How long should you avoid the sun before and after microneedling?

Question

Nick Slenkovich, MD · Answer

Hi, I’m Lauren, the aesthetic injector here at Colorado Plastic Surgery Center. It is best to avoid the sun a week before treatment, avoid direct exposure to the sun two weeks after treatment, and wear an SPF daily.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Hi @sandrad12. This is an excellent question. I recommend avoiding the sun 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after microneedling.  Make sure your sunscreen is broad spectrum meaning it protects from UVA/UVB rays. Best of luck, Dr. Nima!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

You should always make sure you take extra care with the sun after a procedure like microneedling. USe plenty of sunscreen and keep out of direct sun for about a week or so. Check in with your dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer

Elham Jafari, MD · Answer

Hi and thank you for your question! As a general rule, we should always try to avoid/minimize unprotected sun exposure regardless of the treatment and just to maintain healthy skin. This being said, microneedling is considered a "color-blind" treatment meaning that it is not affected much by the skin typing and alike and hence, there are no specific sun avoidance recommendations, other than what you normally do to protect your skin from sun light. I hope it helps and good luck!

How long should you avoid the sun before and after microneedling?

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Answer: Microneedling and Sun Protection

Answer: Microneedling and Sun Protection

Answer: Avoiding Sun After & Before Microneedling

Answer: Avoiding Sun After & Before Microneedling

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How long should you avoid the sun before and after microneedling?

Answers (7)

Answer: Microneedling and Sun Protection

Answer: Microneedling and Sun Protection

Answer: Avoiding Sun After & Before Microneedling

Answer: Avoiding Sun After & Before Microneedling

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Microneedling

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.