Dermaplaning 101 – Your Definitive Guide to Shaving Face

Dermaplaning - (Image Credit: townandcountrymag.com)

Summary-At-A-Glance
  • Dermaplaning is a hugely popular cosmetic procedure, a booming skincare trend that involves shaving your face with a scalpel-like blade known as a dermatome. Skincare influencers can't stop going gaga over it on social media platforms.
  • Dermaplaning may be for you if you are a skincare addict on a quest for a baby-soft, ultra-smooth, fresh, and glowing skin.
  • Do you feel awkward and embarrassed with facial hair? Dermaplaning can fast 'defuzz' your face safely and effectively.
  • The benefits of dermaplaning include peach fuzz removal, dead cell removal, soft and glowing skin, and many more.
  • If you are a skincare enthusiast, read on to know more about dermaplaning, if it's for you, and the best dermaplaning tools you can purchase without spending a lot of money.
  • Touted as one of the best-kept Hollywood beauty secrets, you can do dermaplaning at home.

If you feel excited about new skincare trends and being an active member of the social media universe, you have probably seen hundreds or thousands of Instagram posts, TikTok, and YouTube videos about the benefits of dermaplaning and why it should feature in your regular skincare routine. Here, we give you the 101 of dermaplaning to help you decide if it’s for you.

What Is Dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is a simple skincare treatment for removing facial hair and dead skin cells from the upper layer of the skin. It is a non-invasive procedure performed with a scalpel-like blade (dermatome) that gives you flawless skin. The blade gently removes peach fuzz, dead skin cells, scar tissues, and grime and makes the skin super clean, ultra-soft, and glowing with radiance.

Dermaplaning can be performed at home with the help of the best dermaplaning tools purchased from local or online stores. If you have problematic skin or having your first dermaplaning venture, opting for an in-clinic treatment by a board-certified dermatologist (the best and most preferred) or a licensed esthetician would be the safest option.

How Dermaplaning Is Done

Dermaplaning is a simple, non-fussy, non-messy cosmetic procedure done in med spas or skin care clinics. The pain-free skin procedure doesn’t require anesthesia or numbing and no skin lacerations are involved.

An expert dermatologist or a licensed nurse or esthetician performs in-clinic dermaplaning. Using a No. 10 surgical-grade, round-tip blade and moving it upward at a 45-degree angle, the entire face is gently scraped with light and feathery strokes.

It removes all impurities that make the skin surface uneven. Dermaplaning softens the skin, providing it with an even skin tone and smoothness.

If you have sensitive, clogged-with-oil, or acne-prone skin, you may need special prepping before a dermaplaning session. If you do an in-clinic procedure, which we highly recommend, the esthetician or the dermatologist will take care of what you need before starting the procedure.

Some may have sensitive or troubled skin with cystic acne, and they need to consult a licensed expert before trying dermaplaning.

Dermaplaning Procedural Fees

Dermaplaning Procedural Fees
Dermaplaning charges may start from $75 per session or go higher, depending on where it is performed. Typically, the cost depends on the following factors:

  • The cost-of-living where you do dermaplaning
  • The reputation and experience of the person performing your treatment
  • If you subscribe to a skincare package, you might get a cheaper deal

You need to keep in mind that dermaplaning is not a one-time treatment. Depending on your hair regrowth rate and kin type, you have to repeat the treatment. That means professional dermaplaning treatment is a routine procedure. One of the reasons many women prefer performing dermaplaning at home is its affordability. Even if you buy a luxe dermaplaning tool, it’s cheaper than an in-clinic treatment. However, dermatologists believe that an amateur will lack the refined skills and careful approach of a professional. So, DIY dermaplaning may not be as good as an in-clinic treatment. Additionally, you may need special protection for your skin’s unique needs, which a skilled dermatologist knows better.

How Often Should You Do It?

The skin has a renewal cycle. Here’s an article that discusses skin renewal in detail. Dermaplaning is best done as soon as the renewal cycle starts. So the usual verdict is having a 3-4 week gap between sessions. Please consult a dermatologist to determine the ideal gap, if you feel you should do it more frequently. Aggressive exfoliation may cause skin-barrier damages.

What Are the Benefits of Dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning has multiple benefits.
Benefits of Dermaplaning

  • First, it exfoliates the skin, removing dead cell debris from the surface. And exfoliation is beneficial for skin health. Dermaplaning may boost collagen production of the skin, making it look plumper, tighter, and radiant. One article shows the importance of collagen in skin health and beauty.
  • After dermaplaning, the skin becomes soft as a baby’s bottom and gets an even tone.
  • Dead skin cell accumulation can block the pores of the epidermis layer.
  • Dermaplaning removes dead cells and increases the skin’s absorbing capacity, which means your skincare products feed your skin well after dermaplaning.
  • Dermaplaning can be specifically beneficial for photo-damaged skin, fine lines, dry patches, and dull skin.
  • After dermaplaning, makeup application becomes smoother with smaller pores and smoother skin.

