Everyone’s skin reacts differently. This section covers the “what ifs” and special cases that can come up before or after a skin needling session — plus when to delay or modify your treatment.
I’m prone to cold sores — is this treatment safe?
Yes — but you must take a preventative antiviral (e.g. acyclovir) the day before treatment. Skin needling can trigger cold sores in those who carry the virus, especially around the mouth area.
What if I have rosacea or melasma?
You can still have skin needling — we’ll adjust depth and technique to treat you safely. If these are your main concerns, we may recommend starting with:
-
Herbal B Peel (for rosacea or inflammation)
-
RF Microneedling or Cosmelan (for melasma)
Once your skin is more stable, we can reintroduce needling as part of your long-term plan.
Can skin needling trigger pigmentation?
Post-inflammatory pigmentation (PIH) is rare but can happen in darker skin tones if the skin isn’t properly protected afterward. That’s why we:
- Use correct depth for your skin type
- Prescribe calming, pigment-safe aftercare
- Emphasise daily mineral SPF use
Needling is safe across all Fitzpatrick types when done properly.
I had a breakout after treatment — is that normal?
Mild breakouts can happen 1–3 days post-treatment due to skin purging. This is temporary and part of the healing process.
If you’re experiencing active acne, we may pause needling and recommend:
- Blemiderm
-
Herbal B Peel
Once inflammation settles, we’ll restart needling to treat residual scarring and texture.
I have allergies or sensitive skin — is that a problem?
Not necessarily. We’ll avoid triggering ingredients and monitor how your skin reacts to numbing, serums, and peels. If you’ve had allergic reactions to skincare or treatments in the past, let us know so we can patch test or modify your protocol.
What if I’ve had cosmetic injectables?
- Wait 2 weeks after anti-wrinkle injections
- Wait 4 weeks after dermal filler
Needling too soon after injectables may cause migration or interfere with results.
Can I do skin needling if I’m on Roaccutane or similar medication?
No — you must wait at least 4 weeks after stopping Roaccutane before beginning any skin needling. This is to ensure proper healing and avoid adverse reactions.
I’ve had laser recently — can I do this?
We’ll need to assess your skin in person. Typically, you should wait at least 2–4 weeks after laser before starting needling. We’ll guide you based on the type of laser and how your skin has responded.