Skincare Success: Your Aftercare Hub

After a facial, your skin is freshly exfoliated, deeply cleansed, and more sensitive than usual. Here are key post-facial care tips to maintain that glow and avoid irritation:

First 24–48 Hours

DO:

• Hydrate: Drink plenty of water and apply a gentle, hydrating moisturizer.
• Protect: Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily.
• Keep skin clean: Gently cleanse with a mild, non-foaming cleanser.
• Avoid makeup: Skip makeup for at least 24 hours if possible.

AVOID:

• Touching your face: Reduces the risk of breakouts or irritation.
• Exfoliating: Don’t use scrubs, AHAs/BHAs, or retinoids for 2–3 days.
• Sweating or heat: Avoid workouts, saunas, or hot showers—heat can cause redness or sensitivity.
• Harsh products: Skip any actives not recommended by your esthetician.

Ongoing Care (Days 3–7)

• Resume your normal skincare routine gradually, starting with gentle actives.
• Continue to moisturize and apply SPF daily.
• Monitor for any sensitivity—if you notice redness or breakouts, scale back.

Bonus Tips

• Don’t pick at any post-facial purging or breakouts.
• Schedule facials 4–6 weeks apart for maintenance.
• Communicate with your esthetician about your skin’s response—this helps them tailor future treatments.

Post-chemical peel care is crucial to ensure proper healing and to get the best results from the treatment. Here’s a general guide:

Immediate Aftercare (First 24–48 Hours)

• Do not wash your face for at least 6–8 hours or as advised.
• Avoid touching or picking at your skin.
• Apply only the products recommended by your provider (usually a gentle moisturizer and possibly a soothing ointment).

Cleansing and Moisturizing

• Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser.
• Do not exfoliate or use any active ingredients (e.g., retinol, AHAs, BHAs) until your provider says it's okay.

Sun Protection

• Avoid direct sunlight for at least 1–2 weeks.
• Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) daily—even indoors.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat when outside.

Peeling Phase (Days 2–7+)

• Expect flaking or peeling, which is normal—do not peel manually.
• Continue to moisturize.
• Avoid makeup if possible, or use only gentle, non-comedogenic formulas.

What to Avoid

• Hot water, steam rooms, saunas, heavy exercise for 48–72 hours.
• Harsh skincare products, including scrubs, acids, and alcohol-based toners.
• Picking or peeling skin manually—it can cause scarring or hyperpigmentation.

Post-microneedling care is key to maximizing results and avoiding irritation or infection. Here's a comprehensive guide to follow after treatment:

Immediately After Microneedling (First 24 Hours)

DO:

• Leave your skin alone for at least 4–6 hours (or as advised) before washing or applying products.
• Use a gentle, hydrating serum (often hyaluronic acid) if recommended by your provider.
• Stay hydrated—drink water to support skin healing from within.

AVOID:

• Touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Brushing your teeth at least 6-8 hours post treatment.
• Applying makeup, sunscreen, or any non-recommended skincare.
• Excessive heat or sweating (e.g., saunas, hot showers, exercise).
• Sun exposure.

Day 1–3: Early Healing Phase

DO:

• Cleanse with a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser.
• Moisturize regularly with a non-comedogenic, fragrance-free moisturizer.
• Use only products recommended by your provider (usually no actives).

AVOID:

• Makeup (ideally for 24–48 hours).
• Active ingredients: retinoids, AHAs/BHAs, vitamin C (unless specified).
• Exfoliation or scrubbing.
• Swimming pools, hot tubs, or heavy sweating.

Day 4–7: Recovery + Skin Renewal

DO:

• Start reintroducing gentle actives if your provider approves.
• Continue hydration and sun protection.
• Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily—even indoors.

AVOID:

• Harsh products or overly active routines.
• Picking or peeling flaking skin—let it shed naturally.

General Microneedling Recovery Tips

• Expect mild redness, tightness, or flaking for a few days.
• Avoid waxing, laser treatments, or chemical peels for at least 2 weeks.
• Results are cumulative—follow your provider’s schedule for repeat treatments if needed.