Skin Needling Pre & Post Care | Skin Wellness Academy

Mature woman applying a skincare product in front of a mirror

Your Skin Needling treatment is customised to your skin, your concerns and your personalised plan within our Skin Transformation System. The treatment itself is only one part of the process: how you prepare your skin beforehand, and care for it afterwards, can influence your comfort, recovery and results. This guide covers Dermapen 4 Skin Needling and Dr Spicule bio-microneedling.

Quick care reminder

Hydrate: keep your skin calm, clean and well hydrated.
Keep cool: avoid excessive heat, sweating, saunas and hot showers while your skin is recovering.
No actives: avoid active and resurfacing skincare for a minimum of 5 days, and until your skin has fully healed.
SPF 50+: protect your skin from UV every day.

Before your treatment

For about 3 to 5 days before your appointment: avoid retinol and prescription vitamin A, AHA and BHA acids, scrubs and exfoliating products, and other strong or irritating active skincare. Keep your skin well hydrated.
Avoid significant sun exposure, tanning, and treatments that may irritate or compromise your skin.
Let your Dermal Clinician know if you have active breakouts or skin infections, cold sores, or broken or irritated skin, or if you have recently started a medication, had another cosmetic procedure, become pregnant or had a change in your health.
Dr Spicule: avoid arriving with irritated or compromised skin.
Numbing cream: Dermapen 4 is designed to minimise discomfort and we don't routinely recommend numbing cream; most clients tolerate treatment very well. The choice is yours. If you would like to use numbing cream, discuss it with us before your appointment so we can give you the right instructions.

On the day

Most clients describe Dermapen 4 as vibration, scratching or prickling. Bony areas such as the forehead may feel more noticeable, and intensity depends on the treatment depth. Your Dermal Clinician monitors your skin and comfort throughout.
Immediately after Dermapen 4, your skin may look pink or red and feel warm, tight, tender, slightly swollen and sensitive or prickly, similar to mild sunburn.

After your treatment: the first 24–48 hours

Dermapen 4, first 24 to 48 hours: redness and warmth should settle gradually. Your skin may still feel warm, tight or sensitive to touch. Deeper or more corrective treatments can create a stronger response.
Hydration is your priority. Use the hydrating serum and moisturiser your Dermal Clinician recommends, reapply through the day when needed, and lightly mist with a clean, clinician-approved hydrating mist. Avoid introducing new skincare products while your skin recovers.
Ideally avoid makeup for the first 24 hours. After that, once redness and sensitivity have settled, use mineral makeup only while your skin recovers. Wash your hands first and use freshly cleaned brushes and applicators; avoid old sponges and dirty brushes. Dp Dermaceuticals Cover Recover may be used when your Dermal Clinician recommends it.
For at least the first 24 to 48 hours, avoid saunas, steam rooms, spas, very hot showers, excessive heat, vigorous exercise and heavy sweating. If your skin still feels hot, red or sensitive after 48 hours, keep avoiding these until it settles.
Avoid swimming in chlorinated pools, spas and the ocean while your skin is freshly treated and recovering.

The following days and weeks

Days 2 to 5: dryness and flaking are very common. Your skin may feel dry, rough, tight, slightly itchy and more sensitive than usual. Do not scrub, exfoliate or pick away dry or flaking skin; let it shed naturally.
Days 5 to 7: most skin is settling well by now, but everyone heals differently. Don't restart your active skincare just because you have reached day 5; your skin should feel comfortable and look fully recovered first. If you are unsure, contact your Dermal Clinician.
For a minimum of 5 days, and generally about 5 to 7 days or until your skin has completely healed, avoid: glycolic, lactic, mandelic and salicylic acids; retinol, retinal and prescription vitamin A; benzoyl peroxide; hydroquinone; strong concentrations of kojic or azelaic acid; physical scrubs and exfoliating brushes; home peels; fake tan; and strong alcohol-based or irritating products. Reintroduce these only when your skin has healed.
Resume swimming when your skin barrier has healed and your skin is no longer red, irritated or sensitive.
Use broad-spectrum SPF 50+ every morning, minimise unnecessary direct sun exposure, reapply when outdoors, wear a hat and seek shade. Sun protection is especially important when treating pigmentation.
Unless your Dermal Clinician advises otherwise, allow about 2 weeks before another intensive treatment over the same area, such as chemical peels, laser, IPL, more Skin Needling, microdermabrasion or cosmetic tattoo.
Skin Needling triggers a controlled repair response, and collagen keeps forming and remodelling for at least 90 days and beyond, even when you can no longer see that you have had a treatment.
Support collagen from the inside out: stay well hydrated, eat adequate protein, include vitamin C-rich foods, eat a varied, nutrient-rich diet, prioritise sleep and recovery, and avoid smoking. Supplements may suit some people, particularly where there is a deficiency, but extra supplements do not automatically create more collagen.

Dr Spicule bio-microneedling: after your treatment

A prickly or spiky sensation may continue for up to 24 to 48 hours. Redness, warmth and tightness are common, and mild swelling or puffiness may occur.
Mild to moderate flaking or shedding may occur over the next few days, although some clients have very little. The prickly sensation and mild flaking are a normal part of the treatment response.
Avoid cleansing for at least 12 hours after treatment.
Use pressing or patting motions only when applying skincare or drying your skin. Avoid rubbing, touching, picking or scratching.
Stay makeup-free for 24 hours where possible, sleep on a clean pillowcase, and apply soothing hydration in the evening if needed.
For the first 5 days, avoid: heat, hot showers, saunas, spa treatments and exercise; swimming; direct sun; active ingredients including retinoids, AHAs, BHAs and benzoyl peroxide; and exfoliants such as scrubs, enzymes and acids.
Apply your prescribed soothing, hydrating serums, moisturisers or masks. Don't pick, rub or pull any flaking skin. Use SPF daily as directed.
Mild flaking or shedding from day 1 to 5 is normal. Around day 6, gentle exfoliation followed by a hydrating mask may be recommended, but only as advised by your Dermal Clinician.

Hollywood Lift and Skin Needling + Peel

These treatments include Dermapen 4 needling, so follow the Dermapen 4 care above. If a peel is included, your Dermal Clinician may extend your no-actives period; follow their personal instructions.

When to contact us

Some redness, warmth, sensitivity, tightness, mild swelling, dryness and flaking are expected. Please contact us if you experience redness or swelling that is getting significantly worse rather than improving, increasing or significant pain, unusual blistering, pus or discharge, signs of infection, a significant rash or reaction, or anything that feels very different from what your Dermal Clinician prepared you for. We would always prefer that you check in with us rather than worry at home.
If you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, rapidly spreading swelling or a high temperature, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department.

Call us on 0481 300 574 or email info@skinwellnessacademy.com.

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About this treatment

Read more about Skin Needling, or see care guides for all our treatments.

Booking

Book or change your appointment through our Phorest booking page. Appointment changes can be made up to 48 hours before your appointment, and Phorest sends you a reminder 72 hours beforehand.

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