Can I Use Vitamin C Serum After Microneedling?

Vitamin C Serum is one of the most popular skincare serums available on the market, and for good reason.

But have you ever wondered, can I use vitamin c serum after microneedling treatments?

Today, we go deep into this question to explain the pros and cons of using this serum when microneedling.

Is Vitamin C Good After Microneedling?

It's 50/50, it depends.

We recommend not using vitamin c serum after microneedling as it is a powerful active ingredient.

When you apply vitamin c directly after a micro-needling treatment, it may irritate the skin.

This is almost guaranteed for sensitive skin types but is also common with other skin types.

If you'd like to use vitamin c serum directly after microneedling, we recommend doing a small spot test on your arm to see how your skin reacts.

Why Can't You Use Vitamin C Serums With Derma Roller Treatments?

While it's true that applying a serum after a derma roller session will boost its absorption by up to 40%, we have to be careful with Vitamin C Serums and Retinol products.

You can use vitamin c after your derma rolling session, but you must be careful to test a small area first to see if you get a minor skin irritation.

If you don't get a bad reaction, then you're one of the lucky ones! Feel free to use your vitamin c any day you like.

What Serum Should I Use After Microneedling?

The best serum to apply after microneedling is hyaluronic acid serum.

This is the one product that almost everyone can and should apply after a microneedling treatment as it will keep your skin hydrated.

We recommend a product with multiple molecular weights, like the Advanced Tri-Hyaluronic Acid Serum.

If you use a basic hyaluronic acid, the molecular weight will likely be too large, and your skin cells won't absorb most of it.

By using a multiple molecular weight product, you get a much higher absorption rate every day, not just on your microneedling days.

The skin barrier and skin cells are advanced and usually cannot be penetrated easily by serums.

Hyaluronic acid will greatly improve dry skin, dead skin cells, connective tissue and signs of aging skin.

For serum application after microneedling on the body its best to go for a specialised cream such as the Intensive Stretch Marks Cream. 

How Vitamin C Serum Helps Your Skin

Vitamin C helps in the following ways:

• Makes the skin healthy

• Treating acne scars

• Increases collagen production

• Gives you radiant skin

• Helps uneven skin tone

• Increases elastin production

• Lightens dark spots

• Can help to repair sun damage

• Improves skin texture

When Can I Use Vitamin C Serum After Microneedling Treatment

If you're one of the unlucky ones that can't use vitamin c with your microneedling treatments, we recommend waiting until at least the following day before using it.

If you're super sensitive, then wait 48-72 hours before you start using your vitamin c again.

Once this time has passed, the top layer of skin is 100% closed, and its like applying it to your normal skin.

This rule also applies to products such as glycolic acid, retinol and green tea oil.

How To Use a Derma Roller with Vitamin C Serum

If using a derma roller from home, we have some basic guidelines that will help you to know how to use your derma roller in combination with your vitamin c.

• Sensitive skin types should avoid vitamin c on rolling days.

• Patch testing should be done to see how your skin reacts to using vitamin c after dermarolling.

• Don't use vitamin c serum more than once a day and feel free to take multiple days off to give your skin a break.

• If in doubt, use your vitamin c on non-rolling days only.

Using Vitamin C Serums Before Derma Rolling

Some people like to use their serums before derma roller treatments, but we don't recommend this.

Your skin should be 100% clean and free from any products or makeup before you commence your microneedling.

Once you are finished your session, you can immediately apply your serums.

This ensures you control the environment completely and no irritation or skin infections can occur from external skincare products.

Leading up to a microneedling session, feel free to use vitamin c as normal, theres no need to stop using it days before your treatment.

Summary

Vitamin c serum is truly one of the best serums available right now.

Combining it with skincare devices such as microneedling pens and derma rollers is possible if you know what you're doing.

The healing process after microneedling is very fast for the outer layer of skin so if you're an avid user; then you can rest assured knowing you can continue using your serums within your skincare routine normally most days of the week.

Whether you're using vitamin c for acne scarring, collagen and elastin production (collagen induction therapy), skin regeneration, new skin cells or just to lighten dark spots, by doing things correctly, you'll have a much better experience.

For more interesting information on skin treatments and microneedling, check out the following articles:

How Many Skin Needling Sessions Do I Need?

Skin Needling For Pigmentation - The Complete Guide

How Long After Skin Needling Can I Wear Makeup?