Applying Retinal cream right after microneedling in the office, followed by chemical sunscreen

To be completely honest, we normally recommend doing these 3-5 days post treatment. However, if your skin isn't sensitive or you suffer from pigment/acne scars...this is actually amazing for results! Not only does it help cell turnover and collagen production.

We don't recommend exfoliating further.

Thanks for your question!Retinol and chemical sunscreen are both generally safe to use after microneedling. Microneedling enhances the absorption of products applied to the skin. This means that if you apply retinol after microneedling, it may penetrate deeper into the skin, potentially leading to increased effectiveness. As for sunscreen, your skin is more vulnerable to damage from UV rays after microneedling. Applying sunscreen is crucial to protect your skin from sunburn, premature aging, and other sun-related damage.

At our practice we tell all of our patients to avoid any retinal or retinoid for 48-72 hours after treatment. Applying it directly after can burn the skin or cause prolonged redness and irritation. I would contact your provider as they may have an explanation as to why they applied it immediately after.

Hello, and thank you for your question. It is advised to avoid retinol or any harsh products for at least 48 hours after microneedling as the skin is healing and very sensitive. I usually recommend just a gentle cleanser and moisturizer for the first 24-48 hours and continue to apply moisturizer as needed for hydration and any itchiness that can occur. Applying a sunscreen after microneedling is not always advised either because of the micro channels that have been created with the procedure itself. It is best to just avoid the sun or wear a hat when going outside for the first 24 hours. After that, you may apply sunscreen. Hope this helps!

Hello Isa835461! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Shah Facial Plastics. I recommend waiting at least 24-48 hours after the procedure before applying any retinal or other products to the skin in order to minimize potential irritation. I hope this helps!