SkinPen microneedling aftercare | Huidzorg Amstelland

At a glance

Visible recovery (downtime)

About 1 day

Red and warm, about 1 day. Dry, flaking skin may follow

Preparation: No retinol, acids or self-tanner for 3 days before
Keeping your skin dry: Keep dry and do not wash for the first 24 hours
Hot showers, sauna, swimming and intense exercise: Not for the first 48 hours
Sun and sunbeds: Avoid for the first 4 weeks after the treatment
Retinol, acids and self-tanner: Use again after 1 week

Retinol, acids (such as glycolic, salicylic and lactic acid), arbutin and self-tanner are also called active ingredients. They irritate the skin. If it says "do not use", skip these products during that period. Plain, mild skincare is usually fine.

Before the treatment

You do not need to remove your make-up beforehand. We do that at the practice before the treatment.
Do not use products with active ingredients for 3 days before the treatment. Examples are self-tanning creams, retinol, arbutin, glycolic acid, salicylic acid and lactic acid.

What to expect

Immediately after the treatment your skin looks red and may feel warm and tingly. This fades after about a day.

Recovery time is short. Flaking and dry skin can occur.

After the treatment you receive a kit with two SkinPen products for the first aftercare. HG Lift is a hydrogel that protects the treated skin and keeps it moist, so it can heal well. Rescue Balm calms the skin and helps reduce the redness.

Recovery step by step

The first 24 hoursKeep your skin dry and do not wash the treated area. Apply the HG Lift, 2 to 4 times. Do not use any other products or make-up.
After 24 hoursYou may apply the Rescue Balm.
After 48 hoursYou may use your normal cream and make-up again.
After 1 weekYou may return to your usual skincare with active ingredients.

After the treatment

Keep your skin dry for the first 24 hours and do not wash the treated area.
For the first 48 hours, avoid strenuous exercise, hot showers, saunas, swimming and baths.
For the first 4 weeks after the treatment, stay out of the sun as much as possible and do not use sunbeds. Use SPF 30 to 50 and reapply it every two hours. At the practice we have SPF products from Dermaceutic and Alpha-H.
Wear a cap or hat to limit sun exposure.
You may feel itching after the treatment. Do not scratch the treated skin.

When should you contact us?

Red, warm or flaking skin is part of recovery. Contact us if you notice any of the following:

The redness and warm feeling do not fade after two days.
You get severe itching, a rash or spots in the treated area after the treatment.
The pain increases or persists instead of fading.
The redness or swelling increases after a few days instead of decreasing.
You see pus or yellow or green crusts, or you develop a fever. These can be signs of an infection.
Blisters or open areas appear that are not described in the recovery on your page.

Frequently asked questions

How long will my skin be red after SkinPen?

About a day. Straight after the treatment your skin is red and may feel warm and tingly. After that your skin may feel dry and flake a little.

How do I use the kit I get?

For the first 24 hours, only apply the HG Lift, 2 to 4 times, and do not use any other products. After 24 hours you may apply the Rescue Balm. After 48 hours you can use your normal cream and make-up again.

Can I wash my face after SkinPen?

Not for the first 24 hours. Keep your skin dry and do not wash the treated area. After that, cleanse your skin with lukewarm water for the first few days.

When can I wear make-up again?

After 48 hours. For the first 24 hours you only use the HG Lift.

When can I exercise, swim or use a sauna again?

After 48 hours. Until then, also avoid very hot showers and baths.

When can I use retinol and acids again?

Do not use products with retinol, arbutin, glycolic acid, salicylic acid or lactic acid, or self-tanner, for 3 days before the treatment and for the first week afterwards. After that you can return to your usual skincare.

How long should I stay out of the sun?

For the first 4 weeks after the treatment. Use SPF 30 to 50, reapply it every two hours and wear a cap or hat. At the practice we have SPF products from Dermaceutic and Alpha-H. You do not need to avoid the sun before the treatment.

My skin itches. Is that normal?

Yes, itching can occur after the treatment. Do not scratch the treated skin. If you get severe itching, a rash or spots in the treated area, contact us.

When should I contact you?

If the redness and warm feeling do not fade after two days, or if you get severe itching, a rash or spots. Also contact us if the pain increases, the redness or swelling increases after a few days, or if you notice pus, yellow or green crusts or a fever. You can reach us by phone, e-mail or WhatsApp.

This is general information. If your therapist has given you different advice, follow that advice.

Aftercare for SkinPen