Microneedling Recovery
Your guide for both Microneedling and Advanced Microneedling. Healing follows the same pattern, and most people are back to normal in 3 to 5 days.
The first few hours
Your skin will look and feel like a sunburn: pink to red, warm, and tight. Tiny pinpoint spots of blood are normal.
Leave the serum we applied on your skin. Don’t wash your face until tonight, and use only the products we sent home with you.
What to expect, day by day
- Day 0
Red, warm, tight
Redness similar to a moderate sunburn, mild swelling, and a tight, sensitive feeling. Your skin may feel hot for a few hours.
- Gently cleanse tonight with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser, patting dry with a clean towel
- Apply the hydrating serum or balm we gave you
- Sleep on a fresh pillowcase with your head slightly raised
- Days 1–2
Pink and puffy
Redness fades to pink. Some puffiness is common, especially under the eyes in the morning. Skin feels dry and tight.
- Keep skin hydrated with a gentle moisturizer
- Start mineral SPF 30+ every morning
- Mineral makeup is okay after 24 hours
- Days 3–5
Dry, rough, flaky
Skin may feel like fine sandpaper and flake lightly, especially around the nose, mouth, and chin. This is old skin making way for new skin.
- Keep moisturizing
- Let flakes come off on their own
- Days 5–7
Fresh and glowing
Flaking finishes and your skin looks smoother and brighter. You can ease back into your regular routine.
- Weeks 4–6
Collagen keeps building
Your skin keeps building new collagen for weeks. Texture, pores, and fine lines keep improving, and results build with each treatment in your series.
Do & don’t
Do
- Use only the gentle products we recommended for the first 3 days
- Wear mineral SPF 30+ daily and reapply
- Drink water and keep skin moisturized
- Change your pillowcase the first night
- Keep your phone screen and hands clean and off your face
Don’t
- Pick, scrub, or peel flaking skin
- Use retinol, acids (AHA/BHA), vitamin C, or acne products for 5–7 days
- Sweat heavily or work out for 48 hours
- Use hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, or pools for 72 hours
- Get direct sun or tan for 2 weeks
- Wax, thread, or use hair removal cream on the area for 7 days
When can I…
| Wear makeup (mineral) | After 24 hours |
| Work out or sweat | After 48 hours |
| Swim, sauna, hot tub | After 72 hours |
| Restart retinol, acids, vitamin C | After 5–7 days |
| Wax or thread | After 7 days |
| Next treatment in your series | 4–6 weeks |
Call us if you notice
- Redness, pain, or swelling that gets worse after day 2 instead of better
- Yellow crusting, pus, or skin that feels hot to the touch
- Fever or chills
- Itchy rash, hives, or bumps
- Clusters of small blisters or a cold sore
Healing is part of the result. You’re right on track.
Bocaba Medical Spa · 8371 South State Street, Suite 102, Sandy, UT · Follow any specific instructions your provider gave you.