Dermaplaning: Benefits, What To Expect, And Aftercare Tips

Dermaplaning is more than just shaving the face to remove the peach fuzz. This exfoliating treatment involves scraping the top layer of the skin with a dermaplaning tool or scalpel.

Don’t worry. This procedure is safe for the skin and is usually performed by a dermatologist or an esthetician. It improves your skin texture, brightens the face, and makes it baby smooth. This also helps the skin care products penetrate the skin better and improve their efficacy. Keep reading to know more about dermaplaning and how it may benefit your skin.

What Is Dermaplaning Treatment?

Dermaplaning is more than just shaving your face. It is a skincare treatment in which the aesthetician uses a small scalpel to slough off the dead skin cells along with the facial hair from your face. This gives you smooth skin and improves the skin texture, and brightens the face.

Did You Know?

Dermaplaning was invented in the 1970s as a method to get rid of acne.

Let’s check out how it is performed.

What To Expect During The Dermaplaning Procedure

Here’s a step-by-step guide to what goes on during the procedure.

• Preparing Your Skin For The Treatment

Before the treatment starts, the dermatologist will clean your skin thoroughly. They either use local anesthesia or apply lidocaine (a medicine used to numb the area) to your face. This works for around 30 minutes. This is to make you feel comfortable during the procedure. Once your face is numb, it is cleaned again.

• The Procedure

The dermatologist uses a scalpel for shaving your skin. The doctor then gently smooths the topmost layer of the skin. You have the option to customize the procedure. You can either perform it on the entire face or a specific area. It takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your needs. Some people undergo dermaplaning in stages. This depends on your skin condition and your treatment needs.

If you want, you may try dermaplaning at home. Dermaplaning kits are available online. However, if you ask a doctor whether you can try it at home or not, they would suggest you to be cautious. Why? It’s not because you have a chance of hurting yourself in this process. It is because you will not get the same results (a no-brainer, indeed). However, if you want to go ahead and try it at home, get the kit and follow these steps.

Dermaplaning At Home: How To Do It

• Get good quality disposable razors. You can buy the blades or the entire kit online.
• Ensure that the blades are clean and sharp before using them.
• Clean your face with a gentle cleanser. Let it dry completely.
• Apply a bit of apricot or jojoba oil or any oil on your face.
• Stretch your skin tightly using one hand and hold it. Now, dip the blade in warm water and place the blade at an angle of 45 degrees to your skin.
• Make short strokes, starting from your hairline towards the center of your face (use downward strokes). Avoid the hairline.
• Do not apply pressure. The strokes should be feather-light and towards the hair growth.
• Once done, repeat the process, but this time, move the blades against your hair growth.
• Keep cleaning the blade in between.
• Once done, splash cold water on your face.
• Apply a light and hydrating moisturizer or a face mask. Finish with your favorite serum.

Whether you do it at home or the doctor’s clinic, after dermaplaning, you need to take care of your skin. Here’s how you can do so.

Dermaplaning: Aftercare

After dermaplaning, your skin will be a bit sensitive. Here is a complete skin care plan that you can start 24 hours after the procedure:

• Use a non-soap and gentle cleanser to clean your face.
• Apply moisturizer twice a day. Do it religiously for at least 7 days post dermaplaning.
• Your skin will be sensitive, and the natural barrier is compromised. So, limit your sun exposure. Sunscreen is a must whenever you are going outside. Use an umbrella or a wide-brimmed hat.
• Avoid any activity (just for 3 days) that makes you sweat a lot, such as steam rooms and heavy workouts.
• Avoid contact with chlorine (stay away from swimming pools).
• Avoid any other face treatment for at least a week.
• Avoid scratching the skin.
• Apply skin serums, especially those with hyaluronic acid, after the procedure.
• The skin might tingle for a few days. This will subside eventually.

If you are wondering whether it is worth your time or not, here are a few benefits of dermaplaning that will help you decide.

Benefits Of Dermaplaning

1. It Exfoliates Your Skin

It removes dead skin cells from your face – and that too, better than chemical peels. It is non-abrasive, which is why it is an excellent option for those with sensitive skin. It enhances your skin’s beauty by making it smooth and naturally flawless (1). Christine Olivia Noumba Um, a blogger and copywriter, was dealing with peach fuzz and frequent breakouts. She found the dermaplaning procedure to be effective, writing, “Immediately after dermaplaning, my skin was red, but by the next morning, my skin was as smooth as a baby’s butt and it glowed! I’m currently on week 6, and I am loving the continuous improvements in my skin that went from acne-scarred and sun-damaged to glass skin (i)!”

