Can You use Retinol After Home Microdermabrasion?

You may have heard of microdermabrasion before, perhaps you are unsure of what it actually is, or you have this non-invasive treatment a number of times already, whichever is, there’s no denying how this procedure is extremely effective and delivers impressive results for the complexion.

What is microdermabrasion?

As I have already mentioned, it is a non-invasive skin treatment that exfoliates the outer surface of the skin. It involves a handheld device that removes the top layer of the skin and will often take about 30-40 minutes for the entire face to be treated. You’ll find that after a few sessions there’ll be marked improvement of the complexion with a more even skin tone, smoother texture with an all-over lustre to the face. Here are some of the main benefits you can expect to see when using microdermabrasion.

• Combats signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles
• Can give the collagen production a boost to make the skin firmer
• Brightens the complexion restoring its healthy glow
• Repairs the skin and reduces the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and post acne scarring

Now that you have a better understanding of how microdermabrasion works on the skin, let’s investigate more about using retinol after home microdermabrasion.

How soon after microdermabrasion can I use retinol?

Although microdermabrasion isn’t necessarily painful, there are some important aftercare steps to follow to ensure the skin recovers quickly without any risk of infection or irritation. We will cover those in more detail in the next section of this blog post. As for understanding how soon after microdermabrasion can you use retinol, it is thought to best avoid any form of retinoid product for three to seven days. If you are intending to complete a series of sessions of microdermabrasion do not resume using your retinol product until a week after your last treatment. If you have any concerns with any products to use or need a little more clarity on things you should use, consult with a dermatologist or the trained professional performing your treatment.

What should I do after microdermabrasion at home?

Microdermabrasion can be performed within an established salon, or at home using the correct handheld device. If it is the latter you have decided to use, here are some tips on how to get the most out of your effort without any unwanted side effects.

• Swap your products with gentle formulas that do not foam or contain highly potent ingredients, such as BHAs and other exfoliants
• Maintain a good skincare routine packed with hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid
• Avoid touching, picking, scratching the new skin, no matter how itchy it may feel
• Always apply a daily SPF of 30 and above and avoid direct sunlight for at least seven days after microdermabrasion
• Don’t apply any form of retinoid to the skin until at least seven days post microdermabrasion.

When performing at home microdermabrasion, you must ensure the tools you use are cleaned thoroughly and your skin is freshly cleansed without using any potent ingredients, such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and other exfoliating ingredients.

What products should I avoid after microdermabrasion?

The aftercare for microdermabrasion is something that needs to be carried out with care as the fresh skin is highly sensitive and if these precautionary steps are not followed will result in the long-term damage. Below are some things that should be avoided after microdermabrasion.

1. Cut down on your caffeine intake

This may be a struggle; I can rarely function without my morning coffee too. However, caffeine is a terrible culprit for dehydrating the skin, not ideal situation after microdermabrasion. The best way of counteracting the dehydration is increasing your daily water intake, if this is something you feel as though you won’t be able to achieve try reducing your caffeine throughout the day. 

2. Up the ante with your moisturiser

The fresh skin revealed after microdermabrasion will need hydration to maintain its healthy state. Ensure you apply liberal amounts of your moisturiser to reduce the chances of flaky patches of skin, irritation, and cracked skin reoccurring. You can also opt to apply a serum enriched in hyaluronic acid before your moisturiser for a hydrating boost for the skin.

3. Apply SPF everyday

Even if you see it blowing a gail outside your window, always apply a daily SPF. This is because UVA is constantly present, even on an overcast day and can penetrate through glass and water. UVA is also the ray that causes skin ageing and if you expose your new skin to this it will result in a lot of long-term skin damage.

4. Put down the exfoliant

Whether the formula contains chemical exfoliants, such as glycolic acid, or a physical exfoliant, such as a sugar scrub, both must be avoided after microdermabrasion until the skin is fully healed. If you were to use an exfoliating product on fresh skin this will lead to several concerns as it will strip the skin of the vital oil and water levels to maintain its health and ability to protect itself from exposure to free radicals, such as pollution, and other environmental aggressors. 

There you have some of the things you should avoid using after microdermabrasion. If you ever have any concerns, consult with your doctor before applying any new products to the skin.

How often should you microdermabrasion at home?

It is considered that to target the areas of concern quickly and effectively; you should aim to perform a monthly treatment that can last up to six months to improve the overall complexion. Many find that at-home devices are cost-effective and very easy to use whilst delivering great results, the downside is there is often more risk to things going wrong when performing the treatment at home without a trained professional. Always make sure you have read the instructions and are you are feeling confident enough to continue with the procedure.

I hope that is has cleared up some confusion about using retinol after home microdermabrasion. Remember to consult with your doctor if you have any concerns, and don’t forget if you have any questions come and find us on Instagram.