What Happens to Your Skin During Microneedling?
Microneedling creates tiny, controlled micro-injuries in the skin. These small punctures trigger your body’s natural wound-healing response, boosting collagen and elastin production—key proteins responsible for smooth, firm, and youthful-looking skin. This treatment is often used to improve skin texture, reduce acne scars, minimize pore size, and smooth fine lines.
According to a 2022 study published in Dermatologic Surgery, microneedling can increase collagen and elastin production by up to 400% within six months after a series of treatments.
Can You Exercise the Day of Microneedling?
According to Megan Sforzo, and aesthetician at Aesthetic Solutions, no. It’s strongly recommended to avoid exercise for at least 48 hours after microneedling. Exercising too soon can disrupt the skin’s healing process, increase the risk of infection, and lead to unnecessary irritation.
Why Avoid Exercise After Microneedling? Key Risks Explained
- Irritation from Sweat: After microneedling, your skin is covered in tiny open channels. Sweat can seep into these micro-injuries, introducing irritants and potentially leading to stinging, burning, or redness.
- Risk of Infection: Sweat isn’t sterile—it carries bacteria from your skin’s surface. Introducing this bacteria into freshly microneedled skin increases the risk of localized infections.
- Overheating the Skin: Exercise raises your body temperature, which can increase skin redness and inflammation. This can delay healing and make post-treatment discomfort worse.
- Disrupted Healing: Sweating and friction from physical activity can interfere with the skin’s repair process. This may lead to prolonged recovery, inflammation, or uneven results.
- Risk of Hyperpigmentation: Overheating and irritation can potentially lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially in those with medium to darker skin tones.
When Can You Safely Resume Exercise After Microneedling?
You can typically resume exercise 48 hours after microneedling, provided your skin shows no signs of irritation or prolonged redness. Our office will review specific aftercare instructions after each microneedling session.
What Happens If I Sweat After Microneedling?
If you break a sweat too soon after treatment:
- Gently cleanse your skin with a mild, non-foaming cleanser.
- Apply an antimicrobial spray such as LaserSense to reduce infection risk.
- Avoid rubbing or scrubbing the treated area.
- Contact your provider if you notice any unusual irritation, redness, or swelling.
If you are interested in Microneedling in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area, contact our office for more information on treatment.
