t often discussed is the aftercare necessary after the procedure. Microneedling actually punctures your skin, so you need to take steps to protect your skin barrier as it heals. Even if you’re microneedling at home, you’ll still need to take extra care of your skin in the days after performing the treatment.

Keep reading to learn more about what to expect after microneedling and how to take care of your skin afterward.

What to expect

After you have a microneedling procedure, some side effects are to be expected. When you leave your appointment, your skin may be flushed or bright red, as if you have spent the entire day out in the sun and have a mild to moderate sunburn.

The redness and swelling will most likely persist for 24 hours or slightly longer. Even with careful aftercare, there isn’t much you can do to get rid of the redness immediately after microneedling.

Covering up the redness with makeup is one of the worst things you can do, as the makeup will block the pores on your newly exposed skin and might even cause breakouts. You’ll need to have some patience as the redness subsides, but in the meantime, you can apply gentle, unscented products with natural ingredients to get some relief.

Swelling and some skin peeling are all considered to be within the realm of normal up to 48 hours after the procedure. Other side effects, like bumps, breakouts, and dry skin, are also within the scope of what you may experience after microneedling, but not everyone will experience them.

Taking care of your skin with moisturizer and gentle cleansers can make your side effects as minimal as possible.

Aftercare tips

Your doctor should provide detailed instructions on what to do after microneedling. The instructions may be based specifically on your medical history or skin type, so make sure to follow them carefully.

As a general rule, you should reach for sunscreen constantly for the first 2 weeks after microneedling. Make sure to apply sunscreen anytime you go outside in the days following your treatment.

Don’t spend prolonged time out in the sun for the first week after your microneedling procedure, as you’ll be more prone to sun damage than usual.

Use any topical antibiotic cream that your doctor prescribes to avoid infection.

Wash your hands before you touch your face.

Don’t put on makeup, especially with a makeup brush that has been used before, in the 24 hours following microneedling.

You’ll also need to avoid swimming pools, saunas, and situations where you might sweat heavily, including intense workouts at the gym, to protect your newly treated skin. After 72 hours have passed, you may be able to resume these activities.

What to use and avoid

For the first few days after your microneedling procedure, you’ll need to avoid any skin care product that contains harsh chemicals meant to exfoliate. Avoid anything that’s scented, and don’t use glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy acids.

Retinol A and vitamin C serum should be avoided for the first 48 hours, minimum, after microneedling. Once 2 full days have passed, you might want to gradually add products back into your daily beauty routine instead of doing your usual regimen, especially if you use products that have strong anti-aging formulas.

Be sure to run any cleansers, toners, or scrubs that you plan to apply in the 2 to 3 days after microneedling by your provider to make sure the ingredients won’t worsen side effects.

Hyaluronic acid can be usedTrusted Source following microneedling, and it’s even recommended in some cases to help stimulate collagen production after your procedure.

If your skin is feeling dry, it’s generally safe to apply coconut oil as an emollient to lock in moisture and hydrate your face after microneedling. Diluted, alcohol-free witch hazel may also be used to cleanse dry skin. Stick to using gentle, natural ingredients that you’re familiar with.

Recovery

The redness that you experience from microneedling will mostly fade within 48 hoursTrusted Source. Other symptoms, such as peeling and breakouts, might take slightly longer to resolve.

Most of the visible recovery from microneedling happens in the first day or two after treatment, but healing will still be happening under the surface of your skin for up to 2 monthsTrusted Source afterward.

When to see a doctor

Microneedling is generally consideredTrusted Source to be a very low-risk procedure. Occasionally, side effects can escalate and require medical attention. Symptoms to look out for include:

fever over 100.4°F (38°C)

nausea

hives

yellow or green discharge

bleeding

headache

Infections caused by microneedling do happenTrusted Source, often when instruments that aren’t properly sterilized are used on your skin. Allergic reactions to the needles used for microneedling are also possible.

Things to consider

It’s normal to notice irritation or swelling after getting inked. But tattoo reactions can go beyond simple irritation. Skin can swell, itch, and ooze with pus.

Most allergic reactions are tied to certain inks. This hypersensitivity often presents as contact dermatitis or photosensitivity.

You can usually treat mild cases at home. But if your symptoms persist — or are more severe from the start — you’ll need to see a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.

Read on to find out what symptoms to watch for, how to tell the difference between an allergy and an infection, your options for treatment, and more.

How to identify an allergic reaction

Allergy symptoms vary by severity. Some are simply skin-deep and resolve in a few days.

Mild allergic reactions can cause:

• itching
• rashes or bumps
• redness or irritation
• skin flaking
• swelling or fluid buildup around tattoo ink
• scaly skin around tattoo
• skin tags or nodules

More severe reactions can affect your entire body. See a doctor or other healthcare provider if you begin to experience:

• intense itching or burning around the tattoo
• pus or drainage oozing from the tattoo
• hard, bumpy tissue
• chills or hot flashes
• fever

Seek emergency medical help if you develop swelling around your eyes or have difficulty breathing.

What’s the difference between an allergy and an infection?

Although the symptoms are often similar, there are a few key differences that may help you distinguish between the two.

Allergic reaction

These symptoms only affect the skin near your tattoo. Think localized itching, burning, swelling, and redness. You shouldn’t have any allover symptoms.

If the ink is to blame, your symptoms will only appear around the offending pigment. Red ink is the most common allergen.

Often, your symptoms will only last for a few days. In some cases, symptoms may last for a few weeks before disappearing entirely.

Infection

Infection can also cause redness, irritation, and itching, but these symptoms typically extend beyond the tattooed area.

Surface symptoms may be present in addition to those that affect your entire body, such as fever or chills.

Infection symptoms also tend to last much longer — anywhere from a few days to a week or more.

Are there different types of reactions to tattoos?

Not all tattoo reactions are the same. Your reaction could result from:

• an immune system response
• a skin condition
• overexposure to light or other allergens

Acute inflammatory reactions

You don’t have to be allergic to the ink or other materials to have reactions to tattoos. Sometimes, the process itself can irritate your skin.

Many people experience mild redness, swelling, and itching after getting a tattoo. These symptoms typically clear up within a couple of weeks.

Photosensitivity

The ingredients in certain inks can react with sunlight or other bright lights. This can cause swelling, redness, and itchy bumps.

Yellow, black, red, and blue inks are the most common offenders.

Dermatitis

If you’re allergic to the ink itself, you may develop symptoms of contact dermatitis. This includes swelling, itching, and flaking.

Contact dermatitis is often associated with red inks.

Granulomas

A number of ink ingredients are known to cause granulomas, or red bumps. These ingredients include:

• mercury salts
• iron oxides
• cobalt chloride
• manganese

Overall, they’re most commonly tied to red inks.

Lichenoid reactions

A lichenoid reaction happens when small, discolored bumps appear around where the ink was injected. It’s most common with red inks.

These bumps aren’t usually irritating or itchy, but they can appear beyond the area where ink was injected.

Pseudolymphomatous reactions

If your symptoms don’t immediately appear after getting your tattoo, you may be experiencing a pseudolymphomatous reaction. It’s usually in response to red inks.

In these cases, rash, red skin growths, or other irritation may not appear for  afterward.