Microchanneling

Microchanneling is a treatment that uses multiple tiny, sterile filaments to puncture the skin, creating small perforations that initiate the skin's healing process to rebuild and generate collagen. This process signals the body to reorganize old collagen fibers and stimulate the production of new collagen, elastin, growth factors, and fibroblasts, resulting in skin tightening.

Collagen is an essential protein that helps keep the skin looking youthful, with a firm, smooth, and stretchy texture. Aging causes the decline of collagen in the skin, contributing to wrinkles and other signs of aging. Microchanneling is excellent for addressing skin laxity, acne scarring, stretch marks, and hair growth.

Quiet Waters Esthetics uses Procell's Stem Cell Serum which is derived from bone marrow, and the most pristine stem cell known for its regenerating and repairing properties.

What Should You Avoid Before a Microneedling Treatment?

There are a few precautions you need to take before your microneedling appointment to get the best results from your treatment. When you carefully follow this protocol, you will have the best experience possible and get the best, longest-lasting results. These instructions are minimal and shouldn’t be viewed as an inconvenience but instead as an investment in your future results.

Avoid Certain Products

Microneedling creates tiny injuries on the surface of the skin, so there are some products that you need to avoid anywhere from 3 days to one week before your appointment to reduce skin sensitivity. This will keep your skin from becoming inflamed, overly dry, or irritated in the days leading up to your appointment. As a general rule, you should avoid all products with active ingredients as well as any processes that irritate the skin.

1) TOPICAL RETINOIDS

If you’re in the habit of slathering your prescription or over-the-counter retinoid, retinol, or vitamin A cream on each night before bed, you’ll need to leave it in the drawer for several days prior to your appointment. As a general rule of thumb, if your topical product contains high levels of Vitamin A, you should avoid using it pre-treatment. Doing so will help your skin be in the best possible state to receive all that this treatment entails.

2) TOPICAL ACIDS

While topical acids like AHA’s and BHA’s benefit the skin in many ways, they can also cause dryness and irritation. If you use these products that contain these acids as a regular part of your skincare routine, avoid them for 3 to 5 days before your appointment to ensure that your skin isn’t overly dry or irritated on the day of your appointment.

3) TOPICAL EXFOLIANTS

Exfoliating is a necessary part of a good skin care regimen, but avoid it in the days leading up to your treatment. At-home exfoliants, whether chemical or physical, can strip the protective barrier from your skin and leave it irritated and inflamed. You don’t want to walk into a treatment that causes healthy inflammation with already-inflamed skin, so be sure to leave these products in the drawer for a few days before your appointment.

Avoid Certain Oral Medications

1) ACCUTANE

Some people rely on oral anti-acne medications for clear skin, yet concerning this treatment, they cannot be combined. Due to the way that Accutane interacts with the skin, you should avoid taking it for six months before your microneedling appointment.

2) ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICATIONS

The tiny micro wounds that our microchanneling device creates force the body into healing mode, and part of that healing involves its response to inflammation. Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, Advil, and Motrin keep the body in an anti-inflammatory state, which works contrary to what the body needs to do following this treatment. In this particular case, inflammation is important and a necessary response that will lead to ultimate skin rejuvenation. Avoid these medications for at least three days before your treatment.

3) BLOOD-THINNING AGENTS

While microneedling doesn’t typically cause bleeding, if you are on a blood-thinning agent, your risk of bruising may increase. Avoid these medications a week before your treatment. Such agents include but are not limited to over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin. Some natural supplements act as blood thinners as well, so avoid Vitamin E supplements as well as omega-3 supplements such as fish oil.

AVOID THE SUN

A week before your appointment, avoid excess sun exposure. If you have a vacation planned or some event where you cannot avoid excess sun exposure, schedule your treatment accordingly so that you can have at least a week of minimal sun exposure before your treatment. Doing so will help protect your skin and prepare it for your treatment.

LASER TREATMENTS

Laser treatments can make the skin susceptible to the elements, especially the sun. Avoid these in the weeks leading up to your appointment to protect your skin.

SUNBURN

Keep your skin protected the week before your microchanneling treatment to avoid sunburn. If you cannot avoid the sun in limited situations such as driving or walking outside, take extra precautions such as wearing a hat or visor and sunglasses as well as a quality sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Avoid Hair Removal Treatments

Shaving, waxing, hair removal creams, and electrolysis can all irritate the skin. Avoid all forms of hair removal in the areas you plan to have treated with our Procell microchanneling service in the week leading up to your appointment. If you are unsure as to what is acceptable concerning hair removal before your appointment, contact us at any time, and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

If you have never experienced a microchanneling session, following these directives will help you walk into your first appointment with skin that is fully prepared for treatment. If you have any questions about products, medications, or other things to avoid before your appointment, reach out to us at any time.