SkinPen Microneedling Care Instructions

Avoid blood thinners and NSAIDs. Stop aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and similar NSAIDs 3–7 days before treatment. If you take prescription blood thinners, do not stop without speaking to your prescribing physician first. 

Pause blood-thinning supplements such as vitamin E, fish oil/omega-3s, ginkgo, and ginseng for 7–10 days prior. If any of these are medically necessary, check with your prescribing physician before stopping. 

Avoid alcohol for 24–48 hours before your treatment to minimize redness and swelling. 

Pause retinoids and active topicals. Stop retinol, Retin-A, glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids, vitamin C, and exfoliants on the treatment area for 3–5 days prior. 

Avoid sun exposure and tanning. No sunburn, tanning beds, or self-tanner for 1–2 weeks before treatment. 

Avoid waxing, depilatories, and electrolysis in the treatment area for 5–7 days prior. 

Separate neurotoxin and filler in the same area by 2 weeks before microneedling. 

Set yourself up for success. Hydrate well in the 24–48 hours leading up to your appointment, eat a light meal beforehand to keep you comfortable, and arrive with clean skin—no makeup, SPF, or product on the treatment area. 

Disclose your full history with your provider, including every medication, supplement, allergy, prior cosmetic treatment, and any history of cold sores. 

If you have a history of cold sores, let your provider know in advance—antiviral prophylaxis may be recommended. 

Plan ahead. Expect 24–72 hours of redness and rough texture, and schedule accordingly around events. 

Reschedule if needed. Cold sores, infection, sunburn, illness, or open skin in the treatment area requires postponement. 

Inform your provider if you are currently taking or have taken isotretinoin (Accutane) or similar medications in the past 12 months. 

Use only provider-approved post-care products for the first 72 hours. 

Wash your face at night after treatment. When you do, use gentle cleansing only—a mild cleanser with lukewarm water. Pat dry, and no scrubbing. 

Avoid makeup on the treatment area for 24 hours. 

Pause active ingredients—retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, vitamin C, and exfoliants—for 5–7 days. 

Avoid exercise or sweating for 24–48 hours. 

Avoid heat, including saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, hot yoga, and tanning beds, for 72 hours. 

Avoid swimming in pools, lakes, and oceans for 72 hours. 

Hands off—no touching, picking, or peeling the skin. 

Protect your skin from the sun. Wear SPF 30+ daily after 24 hours post-treatment. 

Reintroduce actives slowly. Restart retinoids, acids, and vitamin C only after 5–7 days, as tolerated. 

Avoid other facial treatments—peels, lasers, additional microneedling, RF, or ultrasound—for 2 weeks. Professional facials and facial massage should also wait 2 weeks. 

Hold neurotoxin and filler in the treated area for 2 weeks unless directed by your provider. 

Stay hydrated and prioritize gentle skincare while your skin heals and remodels. 

Redness similar to a mild sunburn, usually resolving within 24–72 hours. 

Sandpaper-like or rough texture for 24–72 hours as the skin begins to heal. 

Mild swelling during the first 24 hours. 

Tightness, dryness, or light flaking and peeling between days 2–5 as the skin remodels. 

Pinpoint bleeding is common. 

Mild itching as your skin heals—do not scratch. 

Pain that is worsening or not controlled by Tylenol. 

Redness or swelling that increases after 72 hours rather than improving. 

Signs of infection, including spreading redness, warmth, drainage, pus, fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills. 

A cold sore outbreak in or near the treatment area. 

Hives, intense itching, or a rash that does not resolve. 

New skin discoloration—dark spots, white patches, or persistent unevenness beyond 1–2 weeks. 

Open, weeping, or non-healing areas after 72 hours. 

Burning or stinging that does not subside within 24 hours.