The Downsides of Dermaplaning

Are there any dermaplaning side effects? Many women find the concept of face shaving awkward. Then there are the inevitable questions. The most frequent ones are if dermaplaning will result in darker, coarser, thicker hair regrowth? Dermatologists assure patients that dermaplaning does not alter or affect the structure of the follicle, so there’s no chance you will have thicker, coarser hair after the procedure.

Since dermaplaning is a non-surgical, gentle skincare treatment, it may have mild side effects only. If you do an in-clinic dermaplaning, chances of side effects are zero to a minimum, as a licensed esthetician or a board-certified dermatologist will be in charge of the procedure.

They will guide you through the entire process, prepping you up for the treatment to post-treatment care. Dermatologists say there might be some itching or redness that subsides within a few hours. If you take the DIY route, you can still have safe and effective dermaplaning if you do it right.

Is Dermaplaning Right For You?

Dermaplaning is a simple cosmetic procedure and is suitable for the majority of women. Dermaplaning side effects are mild and minimum in most cases. However, dermatologists ask to stay away from dermaplaning if:

  • you have overly sensitive or super-oily skin
  • you have a tan or sunburn
  • your skin suffers from acne, psoriasis, rosacea, or eczema
Note: Dermaplaning should not be tried with a regular disposable razor. If you prefer doing dermaplaning at home, you should get the appropriate tool. We will discuss more on this as we proceed.

Interesting Facts About Dermaplaning

  • Considering the multiple benefits of dermaplaning, it is no wonder that dermaplaning has a long list of loyal followers. Here are some interesting facts about dermaplaning.
  • A recent report by Treatwell, the largest hair and beauty bookings website in Europe, shows a 621% rise for the search term dermaplaning facial in the lockdown year. Presently, Instagram has a whopping 1,296,635 posts with the dermaplaning tag.
  • It seems that facial shaving is a favorite of the queens. Were they aware of the benefits of dermaplaning? It is believed that the Egyptian queen Cleopatra’s skincare routine consisted of dermaplaning. Queen Elizabeth 1 was a trendsetter who removed her eyebrows and shaved her forehead to make it look larger.
  • Huda Kattan, the founder of Huda Beauty, a cosmetic line, revealed that Hollywood legends Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor were loyal proponents of dermaplaning.
  • American actress Taraji P. Henson did a dermaplaning at home before hitting the Oscars 2017 Red Carpet.
  • Dermaplaning may have its roots in Japan. It is known as Kao sori in Japan and is hugely popular.
  • Dermaplaning DIY – The At-home Guide

    The key to effective dermaplaning at home is getting the appropriate tools. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of dermaplaning tools you can purchase without spending a lot of money.

    The best dermaplaning tools need not be prohibitively costly. You can splurge, or go for pocket-friendly options. Reading reviews on beauty and skincare websites will help you shop for the best dermaplaning tool.

    Tips to Buy the Best Dermaplaning Tools

    Best Dermaplaning Tools

    • Buy professional-grade dermaplaning tools from reputable brands approved by dermatologists.
    • Electric tools come with a safety mechanism and will protect against cuts.
    • Single blade devices offer better hygiene and performance.

    Consider These If You Are Dermaplaning At Home

    Dermaplaning, being a simple non-surgical procedure, does not require much preparation. There’s no downtime either. So post-dermaplaning care routine is easy to follow. If you are doing it at home, follow these do’s and don’ts to avoid dermaplaning side effects. If you are going for an in-clinic treatment, you will have professional advice.

    These are what the dermatologists recommend:

    • Do not exfoliate your skin with acid or retinol for one week before you do dermaplaning.
    • Clean your face thoroughly, preferably with an oil-free cleanser. There shouldn’t be any traces of makeup. For the best dermaplaning results, the skin needs to be oil-free and dry. You slough off a significant amount of dead skin and peach fuzz when your skin is dry.
    • Pull your skin tightly to make it firm. Start on your cheekbones and glide downwards to the chin area, keeping the razor at a 45-degree angle. Make small and light strokes. Finish at the forehead area.
    • Do not repeat razor strokes. Stay away from hairlines, eyebrows, eyelids, sides of nose, and lips.
    • Do not shave near breakouts, if any.
    • Use face serums or moisturizers after the procedure. Your skin may appear reddish for all those simulations but it calms down fast. You can opt for post-dermaplaning care products recommended by dermatologists. The skin barrier becomes vulnerable after the treatment. Using skincare products rich in vitamin C and hyaluronic acid will keep your skin hydrated and reflective.
    • Don’t use skin exfoliating products that contain acids or retinol for one week after you do the procedure.
    • Avoid applying makeup immediately after dermaplaning.

    Conclusion

    The benefits of dermaplaning are tangible. You get smoother and brighter skin almost instantly without blowing your bank or the nasty side effects. Whether done at home or in-clinic, dermaplaning liberates women from the fuzziness they feel uneasy about. What’s not good about it?

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