What are Free Radicals and how do they affect your skin? Can microneedling help?

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What are free radicals anyway? I like to call them the “fuck boys” of the skin. Why? Because they come in, damage everything and leave you with nothing. Sound familiar ladies?

No but seriously! What are free radicals?!

Free radicals are unstable molecules that have one or more unpaired electrons, making them highly reactive with other molecules in the body.

🧪 What They Are

• Normally, atoms have pairs of electrons.

• Free radicals are atoms or molecules missing an electron, so they try to "steal" electrons from nearby cells to stabilize themselves.

• This causes oxidative stress, damaging cells, proteins, and DNA.

  Where They Come From

Free radicals are produced naturally in the body but also come from external sources:

Internal sources:

• Normal metabolic processes (e.g., energy production)

• Inflammation

External sources:

• UV radiation (sun exposure)

• Pollution

• Cigarette smoke

• Alcohol

• Processed foods

• Pesticides

Why They Matter

• Oxidative stress from excess free radicals is linked to:

  • Skin aging (wrinkles, sagging, dullness)

  • Cancer

  • Heart disease

  • Neurodegenerative diseases (like Alzheimer’s)

How to Fight Them

The body uses antioxidants to neutralize free radicals.

Sources of antioxidants:

• Vitamin C (e.g., citrus, berries)

• Vitamin E (e.g., nuts, seeds)

• Polyphenols (e.g., green tea, dark chocolate)

• Enzymes (like glutathione, made in the body)

Microneedling can also help reverse the damage of free radicals!

Microneedling & Free Radicals: The Connection

1. Temporary Increase in Free Radicals

   • Microneedling causes controlled micro-injuries to the skin.

   • This triggers inflammation and a brief rise in free radical activity as part of the body’s natural healing response.

2. Antioxidant Defense Activation

   • The body responds by upregulating antioxidant enzymes (like glutathione and superoxide dismutase) to balance out free radicals.

   • This helps manage oxidative stress while promoting collagen production and skin regeneration.

3. Improved Antioxidant Absorption

   • Microneedling also increases skin permeability, allowing topical antioxidants (like vitamin C or E serums) to penetrate deeper.

   • Applying antioxidants after treatment helps:

     • Neutralize excess free radicals

     • Speed up healing

     • Enhance anti-aging and brightening effects

🛑 Caution

• Avoid strong antioxidants immediately after microneedling unless advised by a professional—some can irritate open skin.

• Wait 24–48 hours before applying potent actives like vitamin C or retinol, depending on your provider’s guidance.

✅ Takeaway

Microneedling can both briefly increase and help counteract free radicals—especially when paired with antioxidant-rich aftercare—making it a powerful treatment for skin renewal and defense.