2. It Removes Facial Hair

If done under the surveillance of a dermatologist or a professional aesthetician, you will get better results in terms of hair removal. It is because the blade used by them is a special one and much sharper than the store-bought ones.

3. It Makes Your Skin Look Fresher And Younger

Though we cannot claim that it has anti-aging effects, it can make your face appear brighter by removing the top dead layer of skin (2).

4. It Has No Down Time

Unlike other skin treatments, dermaplaning doesn’t have any downtime. Your face will not turn red, and you don’t need to stay inside the house all the time. But yes, you need to follow a proper skin maintenance process after dermaplaning.

5. Smooth Application Of Makeup

This is a bonus you get with dermaplaning. Your skin becomes so smooth that makeup glides like butter on it.

Trivia

Dermaplaning is considered one of the most cost-effective skin treatments with instant results.

Dermaplaning can also complement other anti-aging treatments to enhance the absorption of skincare products and improve skin texture. Thinking of trying it or booking an appointment with a professional aesthetician? Wait a bit. Go through these points before trying dermaplaning.

Things You Should Know Before Trying Dermaplaning

• Dermaplaning is suitable for all skin types. But, if you have acne or inflamed pimples, you shouldn’t go for this method.
• Dermaplaning is not going to make your hair grow thicker. It’s a misconception. Even when your hair grows back, you will not feel any difference as it is cut straight across. The texture of the new hair will be the same.
• You have to stay committed to the sunscreen and take sun protection seriously.
• The result will last a month, so you do not need to go under the scalpel quite often.
• Stay away from any other skin treatment or skin procedure to ensure the best results.

Apart from dermaplaning, there is another exfoliating procedure called dermabrasion you can try out. Scroll down to the next section to find out the difference between the two.

Dermaplaning Vs. Dermabrasion

Dermaplaning, as mentioned earlier, is an invasive treatment often performed in spas or skin care clinics. It uses a specialized blade to exfoliate the top layer of skin, promoting a smoother complexion and aiding in the removal of peach fuzz.

Dermabrasion, on the other hand, is a more invasive treatment, typically performed by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. It uses a rotating instrument to pierce the top layers of skin, making it effective for treating scars from acne.

The choice between the two procedures depends on your specific skin care needs, with dermabrasion addressing more severe concerns and dermaplaning offering a gentler option for skin exfoliation. Consulting a skin care professional can help you decide which treatment will suit you best.

Infographic: Dermaplaning Vs. Shaving

Dermaplaning and shaving may appear to be similar procedures aimed at getting rid of unwanted facial hair, but they have some key differences. Check out the infographic below to learn what differentiates one process from the other and determine which one is most suitable for you.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of dermaplaning?

It varies from place to place. However, it should be somewhere between $75 and $150.

How often should you get dermaplaning done?

Once a month.

Can I wear makeup after dermaplaning?

Yes, you can.

How long does it take to recover from dermaplaning?

It doesn’t have any downtime. You only need to take care of your skin.

Is there a downside to dermaplaning?

According to anecdotal reports, dermaplaning may sometimes cause breakouts, skin irritation, redness, hyperpigmentation, and an increased risk of infection.

Will dermaplaning give me stubble?

No. The regrowing hair may feel a bit coarse. That’s because of the angle of how the hair was removed. Dermaplaning doesn’t affect hair texture or thickness.

Is it OK to Dermaplane your upper lip?

Yes, dermaplaning is a safe and effective way of removing upper lip hair at home.

What’s the difference between dermaplaning and Dermablading?

Both are the same. Dermaplaning is also known as dermablading or microplaning.

Does your skin purge after dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning doesn’t cause purging. However, you may experience minor breakouts for two reasons – first, if the scalpel wasn’t appropriately sterilized, and second, the deep exfoliation may expose the breakouts that were beginning underneath the skin.

Does dermaplaning cause ingrown hairs?

You may observe ingrown hair as your facial hair regrows. Use a gentle exfoliator to prevent ingrown hair.

Illustration: Dermaplaning: Benefits What To Expect And Aftercare Tips

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn how you can get glowing skin with dermaplaning. Check out this video to discover the amazing skin benefits of this simple, safe, and effective treatment.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Deanne Mraz RobinsonMD, FAAD

   

Dr. Mraz Robinson has 15 years of experience and received her BAS and MD from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and then went on to complete her dermatology residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital, where she served as Chief Resident and Director for the Yale Resident Cosmetic Clinic.

Read full bio of Dr. Deanne Mraz Robinson

Ramona SinhaEditor

 

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Shiboli ChakrabortiCommerce Editor

Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.

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