Microdermabrasion Treatment: First-Week Aftercare You Can Follow
By Skin By Erin Alicea | October 26, 2026
Quick rule that protects your results: keep your skin calm and protected. That means gentle cleansing, no actives for 48 to 72 hours, and consistent SPF every morning. I do this work in a comfortable, calming space where people tell me my touch is unmatched, and the aftercare matters just as much as the 45-minute microdermabrasion itself.
If you’re in Los Gatos and you booked microdermabrasion because you want smoother, brighter skin, you’re in the right place. This is a non-invasive exfoliation treatment using fine crystals to lift dead skin cells, and it can make a real difference for rough texture, dullness, acne scarring, and sun damage. Your job this week is simple. Don’t “strip” your skin after I’ve already exfoliated it. Keep things gentle, protect your barrier, and let that fresh surface settle in.
Your first 24 to 48 hours after microdermabrasion (this is where people overdo it)
Right after a microdermabrasion facial, your skin is usually a little pink, a little warm, and extra ready to absorb whatever you put on it. That’s great for hydration, and not great for strong actives. For the first day or two, I generally recommend a simple routine only.
Do this today
- Cleanse with a mild, non-foaming cleanser using lukewarm water. No scrub brushes.
- Moisturize with a fragrance-free moisturizer. If you have a hydrating serum like hyaluronic acid, this is the time.
- Wear broad-spectrum SPF 30+ the next morning, even if it’s a “cooler” Los Gatos day. Our Mediterranean sun still shows up.
Skip this for 24 to 48 hours
- Retinoids, AHAs/BHAs, exfoliating toners, and at-home peels.
- Hot yoga, heavy sweating, saunas, steam rooms, and super hot showers.
- Makeup if you can avoid it. If you need it, keep it light and clean and don’t rub it off aggressively.
If you have plans in Downtown Los Gatos, like walking around North Santa Cruz Avenue or meeting someone near the Town Plaza, bring a hat and stick to shade. Sun plus fresh exfoliation is how people accidentally trigger irritation or pigment.
Days 3 to 7: keep the glow, don’t chase it
By day three, most people feel “back to normal” and that’s when they reach for a scrub, a retinol, or a strong acne product. Don’t. Microderm already did the heavy lifting. This week is about protecting the smoothness so it lasts.
Here’s what I want you doing through the first week:
- SPF every morning, and reapply if you’re outside. A mineral sunscreen is often the easiest choice right after microderm.
- Keep cleansing gentle. If you’re feeling a little dry or tight, that’s your sign to simplify, not “treat it harder.”
- No waxing, no depilatory creams, and no aggressive facial hair removal for the week.
- Avoid tanning beds, hot tubs, and chlorinated pools for at least a few days. Heat and chemicals can irritate freshly exfoliated skin.
- Hands off. Picking at flakes or congestion can turn a tiny irritation into a week-long problem.
A lot of my regulars love that they leave feeling relaxed and glowing, but the glow sticks around longer when you don’t over-exfoliate at home. If you’re active and you’ve got a weekend hike planned on Los Gatos Creek Trail, I’m not telling you to stop living your life. I’m telling you to be smart for a few days: lower the intensity, rinse sweat promptly, and don’t let sweat and sunscreen sit on your skin for hours.
The simple routine I like after a microderm facial (cleanser, moisturizer, SPF)
If you’re tempted to buy ten new products after a microdermabrasion treatment, pause. Simple tends to win in the first week. I focus on calming, hydrating, and protecting.
Morning
Gentle cleanse (or a water rinse if you’re dry), hydrating serum if you use one, moisturizer, then broad-spectrum SPF 30+. If sunscreen usually breaks you out, tell me. I work with a lot of acne-prone skin and I’ll point you toward textures that don’t feel heavy.
Night
Gentle cleanse, hydrating serum, moisturizer. If you’re flaky, look for barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides. Skip acids and retinoids until your skin feels fully calm again.
