Why a Gentle Face Wash Matters
One of the biggest mistakes people make after microneedling is returning to their regular skincare routine too quickly. Since your skin is actively healing, it’s more sensitive than usual and can be easily irritated by strong actives like exfoliating acids, retinoids, oils, and fragranced products.
If you’ve had microneedling with PRP or PRF, some providers also recommend not washing your face for up to 24 hours so the growth factors and topicals placed on the skin have more time to absorb and work effectively—always follow your provider’s specific aftercare instructions.
“It’s really important that you talk to your provider about retinols because I think people don’t really understand what retinols actually do to their skin,” Gardner shared. “They essentially speed up the process that the skin sheds and flakes off. So if you’re using a vitamin A product like that on compromised skin, you’re going to have a reaction.”
The same caution applies to many cleansers that contain exfoliating acids, scrubs, or strong fragrances. Instead, experts typically recommend sticking with mild, non-stripping formulas that cleanse without disrupting the healing process.
It’s also best to avoid oil-based cleansers during the first several days after microneedling. Because the skin is in a highly absorbent, temporarily compromised barrier state, heavier or oil-based products may trap debris or introduce irritants while the skin is still repairing.
Overall, it’s usually best to stick with ultra-gentle, water-based products so the skin can calm down and heal without unnecessary stress or disruption!
