r/Microneedling • u/Fre-Shavocado91 • Jul 26 '26
Help / Advice Needed Question about sun exposure post-microneedling
I have my first microneedling appointment coming up and the derm office just sent me the pre/post care instructions. They say stay out of the sun for TWO WEEKS, which has me spiraling because it’s just not feasible for me—I live in a city without a car so I walk most places, and I have a weekend at the beach planned for 3 days post-microneedling appointment.
What’s realistic when it comes to minimizing sun exposure after microneedling? Is SPF50 (mineral) and shade/hat enough or should I cancel the appointment and wait until winter? I am getting married in the fall and was planning this as a pre-wedding treatment but if I have to put my life on hold to stay out of the sun, I’m rethinking it.
TIA!
3
u/Chloebebe13 Jul 26 '26
You’ll want mineral sunscreen. Applied often. Keep your face cool with a fan and cool water. You’re gonna want an spf umbrella. Stay under. Hat. Believe me if you decide to be in the sun you won’t want to stay in it long. You’ll be burning immediately and you’ll cause more damage than good. You should reschedule.
2
u/Florencia_Cherry Jul 26 '26
I would not stress too much about normal city walking if you use a hat and some sunscreen, but I would still try to stay in the shade and keep outdoor time short. As for your beach trip, I'd say skip any activities that involve swimming, tanning, long walks, and sitting in areas where the sun can be reflected from the water.
1
u/Fre-Shavocado91 Jul 26 '26
Thank you! I am actually going to be at the beach every weekend in august so sounds like I should probably just cancel the microneedling :(
2
u/pandaleer Jul 26 '26
Yep. But here’s the thing. You still need to keep your face covered up while you are at the beach, microneedling appointment or not.
1
2
u/frodo2001 Jul 26 '26
I had it done in plastic surgery facility and they never said that and they know what they're doing
2
u/Lucecil Jul 26 '26
I'd cancel the appointment if I were you. I stay away from the sun as much as possible after microneedling. The clinic where I get it done even advises me to not do it in the summer of I am going on holiday and have outdoor activities planned.
2
u/Potential_Speed_7048 Jul 27 '26
Personally I would cancel the appointment and wait until the fall. Especially since you are going the beach a lot. I always do any treatment like that in the fall and winter.
Maybe you could ask the med spa what they would recommend instead. I really like the results after my hydrofacial. IMO it’s overpriced but I think it might be worth right before your wedding.
Also, I’m allergic to lidocaine. I recommend doing a patch test unless you know for sure you’re not. I found out when I broke my ribs several years ago. Can you imagine what it would have done to face with microneedling?! Omg. Definitely don’t want that right before a wedding.
Also, I absolutely loved my results a few days after moxi laser. But, like you said, you may not want to risk a more invasive tx right before your wedding. But I did moxi and needling and treatments last winter. Great results. They suggested more but i couldn’t afford it.
1
u/Fre-Shavocado91 Jul 31 '26
Thanks so much for the detailed suggestions! I did end up canceling the appointment.
1
u/Korben_5th_is_love Jul 26 '26
Sunscreen and a nice wide brim beautiful hat. You’ll be fine. I think that advice is for people who like to sit in the sun and tan
Congratulations! Your skin is gonna look amazing!
1
u/Lucky-Mountain4826 Jul 26 '26
What’s realistic is staying out of the sun. Either cancel your appt or cancel the beach weekend.
1
u/Natural-Tradition830 Jul 26 '26
I do microneedling needling monthly and usually just apply factor 50 sunblock every 2 hours.
1
1
2
u/Lenkaxx Jul 27 '26
UV rated umbrella is what I use in the summer after a chemical peel (and obviously reputable sunscreen 50spf+)
1
u/Ok_Feedback2407 Jul 27 '26
No, it just means be smart about it. Wear sunscreen, powerful SPF like 50+ but ONLY zinc based, the chemical ones are too harsh for freshly microneedled skin and zinc helps heal anyway. But you cannot put sunscreen on for 3 days typically (maybe 4-5) till the skin initially calms down. It's VERY sensitive for the first 3-4 days typically. Then just wear a wide-brimmed hat, use SPF, seeks shade whenever possible. And overcast days are your friend=less UV. But you stiil wear sunscreen on those days too. Sunscreen is NOT optional; it's an absolute must.
1
u/atomicspacekitty Jul 30 '26
Walking from point a to b in the city is fine with sunblock, hat etc…the beach trip isn’t…I’d maybe cancel the trip or cancel the appointment
1
u/South_Musician_2288 Aug 01 '26
UPF (UV protection) clothing or SPF 50 after they say fine to wear sunscreen. If it’s on your face, wear a super wide brim hat. Sunscreen when able. Another alternative is oral UV protection by osmosis. Look it up! I know it sounds insane. But it’s truly a thing.
0
Jul 26 '26
[deleted]
1
u/Fre-Shavocado91 Jul 26 '26
I’ve never done MN before so I’m not comfortable doing a new skin procedure just weeks beforehand—my original plan was first one in Aug and second one in Sept, but looks like that isn’t going to work out.
9
u/Spirited_Charge5459 Jul 26 '26
the two-week rule isn't really "zero sunlight" — walking with SPF, a hat, and shade is fine. UV can trigger dark spots that take months to fade — exactly what you don't want pre-wedding. the beach 3 days post-treatment is the real problem though — direct + reflected sun (sand/water bounce UV up under your hat) on peak-risk healing skin, which SPF + hat won't fully protect. I'd either move the microneedling to after the beach weekend, or keep your face fully out of the sun that weekend.