What is Dermaplaning: All You Need To Know About This Skincare Method
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I’m a skincare cynic by nature. So when I first heard about dermaplaning, I was skeptical. “A blade? On my face? Um, no.”
In the past, I chalked up dermaplaning as just another ritzy skincare trend. I’ve passed these handheld razors in the beauty aisle a thousand times throughout the years and never gave them a second thought. But in my journey to up my skincare game, I decided to get a pack of dermaplane blades.
When I got home, I washed my face, pat it dry, and got to work. I couldn’t believe that such a simple procedure would have such positive effects on my skin. It’s safe to say, I’m now a dermaplaning convert.
What is Dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is a non-invasive skin exfoliation method using a facial razor or blade. In other words, it’s shaving the face to remove fine facial hair and dead skin cells. As humans, we all have facial hair. Men have terminal hair, which is thick, coarse, and can grow long.
Women have vellus hair, which is what is known as “peach fuzz”. Vellus hair is short and fine in comparison to terminal hair. Dermaplaning is a process that removes the vellus hair using a single, handheld blade. Dermaplaning has many skin benefits and can be done at home, in an aesthetician’s office, or in a medical spa.
The Benefits of Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning boasts many benefits, with the first and obvious one being a face as smooth as a baby’s bottom- like butter, honey! I hadn’t realized how rough my skin was until I dermaplaned and felt it afterward. I couldn’t believe how soft my face was simply by removing some peach fuzz!
Another benefit to dermaplaning is that it exfoliates the skin. Having a new layer of skin exposed allows for maximum absorption of all the good active ingredients in your skincare products. In retrospect, I can’t help but think of all the products that I thought weren’t working, simply because it was sitting atop old skin.
If products can’t penetrate the skin, they can’t fulfill their intended purpose effectively. Once I dermaplaned my face and applied my moisturizer, I instantly noticed how my skin accepted the product. The new skin revealed was even in tone and had a healthy glow to it.
The third benefit of dermaplaning is a more smooth complexion and makeup application. I don’t have a halo of visible peach fuzz, however, a significant amount of peach fuzz came off my face with every swipe of the blade. I’m not a hairy person by nature, so it really took me by surprise how much vellus hair I actually had. When I got rid of my fine facial hair, my foundation, bronzer, and blush looked much smoother on my skin. I also noticed that my makeup stayed in place longer. As the day progressed, I didn’t have to reapply my pressed powder as often.
Benefits At A Glance
There are many benefits that come with dermaplaning. I’ve outlined some below.
- Reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Increased absorption of key skincare ingredients
- Increased collagen
- Preps skin for a chemical peel
- Improved appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation
- Chemical-free exfoliation
- Suitable for all skin types
- An even skin tone
- No recovery time
Curious About Dermaplaning? Here’s Where to Go to Have it Done
Dermaplaning is a method of exfoliation that can be done in a medical spa or at home. When done with an aesthetician, dermaplaning usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour and can cost from $75-$199 per session. Dermaplaning services are available individually, but most often are available as an add-on to a chemical peel or facial package.
Dermaplaning can also be done at home using over-the-counter tools. The blades used can be purchased at beauty supply retailers and online. Next, I’ll share with you how I dermplaned at home.
How To Dermaplane At Home: My Personal Experience
You might be a little hesitant to dermaplane your face for the first time. In my opinion, you do not want to rush through dermaplaning, so elect to do so at a time when you have a dedicated 30-45 minutes available to yourself. Before applying the blade to your skin, wash your face with a gentle cleanser.
Do not dermaplane skin with makeup on. After cleansing your face, pat your face dry with a clean towel. Do not apply any creams or serums to your skin after cleansing. In order for the blade to thoroughly remove the vellus hair, it needs to have unobstructed contact with your skin. In addition, any products applied before dermaplaning will most likely be removed by the blade, so start with a clean and dry face.
I do recommend first practicing your dermaplaning strokes on your arm to get a feel for how the blade moves on your skin. Dermaplaning tools feature one blade, as opposed to a multi-blade razor used for shaving armpits and legs. Get a feel for the blade’s contact on your skin, especially if this is your first time.
You can choose to start dermaplaning anywhere on your face. I suggest the jawline area first. I started along my jawline, under my chin, in case I cut myself (which I did). While it was a tiny nick, I’m happy I chose this location first because my cut is not front and center on my face. Start by holding the blade at an angle on your face using your dominant hand.
With your opposite hand, gently pull your face taut with your fingers. Then take your blade and with gentle pressure, simply glide the blade against your skin in a short, consistent motion, in one direction. You can go over the same area 2-4 times. The vellus hair and dead cells collect at the base of the blade and look like dusty peach fuzz.
Continue this same motion throughout your face. As your continue to dermplane, you’ll develop a rhythm that feels comfortable to you. For a glowing complexion, here are the areas of the face to dermaplane:
- Under chin and jawline
- T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin area)
- cheeks and lateral planes
Dermaplaning Aftercare Regimen
After dermaplaning, there are some important skincare habits to adopt. Right after dermaplaning, rinse your face with cold water to remove the residual peach fuzz and dead cells left behind by the razor. The skin will look visibly smoother and radiant but might be a little red. It’s important to let your face “rest” after dermaplaning, so I usually wait about 30 minutes before I apply any skincare products.
