Clinical Microchanneling & Microneedling Protocol

Room Setup

Before the client enters:

• Disinfect the treatment bed or chair
• Disinfect tray, counters, handles, light switches, and high-touch areas
• Wipe the device cord and product bottles that may be handled
• Remove clutter from the treatment zone
• Set up a clean treatment field
• Place trash and sharps container within reach
• Prepare all supplies before starting

Provider standard:

• No searching mid-treatment
• No touching phones
• No unnecessary drawer opening
• No leaving the field unless required

Consent Forms, Intake Documents, and Legal Protection

Before offering microchanneling or microneedling services, providers should have proper:

• Consent forms
• Health history forms
• Contraindication screening
• Treatment protocols
• Aftercare instructions
• Photography consent, if applicable
• Documentation systems

Client Screening

Before every treatment, review health history, current skin condition, allergies, product sensitivities, medications, recent treatments, and healing concerns.

Device Preparation and Wrapping

• Inspect the device
• Confirm it is clean and functioning properly
• Wipe the device and cord according to manufacturer guidance
• Apply a full protective barrier sleeve or plastic cover over the handpiece
• Keep the cord controlled and away from the clean field
• Confirm the wrap does not interfere with function, grip, ventilation, or tip/cartridge attachment

Sterile Tip / Cartridge Handling

• Keep sealed until ready to treat
• Open only after the skin is fully prepped
• Attach immediately to the wrapped device
• Do not touch the treatment surface
• Do not place opened tips or cartridges on counters, towels, trays, or boxes
• Never reuse single-use tips or cartridges
• Discard if cleanliness is questionable

Cleansing and Skin Preparation

• Cleanse thoroughly to remove makeup, sunscreen, oil, and debris
• Perform a second cleanse if needed
• Inspect the skin before proceeding
• Do not treat over unsafe skin

Numbing Protocol and Proper Removal

If numbing is used:

• Use Zensa or another approved topical numbing product
• Apply according to manufacturer directions and office policy
• Use clean application technique
• Avoid contaminating the container, cap, gloves, or treatment area
• Apply only to the intended treatment area
• Allow appropriate processing time
• Do not begin treatment while numbing product remains on the skin

After numbing time is complete:

• Remove the bulk of the numbing product with clean gauze, cotton rounds, or towels
• Cleanse the skin thoroughly
• Perform a second cleanse if residue remains
• Check commonly missed areas: hairline, jawline, sides of nose, nostrils, brows, upper lip, under chin, and treatment edges

Final Antimicrobial Prep

• Re-cleanse the skin
• Apply approved antimicrobial prep
• Use HOCl, approved clinical prep, Surgiheal if appropriate per protocol, or alcohol when clinically appropriate
• Allow skin to be properly prepped before treatment

Controlled Microneedling Technique Standard

For this protocol, controlled technique means stamping only.

The device should be placed intentionally, lifted fully, moved to the next section, and placed again in a controlled pattern.

Even if a company describes gliding as acceptable, this office standard does not consider gliding, dragging, or circular movements to be controlled microchanneling technique.

If the device is moving across the skin while still making contact, it is not controlled under this protocol.

During Treatment

• Begin conservatively
• Observe skin response
• Use stamping only
• Stamp, lift, move, repeat
• Apply approved treatment serum modestly as needed
• Maintain clean product handling
• Treat thin or reactive areas conservatively

Treatment Serum Handling

• Use only approved treatment serum
• Apply modestly
• Keep vial tops, caps, droppers, and openings clean
• Do not touch product-contact surfaces to skin, gloves, towels, trays, or counters
• Do not return unused product to the container
• Discard questionable product

Microneedling Aftercare & Post-Treatment Recovery

After treatment:

• Apply approved calming and hydrating products only
• Use Surgiheal, Lumara, or other approved post-care according to protocol and client suitability
• Apply approved cooling or post-treatment mask if used
• Keep post-care simple and clean

For the first 24–72 hours, instruct the client to:

• Use a clean pillowcase
• Clean phone screen
• Wash hands before touching face
• Use only approved aftercare
• Keep skin hydrated
• Avoid unnecessary touching
• Avoid makeup until cleared by office protocol
• Avoid dirty makeup brushes or sponges
• Avoid direct sun exposure and tanning

Documentation and Room Breakdown

Clinical Standard