Microneedling and Lactic Acid: Can You Use Them Together?

Can I use Lactic Acid After Mirconeedling?

Microneedling and lactic acid, one is a favourite treatment, the other a popular skincare ingredient. With both delivering impressive results, you are left wondering how or if you can combine these together. Before we investigate, let’s have a brief recap on what lactic acid is and how microneedling works as this will hopefully make a lot more sense, and we can see who’s paying attention in the back!

What is Microneedling?

Using tiny, sterilised needles, microneedling helps to stimulate the production of collagen.

The needles vary from a diameter of 0.5 to 2.5 and feel like a slight prick. They will not penetrate too far into the skin surface.

It can improve the appearance of scars caused from acne and minor surface wounds.

Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, whilst helping the skin become firmer.

Combat areas of hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and sun damage.

Can be used on the whole body, from skin, scalp, and feet.

This minimal invasive treatment dates to 1995 and has come on leaps and bounds. With new technology and a tidal wave of new skincare fans searching for their nearest practitioner.

Will deliver rapid results as well as establishing plumper, younger looking skin for the long-term too.

What is Lactic Acid?

A chemical exfoliant that belongs in the group of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA)

Derived from soured milk and synthetically developed for skincare products

Has a larger molecular size meaning it is unable to penetrate the lower layers of the dermis and cause irritation and dryness.

Works on the outer surface to slough away the layer of dead skin cells, bacteria, dirt, and debris that can build-up and cause breakouts and leave the complexion looking dull and lack lustre.

Contains humectant traits meaning it can draw moisture into the skin and lock it into the skin barrier keeping it strengthened and able to protect against exposure to free radicals and other environmental aggressors.

If you wanted to know more about lactic acid and the benefits it can deliver to the skin, check out our dedicated blog post.

Can I use lactic acid after mirconeedling?

Not really, even though lactic acid is one of the mildest forms of AHAs, applying it to the skin after mirconeedling. This is because exfoliation is one of the main benefits of lactic acid, which will cause too much irritation. When the small needles are rolled over the skin during microneedling, the skin is triggered into thinking the surface is damaged and so kick starts the collagen production. Whilst the skin is stimulating this, it is also left weakened temporarily meaning anything applied to the skin will penetrate deeper into the skin, this can spell trouble for a product such as an acid as it will become too potent leading to irritation and other unwanted side effects.

When can I use acids after microneedling?

During the healing stages after your microneedling treatment, chemical exfoliants and similar acids, such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid should be avoided for at least 2-3 days. This will inhibit these exfoliants from over stimulating the skin and causing flare up in redness, dryness, and irritation. You should also avoid applying other active ingredients, such as any form of retinoids as this will result in negative side effects.

If the acid you’re using is hyaluronic acid however, then this can be applied to the skin once you have completed your microneedling. This is because although it is called an acid, HA does not work the same way as it doesn’t exfoliant the skin. Instead, it is known for its humectant abilities making it an effective ingredient as it will lock in moisture, boost collagen production, and keep the skin hydrated.

Once 2-3 days have past you will be able to apply acids onto the skin, but I would suggest doing this after you have applied hyaluronic acid to avoid any irritation. It is also very important to apply a daily SPF containing a factor 50 to keep the skin protected from UV damage.

What should you not do after microneedling?

As I have already mentioned, after mirconeedling you should avoid skin ingredients such as retinol, AHAs, BHAs, and vitamin C. You should also avoid anything that is heavily perfumed, and this will result in redness and increased sensitivity.

It is suggested by many dermatologists, you must leave at least 48 hours before applying any form of makeup or cleanser to the skin. You should wait an extra day before applying any active ingredients, especially ones as potent as retinol, and vitamin C.

If you have any concerns about what to use on the skin after microneedling, I strongly suggest you consult with your doctor, dermatologist, or ask the professional who performed your treatment for advice.

What serum should I use after mirconeedling?

Hyaluronic acid is the best serum to use after mirconeedling. As I have already mentioned, the clever humectant can deliver impressive, hydrating results without the risk of increasing skin sensitivity and unwanted reactions.

Because HA can bind together double its molecular weight in water it leaves the skin supercharged with hydration. The skin surface is left looking plumped and youthful whilst calming the skin after the treatment is carried out. Quite often the skin will become tight and dry after microneedling which if left can result in a lot of discomfort and leave the skin barrier weakened. This results in the skin becoming susceptible to further damage as well as kick starting the sebum production, which will then lead to excessive oil and a knock on effective of frequent breakouts, problematic skin, and no clarity for the complexion.

Is it OK to use vitamin C after mirconeedling?

No, not really, this is because vitamin C can cause irritation to the skin after you have had microneedling. You’ll find the potent powerhouse will penetrate too far into the dermis causing increased sensitivity, severe dryness, irritation, redness, and weakened skin barrier. In other words, you skin will become more damaged with existing damage becoming worse. Just like the other acids I have mentioned, for optimal results without the side effects, wait 2-3 days before applying vitamin C after microneedling.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any further questions, you can find out more over on our Instagram and find one of our skin experts in the direct messages who are happy to help.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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