You are mid-session. Needles are moving. Channels are forming in real time. What serums to use during microneedling at this exact moment determines two things simultaneously — whether your device glides smoothly without dragging or tearing, and whether you accidentally introduce irritants through channels that lead directly to your dermis. The wrong serum during microneedling does not just feel uncomfortable. It triggers inflammatory cascades that compete with the collagen signaling your procedure was designed to activate. A 60-patient randomized study confirmed that HA applied during microneedling produced significantly faster healing and dramatically better improvement ratings (PMC10833484). Simple. Sterile. Purpose-built. That is the standard.
But knowing what serums to use during microneedling is only half the protocol — and the half that most guides stop at. Once your device goes down and your final pass is complete, a completely different product goes on. Growth factors activate the PI3K/AKT and ERK/MAPK pathways commanding collagen synthesis (PMC10333026). A randomized controlled trial confirmed one session with growth factors matched four sessions without (PMC7716740). Bradceuticals Gold Mesenchymal Stem Cell Growth Factor Serum is the post-procedure serum that completes what your gliding serum starts — applied to damp skin within the first few minutes after your final pass. Never during. Always after.
Pick #1: Dp Dermaceuticals HYLA ACTIVE — The Professional Standard for During Microneedling
Buy: dermapenworld.com/en-us/collections/meso-glide-serums
When asking what serums to use during microneedling, this is the answer clinics give most often. Dp Dermaceuticals invented the “Meso-Glide Serum” category. Their proprietary HylaFuse technology delivers HA at precisely calibrated viscosity — enough slip to prevent drag, not so thick it gums up cartridges. It maintains consistent gloss throughout the session without drying mid-pass and provides deep hydration while diffusing redness.
Dermapenworld makes both the devices and the serums. They understand the mechanical relationship between needle, skin surface, and slip medium better than standalone skincare brands. When professionals choose what serums to use during microneedling, HYLA ACTIVE dominates treatment trays worldwide.
After HYLA ACTIVE — where Bradceuticals fits: Those channels HYLA ACTIVE helped create are now open. Growth factor proteins exceed 15,000 daltons — completely blocked by intact skin (PMC3160154). Apply Bradceuticals to damp skin within minutes after the final pass. HYLA ACTIVE opens the door. Bradceuticals delivers the collagen instruction through it. Good on intact skin daily. Transformative through channels.
Pick #2: LUMNi Hyaluronic Acid Microneedling Serum — Sterile Clinical-Grade
Buy: lushnlavish.com/products/hyaluronic-acid-micro-treatments-8ml
For practitioners who prioritize sterility above all else when choosing what serums to use during microneedling, LUMNi sets the standard. Each vial is individually sterile-filled — no multi-use bottles, no contamination risk. Five ingredients total: aqua, sodium hyaluronate, propanediol, panthenol, phenoxyethanol. pH 5.2. Nothing your compromised skin does not need.
At 1% HA concentration, viscosity is calibrated for device movement without drag at deeper settings. Panthenol adds wound-healing support without introducing actives through forming channels.
After LUMNi — where Bradceuticals fits: LUMNi’s sterile purity ensures pristine channels. Research confirms up to 80% of MSCs’ therapeutic effect comes from their complete secreted output (PMC11518787). A 2021 study confirmed bone marrow MSC conditioned media produces significantly higher VEGF, TGF-β1, and HGF with superior fibroblast proliferation (PMC7904527). LUMNi keeps channels clean. Bradceuticals fills them with the complete secretome — EGF, FGF, TGF-beta, VEGF, PDGF, HGF plus exosomes (PMC12561650).
Pick #3: MD Needle Pen Hyaluronic Acid Serum — Device-Tested Accessibility
Buy: mdneedlepen.com/shop/hyaluronic-acid-serum-2/
MD Needle Pen manufactures microneedling pens AND provides professional training courses. They formulated this 100% pure HA specifically for their own devices — tested against real clinical movement patterns. When considering what serums to use during microneedling on a budget, this delivers professional reliability at an accessible price.
After MD Needle Pen — where Bradceuticals fits: Reliable glide from a company that understands device mechanics. After the final pass, the mechanical job is complete. EGF inhibits inflammatory cytokines IL-1alpha, IL-8, and TNF-alpha (PMC10333026) while MSC exosomes restore TIMP-1 and inhibit MMP-1 through -9 (PMC12395928). Apply Bradceuticals to damp skin within minutes. New collagen persists five to seven years (PMC11993440).
