Planning to Get a Dermaplaning? Check These Tips First

What Is Dermaplaning?

If you scroll through Instagram and search #dermaplanning, you can see a lot of people are doing it. It is the latest way people are exfoliating their faces! So, what exactly is dermaplaning? For those unfamiliar with the concept, dermaplaning is a procedure where a dermatologist or licensed aesthetician uses a blade to scrape dead skin off your face. In the same way that shaving works, it uses a painless blade to gently scrape away facial hair (often referred to as 'peach fuzz') and any build-up of dead skin cells, all which can contribute to making your skin look dull or uneven.

What’s the Difference Between A Shaver and A Dermaplaning Tool?

For dermaplaning procedures, dermatologist or licensed aesthetician use surgical blades and scalpels that skims the surface of the skin to remove dead skin than a regular razor more effectively. Regular razors often have multiple slanted blades that are duller than those found in a dermaplaning tool. Going over the same area with multiple duller blades can cause abrasions, razor burn and injury to the skin. Dermaplaning tool is designed to recreate the gentle exfoliation depth achieved during an in-office treatment.

FIVE Things to Expect After Your First Dermaplaning

1. Rejuvenated Skin

This treatment is best known for its ability to broadly rejuvenate the skin and give patients a radiant glow. Scraping away the dead cells on the surface of the skin and allowing fresh, plump, healthy ones to rise to the surface can improve the tone of the skin, ease the appearance of hyperpigmentation, and brighten the patient’s overall complexion. After this treatment, your skin will appear renewed and refreshed, and your pores will appear smaller.

2. Fewer Fine Lines

The plump new cells that rise to the skin’s surface as a result of this treatment will also help fill in fine lines and wrinkles, giving you a younger appearance.

3. Scars Become Less Noticeable

Because this treatment scrapes away the older cells sitting on the surface of the skin, it can also minimize the appearance of scars.

4. Fewer Breakouts

By scraping away old cells and other debris from the skin’s surface and removing the fine hairs that trap oils and hold them close to the skin, a scalpel facial can also minimize acne outbreaks. And if you’re using certain topical acne medications, this treatment will open up the skin in a way that allows those medications to penetrate more deeply.

5. Your Moisturizers Will Be More Effective

The moisturizers and serums you use at home will also get a boost in efficacy as a result of this treatment. The first few days after your treatment will be a great time to use your highest-quality products.

What Should You Expect from Your First Dermaplaning Treatment?

Dermaplaning treatment is a safe, effective, and pain-free approach to skin rejuvenation. The treatment begins by cleansing your face and patting it dry. The dermatologist or licensed beautician will make quick strokes across the surface of your skin while holding the scalpel at a 45-degree angle. They typically treat one side of the face first, starting either at the forehead or jaw, and then the other. Then complete your treatment by applying a serum or moisturizer and sunscreen.

What Will It Feel Like?

You’ll feel the sensation of the blade crossing your skin, which is similar to the way shaving with a razor feels. You may also hear a whispering sound as the scalpel blade crosses the top layer of your skin. But you won’t feel any discomfort, and your skin will never be pierced. During your appointment, you’ll be reclined comfortably. Many patients find this to be a deeply relaxing and pampering experience, and some even nap during their treatments. 

How Long Will My Appointment Take?

This treatment takes no more than an hour, and you’ll be able to get right back to your regular schedule afterward. Your skin may appear slightly pink immediately after your appointment, but that will quickly subside. Wearing sunscreen and avoiding excessive sun exposure will be especially important for the day or so after your treatment, when your skin may be more sensitive.

How to Prepare for Your Dermaplaning Treatment?

This exfoliation procedure uses a blade along the skin to gently remove soft, thin facial hair and dead skin cells and leave your skin smooth and radiant. Before any skin care service, you should prepare properly, so that you can achieve the best results. Here’s what to do to prepare for your dermaplaning treatment:

• Discontinue Other Aggressive Skin Treatments

Because a scalpel facial gently scrapes away the upper layers of skin, removing dead skin cells and fine facial hairs, you are advised to discontinue leaving any aggressive at-home treatments about 3 days before your appointment to avoid over-exfoliation. Skincare serums that involve retinoids, micro-beads, or alpha hydroxy acid exfoliants should all be halted.

• Avoid Sun Exposure

Excessive sun exposure can also leave your skin sensitive, so staying out of the sun for several days before treatment is also a good idea. 

• Carefully Schedule Any Other Cosmetic Services

If you’re interested in scheduling more than one cosmetic service, it makes sense to schedule them back-to-back to save time. But remember that after a Botox injection, patients are asked to wait 4 hours before lying down. And after a dermal filler, patients should wait at least 3 days before undergoing any treatments that apply pressure to the skin. 

We can advise you on the best sequence of treatments, but for many patients, it is ideal to either schedule various treatments on different days or to be sure to schedule the scalpel facial first if you are booking multiple treatments for the same day.

• Schedule Facial Waxing at Least a Week Prior

Once they start scheduling scalpel facials, which remove peach fuzz while also revitalizing the look of the skin, some patients find that they no longer need to rely on waxing as a hair removal method. But if you do continue with waxing, be sure to schedule those appointments at least a week or two before your dermaplaning sessions to avoid over-exfoliating and irritating the skin.

