Can You Go in Sauna After Microneedling? (+ Microneedling Aftercare Guide)

Visiting the sauna should always be a healing and cleansing experience, but there are some limited instances where it can actually cause harm.

It is not recommended to use a sauna immediately after microneedling as you should allow your skin to fully heal first. Microneedling makes the skin vulnerable to infection and irritation. You should wait for two weeks or more for the skin to completely heal before stepping into a sauna.

Read ahead to find out everything you need to know about using the sauna after you have had a microneedling treatment so that you can be sure you are giving your skin the care that it needs.

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Can Sweat, Heat, And Humidity Infect Microneedling?

The most significant reason why you should stay away from the sauna for a few days after a microneedling procedure is because of the increased risk of developing a skin infection.

When you have the procedure done, small needles make a number of very tiny wounds across the skin of your face. Although the risk of infection during the procedure is low (due to the sterilized equipment and disinfected environment), the skin can take a while to fully heal.

Why Infection Risk Increases After Microneedling

While your skin heals, the risk of developing an infection is considerably higher. Germs can enter through the small holes that have been created in the outer protective layer of the skin. Any environment where you are likely to sweat profusely and/or interact with a high number of germs should be avoided.

Ordinarily, the increased sweating that occurs at the sauna is very beneficial for the health of your skin, but this is not as true when your skin is vulnerable and fragile. Sweating can spread germs across the surface of the skin and lead to irritation, which will further increase the risk of infection.

Therefore, visiting swimming pools, lakes, rivers, and saunas, and even engaging in intense gym workouts can lead to infections if it is too soon after a microneedling treatment.

High temperatures are also a risk when you have just undergone microneedling, beyond simply causing you to sweat. The heat is likely to cause more damage to your skin while it is repairing itself and may result in hyperpigmentation reactions, so hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms should be avoided for this reason as well.

How Long After Microneedling Can You Use The Sauna?

syringe with fluid inside
You should wait for two weeks or more after microneedling (image source)

Once there is no longer a risk of infection, using the sauna can be a great way to promote healthy skin by improving circulation and delivering nutrients to the surface layer, helping to release toxins, and exercising your pores.

With that being said, you do need to make sure that you have allowed for enough time after the microneedling procedure to be sure that your infection risk is as low as possible.

Generally speaking, you should wait at least 48 hours before exposing your skin to any high temperatures, and you should wait at least 72 hours before entering an environment that is likely to cause excessive sweating and/or contain a high number of germs.

There is no exact time that is going to be right for each person, though, as the length of the healing process can vary. Some people are completely healed within two days of finishing their treatment, while others may experience redness and sensitivity for 3-7 days.

How To Be Sure

If you are unsure about how well your skin has healed, and whether or not you are ready to get back in the sauna, then you should speak to your dermatologist.

It is always best to get a professional opinion when it comes to the health of your skin, and they will be able to give you accurate information about exactly how the healing process is going for you in particular.

Microneedling Aftercare (A Guide)

Avoiding the sauna is not the only thing that you need to be aware of when it comes to looking after your skin post-microneedling. This procedure should be followed by a relatively significant level of aftercare in order to make sure that your skin stays as healthy as possible, and properly benefits from the treatment.

With that in mind, let’s talk about the key things that you should be doing following your microneedling, and what you should be staying away from.

  • Keep out of the heat for at least 48 hours. Avoid hot environments that can cause irritation or skin damage.
  • Stay away from germs and excessive sweating for at least 72 hours. You should not be going for an intense session at the gym, entering the sauna, or swimming in a pool until your skin has healed and your infection risk has reduced.
  • Keep your skin safe from the sun for at least 48 hours. This means avoiding direct sunlight and using mild sunscreen (suitable for sensitive skin with at least 30SPF) when you are outdoors.
two bottles of sunscreens
Be sure to use sunscreens regularly (image source)
  • Do not irritate your skin for 10-14 days. That means not using exfoliants or scrubs, as your skin will be fragile and sensitive.
  • Clean anything that comes into contact with your skin for at least 24 hours. Even your phone and glasses should be disinfected with alcohol wipes, and you should use a freshly cleaned pillowcase for the first night.
  • Keep your skin clear of makeup and other products for at least 12 hours. You want your skin to be as clear and clean as possible to reduce the chance of breakouts.

You should expect some mild swelling immediately after the treatment has finished, and symptoms like redness, minor bruising, and sensitivity are common for the first 1-3 days. If you are experiencing more significant symptoms, or your symptoms are lasting for a long time, then you should contact your dermatologist.

Conclusion

So, can you go to the sauna after you’ve had a microneedling procedure? You can, but not until the skin has fully healed.

You should wait a minimum of 72 hours before entering a sauna or any other environment where you are likely to sweat excessively or come into contact with germs, and you should avoid exposing your skin to high temperatures for at least 48 hours as well.

While your skin is healing, it is vulnerable to irritation, damage, and infection – so you need to know that it is completely restored before going back to the sauna.

(Featured image by StudioRoman from Canva)

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