For the first few days, keep it very gentle: a mild face wash, a mineral sunscreen and only the products we give you.
After Morpheus8 or microneedling, you are welcome to add (plated) exosomes and Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar to your post-care. Retinol and acids wait.
Shopping for aftercare? See our mineral sunscreens, Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar and (plated) DAILY Serum. Orders ship straight to you.
What should I put on my skin after Morpheus8, a peel or microneedling?
Very little at first. A mild face wash, a mineral sunscreen and the post-treatment products we give you. Nothing strong in the first few days.
For washing, use the mild cleanser we provide, or a gentle one such as Cetaphil or CeraVe, with cool water. Pat dry. Ask us when to begin the Nectar or exosomes. Product photos courtesy of each brand.
How do Morpheus8, microneedling and a chemical peel affect the skin?
All three prompt the skin to renew itself, so for a short time it is red, tight and sensitive.
“The treatment is only part of the result. How the skin is cared for in the days afterward shapes how it heals, so I would rather a patient use three gentle products well than ten with good intentions.”
Dr. Shervin Naderi
What happens in the first week, day by day?
Each treatment has its own schedule. Here is how our instructions walk you through it.
Your first week, day by day
From our own aftercare instructions. Follow the sheet you are given for your treatment.
Morpheus8
Red and tight, like a sunburn. Do not wash the treated skin. Use only the products we give you.
Wash gently with cool water and a mild cleanser. Use your post-procedure products.
Pink, less swelling. Mineral makeup is fine. No picking.
Back to your regular gentle skincare.
Retinol and acids can return.
Microneedling
Red and tight. Only your post-treatment kit. With PRP, leave it on until the next morning.
Kit cleanser and cream only, none of your own products.
Your own mild cleanser and moisturizer.
Regular skincare, including vitamin A and exfoliants.
VI Peel
Wash off the peel at home at the time you are given.
Pink and tight. Makeup is fine for the first few days.
Gentle peeling. Apply the soothing ointment from your kit liberally. Set makeup aside. Never pick.
Brighter skin, back to normal.
What comes in the VI Peel kit?
Your VI Peel comes with its own aftercare kit: a sunscreen, towelettes to use as directed, and a soothing ointment.
The ointment contains a small amount of hydrocortisone. Apply it liberally during the few days of peeling to keep the skin hydrated and prevent drying and flaking. Let the skin shed on its own and never pick it.
When can I go back to retinol, vitamin C and exfoliating acids?
After Morpheus8, keep retinol and acids off for 2 to 3 weeks. After microneedling, vitamin A products and exfoliants can return on day 8.
“Retinol and vitamin C are wonderful products, but they wait their turn. Bringing them back too early is one of the easiest ways to turn a good treatment into an irritated week.”
Dr. Shervin Naderi
Bring back one active at a time, so if anything stings, you know which product caused it. Once you are back to your routine, see our retinols and vitamin C serums.
What should I avoid while my skin heals?
Anything that rubs, heats or irritates the skin, and the sun.
Keep this list on your bathroom counter:
Do
- Wash with cool water and a mild cleanser, then pat dry
- Mineral SPF 30 or higher, reapplied every 2 hours outdoors
- A wide-brimmed hat and shade
- Ice packs and Tylenol for discomfort
- Fresh pineapple; Arnica and bromelain after treatment
Avoid
- Picking flakes, crusts or scabs
- Retinol, acids, toners and harsh products
- Motrin, Advil and ibuprofen
- Sweating, exercise, jacuzzi, sauna and steam for 3 to 7 days
- Shaving for 3 days
- Sun, tanning beds and self-tanner for 3 months
When should I call the office?
Call us right away if healing seems to be going the wrong way. If you are unsure, email a few clear, well-lit photos to Staff@NaderiCenter.com.
- A cold sore outbreak or blisters
- Pain, redness or swelling that gets worse after 2 to 3 days
- Severe pain that Tylenol does not help
- Increasing warmth, pus, chills or a fever over 101°F
- Hives, a rash or severe itching
- Darkening or lightening of the treated skin
Maryland 301.222.2020
Call 911 for trouble breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, chest pain, a racing or irregular heartbeat, fainting or a seizure.
“Please never wait and wonder. A clear photo and a short conversation early on are always better than a worried week.”
Dr. Shervin Naderi
Where can I get treatment and aftercare advice near McLean, Bethesda or Washington DC?