• Reschedule if Your Skin Becomes Irritated

If your skin is irritated on the day of your appointment, either because of sunburn, an active acne breakout, or another type of irritation, it’s best to reschedule. Your treatment will be the most effective if your skin is healthy and calm.

• Wait if You’ve Recently Taken Accutane

If you use Accutane, a powerful acne treatment that increases skin sensitivity, you will have to wait at least 6 months after your last dose before undergoing a scalpel facial.

• Consider Scheduling a Chemical Peel Afterward

Chemical peels are an ideal treatment to follow a dermaplaning session with. A chemical peel involves the application of an acidic solution to the face. This often causes the patient’s skin to flake for several days, revealing healthy new skin cells that are just below the surface. Chemical peels penetrate deeply and are particularly effective when they immediately done after dermaplaning treatment.

Dermaplaning FAQs (8 Questions)

But does the treatment actually work? Here, our dermatologist clears up all of your dermaplaning questions, including whether or not you should try it.

Is Dermaplaning Safe?

Safety is and always should be a major concern. This is more fantastic news about dermaplaning. The treatment is safe. It is non-invasive and requires no downtime.

Is It Right for Me?

You are most likely a good candidate for the treatment if you suffer from aging, dry, rough, or uneven skin tone. This treatment might also be right for you if you have shallow acne scars, fine lines, or slight hyperpigmentation. While it is safe and effective for almost all skin types, acne-prone skin may not be right for this treatment. In order for your sebaceous glands to secrete oil, the oil has to move up along the vellus hair. By removing the hair, the oil builds up and the glands become clogged, which causes worse acne breakouts. Usually, at your initial consultation, the dermatologist will go over your unique skin needs and goals to determine the best route of treatment for you.

Is It Like a Chemical Peel?

Unlike chemical peels, dermaplaning is a manual exfoliation process performed with a surgical scalpel. It does not use acids or enzymes to remove dead skin cells. Your skin gets exfoliated during your treatment, with no peeling afterward. Dermaplaning is a great alternative to peels for those who want professionally done exfoliation.

How Often Do I Need It?

Dermaplaning removes weeks of accumulated dead skin cells in addition to vellus hairs. However, they both will come back. Experts recommend getting the treatment done regularly for optimal skin maintenance.

How Long Does It Take?

The procedure usually takes less than an hour.

What Should I Expect?

The treatment is both quick and easy, with no associated downtime. Other hair removing procedures such as threading, and waxing can be uncomfortable. Dermaplaning feels similar to getting a close shave, removing vellus hair and dead skin cells simultaneously. You can apply makeup immediately afterwards. You get deep, cleansing exfoliation plus a restorative skin treatment.

What are the Results?

Right after the treatment, your skin looks more radiant and feels smoother. You get a more uniform skin tone and texture. Dermaplaning is mainly for exfoliation, but it goes well beyond its primary aim. The instant removal of peach fuzz is a major plus, making skin even softer and smoother. This will help you to get better penetration from skincare products and smoother cosmetics application.

Does It Make Hair Grow Back Darker or Thicker?

No, it does not. The fine, light hairs on that face removed by the treatment are vellus hairs, which grow back at the same rate and texture.

I’m An Acne-Prone/Sensitive Skin Person. Can I Still Do Dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning Isn’t Right for Everyone

Dermaplaning treatment might not be for everyone. If you have dark, thick facial hair or particularly oily and acne-prone skin, you are advised to avoid the treatment. Skin tones that are sensitive to hyperpigmentation are also not good candidates for dermaplaning. That’s because acne-scarred or hyperpigmentation-prone skin may be left discoloured and permanently blotchy after undergoing this treatment. If you are susceptible to fever blisters, rashes, and cold sores, dermaplaning can lead to an increase in flare-ups. If you have acne, there’s the possibility of the blade nicking an acne, and it could take longer to heal.

• Other Alternatives for Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning Vs. Microdermabrasion

For most situations, the primary alternative to dermaplaning is microdermabrasion.  Like dermaplaning, microdermabrasion has long been known to be a quality nonsurgical treatment for facial rejuvenation.  While they both aim to achieve similar goals, they go about it in much different ways.  Instead of using a surgical blade, microdermabrasion focuses on exfoliating the surface of your skin with pressurized abrasive crystals.

Dermaplaning is considered to be a more aggressive form of exfoliation because the use of a surgical blade can create a risk of accidental nicks and cuts.  However, even though it is a more aggressive treatment, dermaplaning is considered to be more effective against prominent acne scars and wrinkles. 

Microdermabrasion is considered to be more easily customized to specific treatment results.  This is primarily because it can be used to essentially polish the skin or go considerably deeper for a more complete exfoliation.  Additionally, there is less risk with microdermabrasion because there is a substantially smaller chance that the skin can be broken.

Dermaplaning is ideal for patients who want a full skin rejuvenation treatment which is nonsurgical and non-invasive.  One of the biggest benefits is that you can treat acne scars and deep wrinkles while still getting fast treatment sessions and no downtime.  In most cases, microdermabrasion will be a better option if you only want your face to have a more polished look.  If there are specific flaws which need to be addressed, such as acne scars or wrinkles, then dermaplaning will likely give you the best results.

Would you like to know more? We are here to help you! SkynFyx is a platform that provides completely free skincare education. Feel free to contact us if you have any inquiries concerning skincare.