What NEVER to Use During Microneedling
Knowing what serums to use during microneedling requires knowing what to keep away from active channels:
Vitamin C serums — Clinical concentrations burn through open channels. Use on non-treatment mornings only.
Retinol — Causes excessive inflammation through compromised barrier. Resume 48-72 hours later.
Growth factor serums — Including Bradceuticals. Never use as a gliding medium. Complex formulations should not contact channels while needles are active. Apply growth factors AFTER the final pass, once pinpoint bleeding stops.
Fragranced products — Fragrance compounds through channels trigger inflammatory response in tissue primed for collagen production.
AHAs, BHAs, exfoliating acids — Chemical exfoliants through compromised barrier cause tissue damage, not healing.
The Complete Protocol: During AND After
Before first session: Patch test every product. Apply to a small area behind the ear after a single pass. Wait 24-48 hours.
During needling: Any of the three gliding picks above.
Minutes 0-5 (after final pass): Bradceuticals Growth Factor Serum on damp skin. Channels remain permeable for two to six hours (PMC3160154).
Minutes 10-15: Layer fragrance-free HA for hydration.
Minutes 15-20: Barrier moisturizer to seal.
Between sessions: Continue Bradceuticals twice daily on intact skin. Visible improvement at 4 weeks (PMC6002314). Biopsy-confirmed collagen at 24 weeks. Participants perceived themselves six years younger (PMC9823186). Schedule next session in 4-6 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What serums to use during microneedling at home? Same three picks — all work with home dermarollers under 0.5mm, validated for transdermal delivery (PMC11993440).
What serums to use during microneedling for sensitive skin? LUMNi’s five-ingredient sterile formula is safest. Post-procedure, Bradceuticals contains EGF which inhibits inflammatory cytokines — among the gentlest post-procedure options.
What serums to use during microneedling vs after? During = sterile HA for device glide. After = growth factor serum for collagen instruction. Two different products, two different functions, both essential.
Can I use one serum for both during and after microneedling? Not recommended. Gliding serums need to be simple and sterile. Post-procedure serums need to contain growth factors. Using growth factor serum as a glide wastes product and introduces complex formulations into actively forming wounds.
References
- Chauhan P, et al. Microneedling with Hyaluronic Acid for Acne Scars. Indian J Dermatol. 2024;69(1):30-36. (PMC10833484)
- Shin SH, et al. The use of epidermal growth factor in dermatological practice. Int Wound J. 2023;20(6):2414-2423. (PMC10333026)
- Merati M, et al. An Assessment of Microneedling with Topical Growth Factors. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2020;13(11):22-27. (PMC7716740)
- Kalluri H, Banga AK. Characterization of microchannels created by metal microneedles. AAPS J. 2011;13(3):473-481. (PMC3160154)
- Taub A. Regenerative topical skincare: stem cells and exosomes. Front Med. 2024;11:1443963. (PMC11518787)
- Kim SN, et al. Effects of Human BM-MSC-CM on Skin Rejuvenation. Int J Stem Cells. 2021;14(1):94-102. (PMC7904527)
- Ferraris C, et al. AT-MSC Exosomes: Isolation, Characterization, and Bioactivity. Cells. 2025;14(21):1537. (PMC12561650)
- Gui Q, et al. Extracellular vesicles derived from MSCs to treat skin aging. Precis Clin Med. 2024;7(1):pbae004. (PMC12395928)
- Kim YJ, et al. Anti-aging Properties of EPC-CM. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2018;8(2):261-273. (PMC6002314)
- Naughton GK, et al. Targeting Multiple Hallmarks of Skin Aging. Dermatol Ther. 2023;13(1):169-186. (PMC9823186)
- Tehrani L, et al. Physiological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Applications of Microneedling. Cureus. 2025;17(3):e80510. (PMC11993440)
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The products discussed are cosmetic products and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individuals with any active skin condition, pre-existing medical condition, or those currently under the care of a physician or specialist should consult their healthcare provider before beginning any new skincare regimen. Always perform a patch test before using any new skincare product. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any microneedling protocol. Individual results may vary.
Last Reviewed: April 2026
About Bradceuticals : Thuy Myers is the founder of Bradceuticals which manufactures and distributes skin care and hair regrowth serums that use growth factors from human stem cells as the catalyst for regeneration. When she is not busy running the business and maintaining blogs, she is continuing her practice as a semiconductor engineer and occasionally teaches college engineering. In her free time, she enjoys visiting the beach with her MUCH better half, working out at the gym, and hanging out with her kiddo.