Over the next 24-48 hours, avoid saunas, steam rooms, hot showers, and chlorine. It’s important to avoid excessive sun exposure for at least three days after dermaplaning. A sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 is recommended when going outdoors. Also, avoid activities that may cause excessive perspiration for 48 hours.
Avoid using products that exfoliate the skin for at least a week. This includes microdermabrasion, peeling agents, and retinoids.
After dermaplaning, your skin is primed for optimal moisture absorption. After 30 minutes have passed, apply your chosen serums and moisturizers. Moisturizers with hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C are especially beneficial for the skin. Mineral-based makeup is ok to apply within an hour of dermaplaning, but it is ideal to wait 24 hours before applying any makeup.
Top 5 Dermaplane Blades
Whether you desire an affordable handheld blade or prefer a high-end razor, there is a dermaplaning tool for everyone. Here are my top 5 picks for dermaplaning tools.
Sima Sonic Dermaplaning Tool-Professional and Painless 2-in-1 Facial Exfoliation Hair Removal System
- $29 on Amazon.com
- Comes with a 7-week supply of replaceable blade heads
- 3-speed settings
- features sonic technology at 15,000 movements per minute
StackedSkincare Dermaplaning Tool
- Blade designed to dermaplane in an upward or downward motion.
- Aluminum, reuseable handle
- Surgical stainless steel blade
- $75 on stackedskincare.com
Dorco Twinkle Eyebrow Razors
- Stainless steel blade
- Attached safety cover
- 3-piece set
- $4.80 on Amazon.com
Finishing Touch Flawless Dermaplane Glo Lighted Facial Exfoliator
- Comes with 6 replacement heads
- LED light for improved visibility
- Sleek, ergonomic design
- $14.99 on Amazon.com
Dermaflash Luxe
- Uses Sonic Edge™ technology
- Comes with a facial prewash (Preflash) and post-care moisturizer (Postflash)
- Comes with 4 single-use exfoliating edges, a charging cord, and a charging base
- $199 at dermaflash.com
Give Me the Dermplane Deets! My Tips & Tricks
Before you start wielding a blade against your precious face, follow these simple do’s and don’ts when dermaplaning your skin.
DO wash your face with a gentle cleanser before you dermaplane. It’s important that you start with a clean canvas so to speak. By removing all makeup and impurities, you can ensure that the blade is making contact with your skin and not old makeup.
DO take caution, especially if it’s your first time. I recommend getting a feel for the blade grip against your skin by first testing the blade on your arm or leg. Dermaplaning doesn’t require the same level of drag against the skin that shaving your legs or armpits requires because the hairs on your legs and armpits are much coarser than the peach fuzz on your face.
DO rinse your face with cool water once you are done. I’ve found that a cool, wet, face towel calms the skin. I don’t recommend using a cleanser at this stage-it’s not necessary as you cleansed beforehand and the skin that is revealed afterward does not require a cleanser.
DON’T add serums or creams to your face immediately after rinsing it. I do recommend a natural moisturizer such as aloe vera gel. While it is true that your skin is at its peak absorption ability after blading the skin, applying strong chemicals to the skin may irritate it. I usually resume applying products and makeup on my face a few hours after I’ve dermaplaned.
DON’T overdo it! I recommend dermaplaning once every 2-4 weeks. Dermaplaning is a great way to reset your skin, but it should not take the place of your facial scrubs or chemical exfoliants.
DON’T dermaplane if you have open or broken skin on the face. It’s ok to dermaplane if you have one or two pimples, but avoid this method of skin exfoliation if you’re experiencing cystic acne, eczema, psoriasis, or any other major skin flare-ups.
FAQs
Question: Will dermaplaning make me grow a beard?
Answer: No, dermaplaning will not make your peach fuzz grow back thicker or darker. Vellus hair is not the same type of facial hair that men have, so by nature, it’s not as thick. The peach fuzz will grow back as it normally does.
Question: What’s the difference between dermaplaning and microdermabrasion?
Answer: Both methods are used to exfoliate facial skin. Dermaplaning involves the use of a single, surgical-grade blade. Microdermabrasion uses either a diamond or crystal encrusted wand that uses vacuum suction technology.
Question: Can dermaplaning help rosacea?
Answer: Dermaplaning is a great alternative for those who have rosacea and wish to exfoliate their skin. Since there are no harsh chemicals used, dermaplaning provides a smooth skin surface without chemical irritation.
Question: How often can you dermaplane? How often does it last?
Answer: According to Dr. Renee Moran, dermaplaning treatments can be done every 4-6 weeks. Results are noticeable immediately and can be enjoyed for up to 3-4 weeks.
Question: Can dermaplaning cause acne?
Answer: Dermaplaning does not cause acne. Dermaplaning removes excess dead skin cells that clog pores. Dermaplaning provides a chemical-free method of exfoliation that ultimately leads to a clearer complexion.
Question: Is dermaplaning safe to do at home?
Answer: Yes, it is safe to dermaplane at home. There are many varieties of dermablading tools, from manual to vibrating blades. If it is your first time dermablading, I recommend going slow and starting in an inconspicuous location, such as under the chin or the jawline.
Is Dermaplaning Right For You?
Exfoliating the skin is necessary to achieve optimum skin health. There are many ways to exfoliate the skin and dermaplaning is a method that is inexpensive, chemical-free, and generates a glowy, dewy skin appearance. I recommend dermaplaning if you wish to get the most out of your other skincare products. The next time you’re in the beauty aisle, pick up a pack of facial blades and give dermaplaning a try. Your skin will thank you!
