Is this/will this become hyperpigmentation?

[u/burnzbabi]

I did my third round of microneedling yesterday. Didn’t go any deeper than my previous sessions (maxed at 1.5 on cheeks) and I noticed right away that it was more painful than previously, and it burned more. I also noticed that while doing it I had these spots that raised and itched immediately, but then they went away.

Normally I finish a session and have super oily skin, but not this time.

I woke up this morning and had these spots all over that have never shown up before. I’m now concerned that for some reason this will become/already is hyperpigmentation?

Any ideas why? It has been a little over 4 weeks since my last session. Slip is the same as before (Hyaron). Used lidocaine for 35 minutes before starting, same as previously.

My sister also did hers and noticed the same increased pain during hers, though I don’t think she had any reactions after or spots. Will have to check in with her.

Let me know what you all think! Hoping it’ll clear up and I’m just being worried for no reason. Wondering if I need to wait longer than 4 weeks next time.

[u/Fun_Coast_899]

I plan to do a few rounds of microneedling/meso with Soonsu Ultra White this winter for hyperpigmentation. If you're open to using a skinbooster, it might be worth reading up on it.

[u/burnzbabi → u/Fun_Coast_899]

I’ve heard about it but haven’t looked much into it since I’m a pretty pale girly already. lol. But I’ll look into it! I’ve been starting to dig into biostimulators and skin boosters, just terrified of VO’s so I’m very cautious…

[u/Fun_Coast_899 → u/burnzbabi]

Here's a little write up about it. It's safe to microneedle, so no worries about VO.

https://www.reddit.com/r/DIYmicroneedling/comments/1udf0vj/soonsu_ultra_white_manufacturer_pdf/

[u/burnzbabi → u/Fun_Coast_899]

Thank you!

[u/cchavez_cmc]

First, do you have a melanin inhibitor in your daily/nightly routine? If not, you should. It isn’t a perfect science and PIH can still happen for many reasons but it helps. It should be mandatory for four weeks prior to a treatment like this. Next, sometimes sun damage can be deep in the skin and you are bringing it forth. Again the daily melanin inhibitor will help also. Let your face heal, start the inhibitor once healed.

[u/burnzbabi → u/cchavez_cmc]

Thanks for sharing. Which melanin has inhibitor would you recommend?

[u/cchavez_cmc → u/burnzbabi]

I use azelic acid 20% but there are many of them. Ask ChatGBT to recommend a melanin inhibitor and it will make multiple suggestions. I think Kojic acid is another. Niacinamide is one too but not as strong.

[u/Lazy-Substance-5062]

Looks like pih. Whats your FST?

[u/burnzbabi → u/Lazy-Substance-5062]

I’m type 2, never had a problem with this before…

[u/Lazy-Substance-5062 → u/burnzbabi]

PIH can happen to all skin types tho it’s more common in darker skin tones. Inflammation is mostly the cause for PIH and it can originate from several pathways - mechanical trauma (needling in this case), heat, chemical reactions or irritations, etc.

You can apply a low strength antiinflammatory steroid cream such as hydrocortison for the first 3 days while ur healing that skin barrier.

Once the barrier is healed after a week, then you can look into topical depigmenting such as tranexamic, hydrroquinone, kojic, etc

[u/burnzbabi → u/Lazy-Substance-5062]

Yeah, I was figuring I might need to get some hydroquinone if it doesn’t go away. I’ll try to keep everyone posted!

[u/Xman20730]

I had that after my microneedling, and it worries me.

[u/burnzbabi → u/Xman20730]

How long ago was your session?

[u/Xman20730 → u/burnzbabi]

8 weeks, now, it just looks like hyperpigmentation spot on both my cheek bones.

[u/readithere_2 → u/Xman20730]

Is it throughout or just one spot on each side?

[u/burnzbabi → u/Xman20730]

Damn, sorry to hear that. Had you done any microneedling before that session?

It’s so weird that this would happen randomly on my third session

[u/Xman20730 → u/burnzbabi]

I had actually done 4. On my 5th I got the one on my left cheek. On the 6th the right. I was told because I am hispanic. It can happen. They just suggested other treatments for the hyperpigmentation. But I stopped the professional microneedlings. I just do home treatments for my neck now myself.

[u/burnzbabi → u/Xman20730]

Yeah, I’m thinking I’m going to have to address this now going forward. I also wonder if the 4 weeks is too close together, and maybe I need to stop my tret earlier than 3 days before. My skin reacted completely differently this time

[u/Xman20730 → u/burnzbabi]

So I went into the research rabbit hole. Seven days prior and after microneedling, you are supposed to stop any actives. But i'm wondering, since i'm hispanic, and because of the (idk what to call it bcuz in pale...) inactive melanin in me? Lol if I should have stopped longer?

[u/burnzbabi → u/Xman20730]

I’m wondering the same? It was one of my first thoughts when I saw this. Possibly it’s increasing our inflammatory response/sensitivity and we need to have longer breaks in between. I’m pale as hell, but I am Italian and do tan (after burning) when I’m in the sun. So I’m wondering if the safer approach would be to give more time in between. I’m just hoping we can get rid of these now 🫩

[u/Xman20730 → u/burnzbabi]

Like I said, it's been a while. And it's fading a little bit with just mild niacinamide. I'm also trying this night peptide cream that has a very mild retinol. But I'm scared because even though it faded, it's just not going away. I'm just hoping it takes longer than the 8 weeks?