Microneedling is a procedure used to improve skin with imperfections like hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and spots. One of the after-effects is lots of dead skin. Naturally, you will have lots of dead skin to remove after microneedling, but how do you do it with ease?
Remember, dead skin cells are the by-product of the regeneration process your skin goes through in a cycle. However, with the microneedling session, you will find more dead skin than usual on your fresh, sensitive skin.
Therefore, keeping skin healthy can be more difficult than you think. However, you can learn how to remove dead skin on sensitive, raw skin after microneedling here.
What is microneedling?
Also known as collagen induction therapy, microneedling is a cosmetic procedure involving using tiny needles to create little puncture wounds in the skin.
The needles, attached to a handheld device, roll over the skin, puncturing the skin and stimulating the body’s healing response. The procedure helps to fasten collagen production and rejuvenation in the skin.
The needles’ puncture wounds trigger the skin tissues to actively work to heal the skin, thereby enhancing collagen production. And the growth of new collagen reduces the appearance of acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, and spots on the skin.
Therefore, microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that improves skin tone, firmness, and texture.
It is done in different parts of the body, not limiting it to the face. However, you have to do this procedure under the care of a clinical professional or an esthetician.
Although safe, before getting this procedure done, you need to know if your skin is suitable for the procedure. For instance, people with sensitive skin or skin conditions like eczema or other skin-related conditions should consult a dermatologist before getting a microneedling appointment.
Steps in a microneedling procedure
Cleanse your skin: Before being punctured with microneedles, thoroughly cleanse your skin to remove dirt, makeup, and residues.
Apply a numbing cream (optional): For those with sensitive skin, you may want to go for this option because it minimizes the discomfort of your skin.
Prepare the microneedling device: The esthetician takes over from here. They sanitize the needles based on the length they want to treat. However, if you are doing the microneedling yourself, follow the instructions laid out by the manufacturer.
The procedure begins: Microneedling begins at the outer edge of the treatment area, then the needles gently roll over in vertical, horizontal, and diagonal patterns inwards.
Aftercare: Apply a soothing serum or moisturizer to the treatment area after the procedure. It helps calm the skin and promotes faster healing.
Note: You may experience minor redness, swelling, or peeling of the skin. When this happens, follow the post-care instructions laid out by the esthetician or dermatologist.
How to remove dead skin after microneedling
1. Wait it out with serum and moisturizer
Flaky, dead skin is natural after microneedling. However, do not try to remove the peels immediately; your skin is still tender. The first thing you need to do is wait for your skin to get back its vigor. This takes between 4 to 5 days.
Picking the dead skin during this period could lead to infection or delayed healing. Use soothing serum during this period to calm your skin irritations.
Then moisturize because microneedling has a drying effect on the skin. It’s best to use non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated without leaving residues. Moisturizing reduces excessive peeling.
2. Use a gentle exfoliating scrub
Exfoliating is still the best way to remove dead skin cells. While there are different tools and methods, scrubs are one of the most practical mechanical exfoliants. It improves skin cell turnover faster.
After the waiting period, you can use a gentle exfoliating scrub to remove the dead skin piled on your skin.
The scrub contains granules that would slough off the dead skin on your body. However, be careful not to be too abrasive; it leads to wounds and scabs.
3. Try chemical exfoliants
You can switch to a chemical exfoliant that dissolves dead skin off the skin by using chemicals like AHAs and BHAs.
This works for people with sensitive skin because they are soothing and have non-abrasive contact with the skin. Furthermore, they promote skin renewal without doing too much.
4. Use supplements
How does this work? Simple. Take supplements that would improve your skin texture. The dead skin will come off effortlessly while you bathe or shower without the use of scrubs or exfoliating brush.
Vitamins and omega-3-rich supplements help the skin heal and regenerate quickly. They also promote even skin complexion.
5. Use an exfoliating brush
Use an exfoliating brush for a considerable time after your procedure. The tool is quite abrasive, so sensitive and tender skin can get worse with this.
Nonetheless, the brush expertly removes dead skin on skin. You can also use the brush by dry exfoliation or applying water or lather to the skin to act as a lubricant to prevent scabs on the skin.
What products should you use after microneedling?
A way to keep your skin radiant after microneedling is to pay attention to your skincare products. While you remove dead skin, these products help your skin stay radiant.
- Hydrating serum: Microneedling can temporarily dehydrate the skin. That’s why you need to apply a hydrating serum to lock moisture and hasten the healing process. You can look to hyaluronic acid and glycerin to do just that.
- Soothing moisturizer: A moisturizer that calms the skin after microneedling would minimize irritation and redness. Furthermore, It enhances the moisture balance of your skin, keeping it supple. Pick a moisturizer with chamomile, green tea, aloe vera, or tea tree as active ingredients.
- Sunscreen: You need to protect your skin after microneedling. Therefore, sunscreen is a must. If you have been inconsistent with its use, you have to change your routine. Use sunscreen with a broad spectrum of SPF 30 and above. This protects your skin from harmful external aggressors.
- Gentle cleanser: Avoid using harsh or abrasive cleansers after microneedling. They can irritate the skin further. Instead, use a gentle cleanser that won’t strip the skin of its natural oils.
- Retinol: Yes, retinol can be harsh on sensitive skin. However, if used properly, the result can be phenomenal. But before using retinol, wait a few days. Using retinol would boost collagen production in the skin. This, in turn, promotes renewed skin.
FAQs
Why is the skin dry after microneedling?
Microneedling procedure is invasive and makes the skin feel tight. This closes the pores and prevents moisture from coming in, which causes dryness to the skin.
Therefore, you need to use soothing and hydrating moisturizer immediately after the procedure to lock moisture in your skin.
When should you exfoliate after microneedling?
A week after the procedure.
It takes about 4 to 5 days for the skin to heal. However, exfoliate after 5 days to prevent any harsh side effects on the skin.
How often should you exfoliate after microneedling?
At least twice a week.
After leaving your skin to heal for about a week, exfoliate it. Then, wait another week before exfoliating again. Subsequently, increase the frequency.
Exfoliating immediately at your regular frequency can damage the skin.
Conclusion
Microneedling is one of the cosmetic procedures used to treat skin conditions and impurities. However, it comes with the after-effect of visible dead skin.
You can improve your skin after microneedling by exfoliating with chemical exfoliants, scrubs, or even brushes.
Nonetheless, removing dead skin after microneedling is not the problem. Knowing when to do so is. And the correct period is between 5 to 7 days after the procedure. If you remove dead skin after microneedling after the healing period, you will get healthy, renewed skin.
Thanks for reading.
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