Is It Safe to Do Microneedling if I Have a Summer Tan?
It is one of the most common questions we hear at KC Wellness during the summer months: "I went to Lake Eufaula last weekend and got some color. Do I need to cancel my microneedling appointment?"
Many patients in Oklahoma City have been conditioned to believe that having a summer tan means they are disqualified from all medical-grade skin treatments until November. While this rule absolutely applies to intense chemical peels and heat-based lasers, it does not apply to microneedling.
If you are carrying a summer glow, you can breathe a sigh of relief. SkinPen Microneedling is completely safe to perform on tanned skin. Here is the science behind why you don't have to pause your collagen journey this summer.
The Danger of Lasers on Tanned Skin
To understand why microneedling is safe, we first have to explain why lasers are not.
Most cosmetic lasers (like IPL or BBL) work by seeking out pigment (melanin) in the skin. When the laser hits a dark sun spot, it heats up the pigment to destroy it. However, if your entire face is tanned, your skin has uniformly high levels of melanin. The laser cannot tell the difference between the sun spot and your tan, and it may end up heating the healthy tanned skin, causing severe burns or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Why SkinPen is "Colorblind"
SkinPen Microneedling, on the other hand, does not use heat, light, or lasers. It relies entirely on mechanical energy.
During your session, the FDA-cleared SkinPen device uses tiny, sterile needles to create thousands of microscopic, vertical channels in the dermis. Because there is no heat involved, the device does not interact with the melanin in your skin at all. It is completely "colorblind."
Whether you are at your palest winter baseline or sporting a golden summer tan, the microneedles safely bypass the pigment-producing cells to trigger your body’s natural collagen-building response deep within the tissue.
The Sunburn Exception
While a tan is perfectly fine, there is one major exception: You cannot get microneedling if you have an active sunburn. If your skin is red, hot, peeling, or inflamed from too much sun, your skin barrier is severely compromised. Performing microneedling on a sunburn would cause unnecessary pain and severe inflammation. You must wait until the sunburn has completely healed and your skin returns to normal before sitting in Kelli’s chair.
Post-Treatment Summer Safety
While having a tan before your treatment is safe, you must be extremely careful with the sun after your treatment.
For the first 24 to 48 hours after microneedling, those micro-channels are open, and your skin will feel like it has a mild sunburn. During this crucial healing window, your skin is highly vulnerable to UV damage.
You must completely avoid direct sunlight.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat if you must step outside.
Do not apply chemical sunscreens until the micro-channels have closed (usually after 24 hours).
Keep Your Results Going
Don't let the summer sun derail your progress. Continue your Microneedling Series ($1,600 for 4 treatments) to keep smoothing acne scars, shrinking pores, and firming your skin all year long.
KC Wellness 13820 Wireless Way, Oklahoma City, OK 73134. (Located inside Refined OKC)
