Microneedling Pre-Care & Aftercare: Dermapen4 Instructions

Before Your Treatment

Preparation starts a few weeks out. The goal is to arrive with calm, unirritated, untanned skin.

• Drink adequate amounts of water.
• Avoid direct sun exposure for 2 to 4 weeks prior to your treatment.
• Apply a daily sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater and reapply as needed.
• Passive sun exposure is acceptable, but tanning either outside or in a tanning bed is not. You cannot be treated if you have a sunburn, recently tanned, or sunless tanner on your skin.
• Avoid the following active ingredients in treatment areas 7 days prior to treatment: topical retinoids such as Retin-A, tretinoin, and adapalene, along with vitamin C, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid. If you are concerned about any of the products you are using, please ask your provider.
• If you have had other skin rejuvenation procedures in the past month, please discuss this with your provider to ensure adequate spacing of treatments.
• Avoid filler for 1 month prior to treatment, as the effects of microneedling on filler are unknown.
• Botox can be performed 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after microneedling.
• Avoid unnecessary blood-thinning medications such as NSAIDs like ibuprofen, but please take all medications that are prescribed by your primary physician as you normally would.
• Come with clean, product-free skin and loose-fitting clothes over all treatment areas.
• If you have a history of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in any treatment areas, notify your provider, as pre-treatment with an anti-viral medication will be required. Your provider will give specific instructions.
• Notify your provider of all medications you are taking, as some medications can be photosensitizing.
• We recommend you wait at least 6 months after isotretinoin (Accutane) treatment before having a microneedling procedure.

The First 24 to 48 Hours

Immediately after treatment your skin has thousands of tiny micro-channels. Healing begins right away, so the goal is to protect, hydrate, and avoid irritation in the first few days.

• Keep skin clean and very gentle. If cleansing is allowed by your provider, use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and tepid water. We recommend CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, DP Dermaceuticals, or Neora Age IQ cleanser.
• Use a cool compress to ease warmth or irritation if needed.
• Allow the skin to breathe and avoid makeup for at least 24 to 48 hours.
• Hydrate with a light, hydrating moisturizer that contains no active ingredients, to reduce tightness, dryness, or flaking. We recommend DP moisturizer, Neora Age IQ, Vanicream, or Alastin® Regenerating Skin Nectar.

What to Avoid While You Heal

• Active skincare such as retinol, vitamin C, acids (AHA/BHA), exfoliants, or benzoyl peroxide for several days. These can irritate healing skin.
• Exercise that induces sweating, hot showers, saunas, swimming, or excessive heat for 24 to 72 hours.
• Touching, scratching, or picking at flaking skin. Let it come off naturally.

Days 3 Through 7

• Continue gentle hydration and barrier-supporting moisturizers.
• Introduce broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily to protect vulnerable new skin from sun damage. Sunscreen is essential.
• After redness and sensitivity subside, you can gradually reintroduce actives, only as advised by your clinician. Timeframes vary person to person and depend on needle depth.

Frequently Asked Questions