If you’re breaking out: don’t panic and don’t carpet-bomb your face with actives. A short-term purge or congestion shift can happen after exfoliation. I’d rather you message me and we decide what makes sense for your skin.
If you want a bigger picture view of what I do beyond microderm, take a look at our facials services in Downtown Los Gatos. It helps you figure out what to pair with microderm over time for texture, acne, and glow.
If something feels “off” after microdermabrasion, reach out sooner, not later
Most people do great after microdermabrasion with a little pinkness and mild sensitivity that settles quickly. And I’m also not the kind of esthetician who disappears the minute you walk out the door. One of my clients put it best when they said I’m “available 24/7 for any questions that arise” and that I respond with “amazing detailed info.” That’s the relationship I aim for.
“She’s also available 24/7 for any questions that arise, and I have taken advantage of that… thank you for always responding rapidly and with amazing detailed info.”
one of our regulars
What’s normal vs. what needs a message
- Normal: mild redness, a warm feeling, light tightness, a little dryness.
- Message me: worsening redness after day two, swelling, blistering, intense burning, or anything that feels alarming or sudden.
- Also message me if you have an event and you’re not sure when to restart your actives. I’ll give you a clear timeline.
If you’re commuting in from Monte Sereno, Saratoga, Campbell, San Jose, or Cupertino, I know you need plans that fit real life. When you’re ready to keep the momentum going, microdermabrasion is often best as a series. I’ll tell you what schedule makes sense for your skin, and I’ll keep your home routine easy to follow.
Need help between visits? Email me at skinbyerinalicea@gmail.com or call +18313253982. If you’re stopping by Downtown Los Gatos (near the Town Plaza), my studio details are here: 101 Church St, Unit 19, Los Gatos, CA 95030-6916.
Microdermabrasion aftercare FAQs I get every week
How long does redness last after Microdermabrasion Treatment?
Mild redness often fades within a few hours and usually within 24 hours. If you’re still noticeably red after 48 hours, or it’s getting worse instead of better, message me so I can guide you.
Can I wear makeup after Microdermabrasion Treatment?
If you can skip it for 24 hours, that’s ideal. If you need makeup sooner, keep it light, use clean tools, and remove it gently that night. No scrubbing.
When can I exercise or go for a run after Microdermabrasion Treatment?
I generally recommend waiting at least 24 hours before heavy sweating. If you do a lighter workout sooner, keep it cool, don’t touch your face, and rinse and cleanse gently right after.
Can I go swimming or use a hot tub after Microdermabrasion Treatment?
I’d avoid hot tubs for a few days because heat can trigger irritation. For swimming, wait at least 48 to 72 hours if you can, and be cautious with chlorinated pools. If you’re unsure based on your skin sensitivity, ask me and I’ll help you time it.
How soon can I resume retinoids or chemical exfoliants after Microdermabrasion Treatment?
Most people do best waiting 48 to 72 hours. If you’re sensitive, dry, or you had extra redness, give it longer. Restart slowly, and if you’re using prescription-strength products, check in with me first so we don’t undo your results.
What’s the difference between a microderm facial and Microdermabrasion Treatment?
People use “microderm facial” as a casual name. Microdermabrasion Treatment is the exfoliation step using fine crystals to remove dead skin cells. I can also pair it with supportive facial steps like hydration and calming products based on what your skin needs that day.
Is a microdermabrasion facial good for acne and texture?
It can be, especially for roughness, uneven texture, and post-acne marks. If you’re actively breaking out, I’ll guide you on timing and what to use at home so you don’t irritate inflamed skin.
Can you combine facial and microdermabrasion in one visit?
Yes. I often build a session that includes microdermabrasion plus calming and hydrating steps so you leave smoother and brighter without feeling raw. If you have outdoor plans in Los Gatos right after, tell me so I can keep things extra gentle and SPF-focused.