Why gentle face wash is important
One of the biggest mistakes people make after a microneedling treatment is to jump back into their normal skin care routine. Because your skin is actively healing, it’s more sensitive than usual and can be easily irritated by harsh actives like exfoliating acids, retinoids, oils, and scented products.
If you receive microneedling treatment with PRP or PRF, some health care providers recommend not washing your face for up to 24 hours to give the growth factors and topical medications applied to your skin more time to absorb and work effectively. Always follow your healthcare provider’s specific aftercare instructions.
“It’s really important to talk to your health care provider about retinol, because I don’t think people really understand what retinol actually does to their skin,” Gardner said. “Vitamin A products basically accelerate the process by which the skin sloughs off and flakes off. So if you use such vitamin A products on damaged skin, you’re going to have a reaction.”
The same caution applies to many cleansers that contain exfoliating acids, scrubs, or strong fragrances. Instead, experts usually recommend using mild, non-stripping formulas that cleanse without interrupting the healing process.
It is also best to avoid using oil-based cleansers for the first few days after microneedling insertion. Because skin is highly absorbent and has a temporarily compromised barrier, heavy or oil-based products can trap debris or introduce irritants while the skin is still healing.
Overall, it’s usually best to use water-based products that are very gentle so that your skin can soothe and heal without unnecessary stress or disruption.
