Microneedling in Chicago can be a wonderful way to stimulate your body’s collagen production process and improve your overall skin health. To make your treatment a success, however, you need to be well-prepared. One thing you must do is know what things to avoid prior to your appointment. Here are some activities and products that you should steer clear of in the time period leading up to your microneedling session:

Products that Can Irritate Skin

Microneedling creates tiny wounds in your skin. Any redness or irritation you experience as a result of it is likely to be worse if you have been using certain products before your appointment. Such products include anything that can irritate your skin, including exfoliants, topical retinoids, and topical acids. Under normal circumstances, these items can be beneficial for your skin health, but it is best to take them out of your skincare regimen for at least several days prior to microneedling.

Certain Oral Medications

A few medications that you should not take before your microneedling appointment include:

• Accutane. This is often used to address acne. However, the way it affects your skin may have negative consequences for microneedling. You should not take it in the six months before undergoing microneedling.
• Anti-inflammatory medications. Microneedling works, in part, because it causes inflammation. Anti-inflammatories interfere with its efficacy and should not be taken shortly before your appointment.
• Blood thinners. Ibuprofen, aspirin, and certain supplements can thin your blood or slow down clotting time. They can increase the chance that microneedling will cause bleeding, so they should be avoided in the week before your appointment.

Sun Exposure

Sun exposure can irritate the skin and even cause burns, which may lead to discomfort during microneedling or interfere with your results. During the week before your appointment, try to avoid the sun to the extent possible. When you do go outside, be sure to wear a hat as well as an appropriate amount of topical SPF.

Hair Removal Treatments

Waxing, shaving, laser hair removal, depilatory creams, and plucking can all irritate the skin and are thus contraindications for microneedling. You should avoid any such treatments during the week before your appointment. If you are concerned about unwanted facial hair, you may find it beneficial to get waxed at least 8 days or so before your microneedling session.

Laser Treatments

Laser skin treatments can do much to help you achieve a youthful appearance. However, they can cause irritation and redness, especially if they are combined with sun exposure. You should wait at least a few weeks after a laser treatment before you undergo microneedling.

Microneedling can be a powerful part of your anti-aging regimen, but in order for it to work well, it should not occur shortly after you are exposed to skin irritants or take certain medications. Your microneedling team will be happy to give you more detailed instructions on how to make your treatment a success.

Meet the Practice

Dr. Irvin Wiesman is an experienced plastic surgeon who offers a range of cosmetic services in Chicago, including microneedling, facials, and more. If you are interested in exploring your options for improving your skin’s health and appearance, our team would be pleased to speak with you. Contact us at 312-981-1291.