Skin Needling Aftercare

Thank you for attending Youth Lab for Skin Needling. Please take the time to carefully read your post-treatment instructions below.

POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS

• Use only gentle cleansers, hyaluronic acid/hydrating or healing serums, gentle moisturisers, and SPF 30+ daily for 7 days. The use of the YL Aftercare kit is highly encouraged for optimal healing.
• Avoid any heat or sweat inducing activities, including vigorous exercise for 24-48hrs.  
• Avoid applying makeup over the treated areas for 24-48 hours, mineral makeups are preferred.
• Avoid swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, saunas and ocean water for 72 hours. 
• Do not use fake tan or spray tan for 7 days. 
• Do not use any AHA or BHA, exfoliants or acidic based products for 7 days (eg Glycolic, Lactic, Salicylic etc) – gentle exfoliation may be used after this time.
• Do not use Vitamin A/Retinol products for 7 days (eg Retin A, Stieva A, Zorac etc)
• Strictly avoid sun exposure for 14 days. The treated area is more prone to sunburn and pigmentation change. Delayed blistering secondary to sun exposure has been noted up to 72 hours post-treatment.
• Do not shave the area until sensitivity has subsided. 
• Do not pick, pull or scratch the treated skin. This can lead to scarring, infection and pigment changes.
• Avoid smoking/vaping for a minimum of 14 days. Smokers generally experience poorer healing and suboptimal results so cessation is recommended.

WHAT TO EXPECT 

The listed below are all normal side effects and should self-resolve within a few days to weeks.

• Day 1: Severity of erythema (redness) will depend on how aggressive the session was performed.
• Day 2: A red or pink hue persists, similar to moderate sunburn. Swelling may be more noticeable on the second day.
• Day 3: Skin can be pink or simply remain normal in colour. Swelling subsides. Active skincare regimen can be resumed again after day 3.
• Redness will settle and be replaced by dry, tight peeling skin. This will shed over the next 3-7 days to reveal fresh skin with more neutral skin colouring and improved texture. Some people do not shed at all which is also normal. The degree of tightness and peeling depends on the skin condition on the day of treatment and is not an indicator of the intensity of treatment nor the expected results. 
• There may be bruising, which is usually minimal and pinhead-sized. It may last for 1-5 days. If it occurs, avoid medications such as aspirin, Nurofen, Vitamin E or fish oils which are blood-thinning agents and may exacerbate bruising.
• Cold Sore (HSV) outbreak in individuals who are susceptible. 

For further information on how to manage these side effects, please see ‘Management’. 

MANAGEMENT

Cold Sores

Cold Sore (HSV) outbreak in individuals who are susceptible is possible even for those who have not had an outbreak in a long time. 

Cold Sore Relief

• It is recommended these individuals take prophylactic antiviral medication available over the counter from their local pharmacy prior to and post-treatment.

Redness

A red tinge to the skin post-treatment is completely normal and will usually self resolve within a day.

Redness Relief

• A cold compress or an ice pack can be used to provide comfort if the treated area is especially warm.  This is typically only needed within the first 12 hours after the treatment.

Swelling

 Swelling Relief

• Apply a cool compress to the area for 10 minutes every hour on treatment day.
• Take an antihistamine (e.g. 10mg loratadine)
• Try sleeping on your back, slightly elevated, to prevent pressure build-up on the face.
• In unlikely severe cases, review can be arranged and oral steroids may be prescribed. 

FAQs

How long until I see results?

Results of skin needling treatments may start to become evident in a few days with improvements in skin texture, pore size, finer lines and hydration emerging within the first seven to fourteen days. Most patients experience the “post-needling glow” from day seven. 

Deeper changes related to collagen production such as deeper lines and wrinkles, firming,  and scars become visible over the next 3 months.

Many people will notice  improvements for mild superficial concerns after a single session, however, consecutive treatments are required to achieve more noticeable results, usually three to six treatments.

Concerns such as deeper lines, wrinkles and scarring will require a longer course of treatments, usually a minimum of six treatments, in some cases more.

When should I get another treatment? 

Treatment intervals vary slightly according to the concern being treated, however treatments can be performed every four to eight weeks depending on severity of the treatment and each individual’s healing capacity.

How long do the results last?

Following a full course of treatment, it can take up to 3-6 months for results to become visible due to the production and synthesis of new collagen and elastin. 

Due to ongoing intrinsic ageing factors those who are targeting concerns related to ageing: lines, wrinkles, collagen induction, changes in skin quality etc continuing with annual maintenance treatments are recommended. This can involve undergoing single or multiple maintenance treatments and will vary from person to person.

Please contact the clinic on (08) 9324 1604 (West Perth), (08) 9260 6800 (Claremont), (08) 9260 6880 (Joondalup) or (08) 9260 6820 (Applecross)  if you have any questions about your treatment or aftercare instructions.