Morpheus8 is performed in Reston. Microneedling and VI Peels are offered at both offices.
Request an appointment online, and see all our pre and post procedure instructions.
Frequently asked questions
What should I use in the first days after Morpheus8?
Do not wash the treated skin the day of treatment; you may receive sample skincare products to apply over the next few days. Starting the next day, wash gently with cool water and a mild cleanser, such as the one provided, Cetaphil or CeraVe, and pat dry. For 2 to 3 weeks avoid drying or irritating products, including retinol and acids such as salicylic and glycolic. Around days 5 to 7 you may return to your regular gentle skincare. See our Morpheus8 instructions.
What should I use in the first days after microneedling?
Use only your post-treatment products for the first 3 days, and reapply the kit moisturizer as often as you like. If PRP was part of your treatment, do not wash it off until the next morning. On day 4 you may start your own mild cleanser and moisturizer. No vitamin A products (Retin-A, retinol, Tazorac), exfoliating medications, toners, harsh products or devices for 7 days, and no chemical peels for 14 days. On day 8 you may return to your regular skincare. See our microneedling instructions.
What should I use after a VI Peel?
Your VI Peel comes with its own kit: a sunscreen, towelettes to use as directed, and a soothing ointment with a small amount of hydrocortisone. Apply the ointment liberally during the few days of peeling to keep the skin hydrated and prevent drying and flaking. Wash off the peel at home at the time you are given, let the skin shed on its own, and never pick it. Skin is usually pink and tight for a day or two, peels gently from about day 3 to day 6, and looks brighter by day 7.
What is aftercare like after a deep chemical peel?
Deep peels have their own instructions. Depending on the depth, Dr. Naderi may have you gently cleanse 3 to 4 times a day with cotton balls soaked in cool water, use a hypochlorous acid spray, use diluted white vinegar soaks, and apply only Vaseline at first so the skin does not dry out. No makeup, sunscreen or other products until Dr. Naderi says it is OK, and avoid the sun for 3 months. See our deep chemical peel instructions.
Can I use exosomes or Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar after treatment?
Yes. After Morpheus8 or microneedling, you are welcome to use (plated) exosomes such as DAILY Serum and Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar as part of your post-care. In the first few days we do not recommend anything strong, so ask us when to begin.
When can I use retinol and acids again?
After Morpheus8, keep retinol and acids off until 2 to 3 weeks after treatment. After microneedling, you may return to your regular skincare, including vitamin A products and exfoliants, on day 8. After a deep chemical peel, hold off on your normal skincare routine until Dr. Naderi clears you. When in doubt, ask us.
Which sunscreen should I use after treatment?
A mineral sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, reapplied every 2 hours outdoors, with a wide-brimmed hat and shade. Strictly protect treated skin from direct sun, tanning beds and self-tanner for 3 months, because it burns and changes color easily. Sunscreen is not a substitute for sun avoidance. Options include Obagi Sun Shield Mineral SPF 50+ and Alastin SilkSHIELD All Mineral SPF 30.
When can I wear makeup again?
After Morpheus8 or microneedling, mineral makeup is fine from day 3. After a VI Peel, makeup is fine for the first few days, then set it aside while you peel. After a deep chemical peel, wait until Dr. Naderi says it is OK.
How long will my skin be red?
After Morpheus8 or microneedling, skin is red and flushed like a moderate sunburn, and redness should be much better within 24 to 48 hours. Skin may take up to 5 to 7 days to fully settle, depending on how extensive the treatment was. After Morpheus8 you may see a grid pattern of tiny dots or scabs that fades as the skin heals.
How can I ease discomfort, bruising and swelling?
Ice packs and Tylenol can help. Do not use anti-inflammatories such as Motrin, Advil or ibuprofen. Fresh pineapple, including the center core, or pineapple juice helps with bruising and swelling, and you may start Arnica and bromelain supplements after your treatment, not before.
When can I exercise, shave or use a sauna?
No sweating, exercise, jacuzzi, sauna or steam room until irritation has resolved, usually 3 to 7 days. Do not shave for 3 days, or longer if the skin is still irritated. After a deep chemical peel, no exercise for the first month.
Can I have treatment while pregnant or nursing?
Please tell us if you are pregnant or nursing before your treatment so we can plan with you.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shervin Naderi, MD, FACS, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Last reviewed November 2026. Aftercare follows The Naderi Center’s own treatment instructions.
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