One of the most popular questions with derma rolling aftercare is, “can I wash my face?”
After pricking your face with a derma roller, your first instinct is to get rid of the bloodstains and dead skin on your face.
But is it really a good idea?
Well, let’s find out if you can wash your face after derma rolling.
Dermarolling Pretreatment Care
Dermarolling or micro-needling [1] is a non-invasive therapy that uses tiny needles that causes ‘micro-injures’ to the skin. This results in the skin producing collagen that promotes a clearer, fresh, rejuvenated skin [2].
The treatment is miraculous in reducing acne scarring, fading hyperpigmentation, smoothening rough patches, and even help you grow a beard! But it requires intrinsic pre and post-care.
Use these pretreatment tips to avoid any infections.
- Wash your face. You most certainly have to wash your face before derma rolling to avoid dirt getting into your pores and causing an infection. Make sure to use a gentle pH-balanced cleanser.
- Disinfect your roller. When derma rolling at home, make sure to disinfect your roller in 70 percent isopropyl alcohol [3] for at least 10 mins.
- Do not shave. Avoid any kind of waxing, shaving, or using depilatory creams on your face a week before derma rolling.
- Do not use any blood thinners a week before the procedure. This is because a common side effect of derma rolling is bruising.
What To Anticipate When Dermarolling
Dermarolling or skin needling punctures very tiny wounds on your face. After treatment, the skin remains tight and warm; also, it can be mildly red or pink due to wounds. The redness usually persists for around 24hrs, and in extreme cases, it continues for up to a week.
You can also experience some swelling and skin peeling during the 48hrs after the procedure is done. Some people also experience bumps, dry skin, and breakouts.
Dermarolling is generally a low-risk technique, but infections can occur if the equipment isn’t properly sterilized. If you experience fevers over 100.4°F, nausea, hives, or green discharge, make sure to seek medical attention immediately.
Taking care of your skin after dermarolling is essential, but Your usual skincare routine is the worst thing you can do to your skin. But what do you do to ease the irritation?
Skin Care Products You Will Need Post Derma Rolling
If your skin is sensitive and inflammation and redness persist after treatment, there are several ways you can reduce inflammation quickly. You can use products, such as cooling face masks like Ligart Cooling Lightweight Face Mask, which is helpful if you need to work or move around.
To reduce the irritation, hyaluronic acid-based serums, like, Cosmedica Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Serum, will accelerate the healing process and soothe your skin.
Usually, your skin will feel dryer, so hydrating is essential. You can spray water on your face with Mario Badescu Facial Spray or any other facial to help to heal faster. However, drinking plenty of water is the best way to maintain hydration from the inside.
How about washing your face?
Can You wash your face after Dermarolling?
The answer is, YES, you can!
But not just yet; give your face some time to heal.
Just this once, you’ll have to throw out your daily facial routine. Typically, this treatment should be done at night so that your skin can have enough time to recover. And you won’t have to worry about walking around with a bloody face.
Microneedling causes your skin to be susceptible, and you should minimize any further irritation or disturbance to your skin. So, washing your face just after micro-needling isn’t a good idea. Give it at least eight hours on the minimum before washing your face.
But hold up! You cannot simply wash it as you regularly do.
READ MORE: Can I Wear Makeup After Microneedling?
How to Wash Your Face After Derma Rolling
To wash your face after derma rolling, you will need to be very gentle to avoid further irritation. Here’s how:
- Avoid normal water and use lukewarm water, which means you should use neither hot nor cold for cleaning your face the following day after treatment.
- If you want to use a cleanser, you can go for a gentle cleanser such as Skin Ceuticals Cleanser; removing blood traces will be easy.
Check: How to Reduce Redness After Microneedling
- Don’t rub your skin but lightly dab your face with a clean face cloth or towel (like Polyte Premium Hypoallergenic Facial Cleansing Cloth) and avoid using cleansing brushes after your treatment for a week in the least.
- Make sure to purify your hands before touching the face or washing it.
- You have to maintain this hygiene for a minimum of 72 hours. Maintaining this routine will be helpful if you have sensitive skin.
What to Avoid Immediately After Derma
Besides maintaining the face washing tips, you should be careful of some other post-treatment care. Some of the post-treatment care tips I would suggest are:
Avoid Make-Up
Don’t put on makeup for about 2 to 3 days after treatment. Make-up will clog your exposed pores and cause breakouts, irritation, and even infections. Refrain from also using a make brush and most especially a brush that has been used before.
Stay Away From The Sun
Consider the sun as your enemy during this time, and sunscreen your best friend. Avoid the sun for prolonged hours, and if you must, apply a sunscreen of SPF 25 or more that contains peptides and moisturize your skin.
Olay Moisturizer Cream with Sunscreen will be a good option for this purpose, a healthy skincare product to use regularly.
Toners and Exfoliators
It would be best if you did not use Alcohol-based toners and avoid exfoliators for some time after treatment. You won’t like to torture your skin, will you?
Hot Tubs And Gym
You should also avoid hot tubs, saunas, sunbeds, or other activities that might cause sweating and dehydration, like intense workouts for at least 72 hours.
Don’t Touch Your Face
Avoid touching your skin now and then, especially before washing your hands.
Check: Do Cellulite Rollers Work?
Key Takeaway
If you had the same question about washing your face after derma rolling, I hope the above tips have answered them.
Derma rolling is a great skincare technique. Whether you’re looking to reduce acne scarring or get glowing skin, the aftercare treatment will significantly affect the outcome.
So be sure to take note of the tips, take care of your skin, and it will indeed thank you by being clear and spotless.
Do you have any more tips on derma rolling? Drop them in the comment box.
Sources
- Indian Dermatol Online J. 2016 Jul. “Microneedling: Advances and widening horizons” NCBI 2016 Jul-Aug https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4976400/
- Stephanie S. Gardner, MD on June 2020 “An Overview of the Skin” WebMD June 14, 2020, https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-overview-skin
- “Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities” CDC2008 https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/index.html
- Cardellino, Carly. 2020. “Dermarolling or Microneedling at Home: Should You Try It?” Cosmopolitan. Cosmopolitan. January 22, 2020. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a30443411/what-is-derma-rolling/.
- Sania. 2020. “Do I Wash My Face after Dermarolling? – Derma Roller Shop.” Derma Roller Shop. August 11, 2020. https://www.dermarollershop.com/blog/do-i-wash-my-face-after-dermarolling/.
- Sharkey, Lauren. 2020. “Do Derma Rollers Really Work?” Healthline. Healthline Media. February 26, 2020. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/do-derma-rollers-work.
- Yadav, Savita, and Aashim Singh. 2016. “Microneedling: Advances and Widening Horizons.” Indian Dermatology Online Journal 7 (4): 244. https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-5178.185468
