How to Prepare for Microdermabrasion: Everything You Need to Know
You’ve booked your microdermabrasion—now what? A little prep before your appointment can make a big difference in how your skin reacts and how quickly it recovers.
From what to stop using to how to show up on the day, this guide covers everything you need to know to get the best results.
What Should You Actually Do Before Microdermabrasion?
Here’s the short version: stop using any harsh skincare (like retinoids, exfoliating acids, or benzoyl peroxide) about 3 to 5 days before your appointment.
Avoid waxing or hair removal on your face for at least a week, and skip the sun (including tanning beds or self-tanner).
On the day itself, come in with clean, makeup-free skin and keep your plans light—your face might be a little red for the rest of the day.
Why Bother Prepping at All?
Microdermabrasion might sound gentle—and compared to chemical peels or lasers, it is—but it still exfoliates your skin in a pretty big way. The treatment removes the top layer of dead skin cells, which makes your skin more sensitive right after.
If you go in with already-irritated or over-exfoliated skin, you’re more likely to leave red, raw, or uncomfortable.
A little prep gives your skin a chance to calm down beforehand, so you get better results and a smoother recovery. Think of it like giving your skin a heads-up—it’ll thank you for it.
Your 7-Day Prep Countdown
Here’s your simple, no-stress prep plan. Follow this and your skin will be ready to get the most out of your treatment without extra redness or irritation.
7 days before
- Avoid tanning: no sunbathing, tanning beds, or self-tanner
- Stop all facial waxing, threading, or hair removal—allow at least one full week for skin to heal post-treatment
- Switch to a gentle, non-exfoliating cleanser
3 to 5 days before
- Pause retinoids (like tretinoin, adapalene)
- Stop exfoliating acids (like glycolic, lactic, salicylic), scrubs, and benzoyl peroxide
- Don’t use any resurfacing masks, peel pads, or harsh spot treatments
24 hours before
- Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol
- Skip makeup, heavy creams, or exfoliating tools
- Skip shaving or any other hair removal
Day of your appointment
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Don’t use makeup, SPF, or lotion
- Avoid sun exposure before and after. Wear a wide-brimmed hat if it’s sunny
- Go straight home if possible and take it easy (no gym, pool, or steam rooms)
Products & Meds You’ll Want to Pause or Discuss
Some ingredients and treatments can make your skin more sensitive or prone to irritation during microdermabrasion. Here’s what to press pause on, how far in advance to do it, and why it matters:
- Retinoids (like tretinoin, adapalene, or retinol)
Stop 3 to 5 days before your treatment
These speed up skin cell turnover, which can leave your skin more delicate. Give your face a break so the treatment doesn’t overdo it. - Exfoliating acids (AHAs, BHAs, glycolic, salicylic, lactic acid)
Stop 2 to 3 days before
These already exfoliate your skin—stacking them with microdermabrasion can lead to redness, dryness, or peeling. - Benzoyl peroxide
Stop 2 to 3 days before
It’s great for breakouts but harsh on the skin barrier. Microdermabrasion can amplify that dryness or irritation if it’s already sensitised. - Waxing, threading, or depilatory creams
Avoid for at least 7 days before
These can leave your skin raw or with tiny open areas. Give your skin a full week to recover before any exfoliating treatment. - Shaving the face
Skip it for 24–48 hours before your appointment
Even a clean shave can create small nicks or irritation. Let your skin calm down first. - Chemical peels, laser treatments, or injectables
Wait at least 1 to 2 weeks between these and your microdermabrasion
Combining strong treatments too close together can irritate your skin and lead to uneven results. - Oral isotretinoin (Accutane)
You should wait 6–12 months after stopping this medication before getting microdermabrasion
It slows healing and increases the risk of scarring. Always check with your dermatologist if you’re currently on or recently stopped it. - NSAIDs and blood-thinners (like aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, or vitamin E)
Check with your doctor first, but pausing these 3–5 days before may reduce the chance of light bruising
This is usually more relevant for deeper treatments, but still worth mentioning if you’re prone to sensitivity.
And finally—tell your provider about any medications, supplements, or recent skin treatments you’ve used. Even over-the-counter products can affect how your skin reacts, so it’s best to be upfront.
What to Tell Your Provider Before Your Appointment
Cold sore history
If you’ve ever had a cold sore—even just once—mention it. Microdermabrasion can sometimes trigger a flare-up, especially around the mouth or nose. Your provider may recommend taking a preventative antiviral, like valacyclovir, a day or two before the treatment.
Keloids or pigmentation issues
Let them know if your skin scars easily or if you’ve ever developed raised scars (keloids). Also bring up any history of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or melasma. These conditions don’t mean you can’t get microdermabrasion, but they might suggest adjusting the intensity—or considering another treatment that’s gentler on pigment-prone skin.
Recent treatments
Be honest about anything you’ve had done recently, even if it seemed minor. Chemical peels, microneedling, laser sessions, or injectables like Botox and fillers should be spaced properly apart from microdermabrasion to avoid overworking the skin.
What to Ask Before You Get Started
“Will you be using a crystal or diamond-tip device?”
Both are common. Crystal devices use fine crystals to exfoliate and vacuum away dead skin, while diamond-tip tools use a textured wand. Your provider can recommend the best option based on your skin’s needs.
“How long will the redness last for my skin type?”
Most people leave with some mild redness that fades within a few hours, but if you have sensitive skin or certain conditions, it might take longer. Asking upfront helps you plan your day (and avoid surprise plans right after).
“Do I need to bring anything for aftercare?”
Some clinics provide a calming product for post-treatment skin, while others ask you to use your own gentle moisturizer. It’s helpful to know this ahead of time so you’re not left guessing what’s safe to apply afterward.
What to Do (and Not Do) on the Day of Your Appointment
Skip the makeup and heavy skincare
There’s no need to apply anything that morning—no SPF, no moisturizer, no makeup. Your provider will cleanse your skin again before the treatment, so starting with a bare face just keeps things simple and avoids unnecessary buildup.
Stay out of the sun if you can
Freshly exfoliated skin is more vulnerable to sun damage, so avoid direct sunlight before and after your appointment. If you’re heading there during the day, wear a wide-brimmed hat or stick to the shade. Hold off on sunscreen until later, once your skin has calmed down and your provider says it’s okay to reapply.
Take a break from sweating
Skip workouts, saunas, hot yoga, and even steamy showers for the rest of the day. Sweat and heat can cause stinging, especially right after microdermabrasion, when your skin is feeling more sensitive than usual.
Keep your day easy if you can
There’s no real downtime, but your skin might look a little flushed—like a light sunburn. If you have something big planned that evening or don’t want to deal with redness in photos, it’s best to keep your schedule low-key just in case.
Final Thoughts
Microdermabrasion isn’t a big or intimidating treatment, but a little prep still goes a long way. Think of it as getting your skin into the best possible mood before giving it a refresh. Simple steps, better results.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology – Microdermabrasion preparation
- Cleveland Clinic – Microdermabrasion: what it is & how to prepare
- Mayo Clinic – Microdermabrasion for age-spot treatment (risks & aftercare)
- DermNet NZ – Microdermabrasion overview
- ASDS (American Society for Dermatologic Surgery) – Patient prep guide
- Healthline – Medically reviewed microdermabrasion guide
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