Aggressive microneedling / loose and orange peel skin afterwards

Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m sorry to hear about the changes in your skin after aggressive microneedling. The loose, wrinkled, and “orange peel” texture you describe can sometimes occur if microneedling is performed too deeply or aggressively, and recovery can be slow.

Is it fixable?
Improvement is possible, but it can take many months. The skin needs time to remodel and heal. Gentle skincare, consistent moisturization, and strict sun protection are essential. Some patients benefit from treatments like fractional radiofrequency microneedling or non-ablative lasers, but these should only be considered after your skin has fully recovered and you are off Accutane (isotretinoin).

Can you use tretinoin while on Accutane?
No, you should not use topical tretinoin (Retin-A) while taking oral isotretinoin (Accutane). Both are retinoids, and using them together can cause severe irritation, dryness, and delay healing. It’s best to wait until you have finished your course of Accutane and your skin has recovered before considering topical retinoids.

What you can do now:
- Stick to gentle cleansers and rich moisturizers.
- Avoid harsh treatments or exfoliants.
- Use daily broad-spectrum sunscreen.
- Once you are off Accutane and your skin has healed, consult a dermatologist about options for improving texture and pigmentation, such as non-ablative lasers, RF microneedling, or topical treatments.


With patience and the right approach, many people see gradual improvement over time.

Hello! Were you on accutane at the time you received the microneedling? This could be the case for the wrinkles and peeling after the microneedling as it is not recommended to receive microneedling while on accutane. In any case, using tretinoin after microneedling can offer significant skin benefits but requires a cautious approach to avoid irritation and damage. Allow your skin to heal initially, reintroduce tretinoin gradually, and maintain a gentle skincare routine with diligent sun protection. However, using tretinoin while on Accutane (isotretinoin) is generally not recommended. Both medications are retinoids, which can significantly increase the risk of severe skin irritation, dryness, and other side effects when used together. In your case, I would recommend calmer remedies before another procedure. Vitamin C Serum can help with skin repair and reduce pigmentation, but only use once the initial irritation has subsided. Ceramide-Based Moisturizers support the skin barrier and promote healing. I would also recommend meeting with your dermatologist.