Dermaplaning is a skin treatment that evens skin tone and removes dead skin and fine hair from the skin’s surface. A person may have a professional do it or buy a kit to use at home.
Dermaplaning is also known as dermablading. It involves a razor-like blade gently scraping away a layer of dead skin and fine hair from the face.
This enables skin cell renewal and the removal of fine, soft facial hair, also known as vellus hair or “peach fuzz.” Vellus hair does not grow back thicker or darker after dermaplaning.
A dermatology specialist carries out dermaplaning using a scalpel. This takes place in a surgeon’s office, an outpatient center, or a hospital. Doctors use the procedure to reduce facial scarring from acne or skin cell buildup from psoriasis.
People should carefully research dermaplaning before trying the treatment at home.
In this article, we explore dermaplaning and its benefits and risks. We also describe how someone can perform it and care for their skin at home.
The skin is
- chemicals
- injury
- UV light
- bacteria and other pathogens
The epidermis is the outer layer. It varies in thickness and consists of dead skin cells. The tone can be uneven and show blemishes or scars.
Dermaplaning removes the fine hairs on the skin’s surface, as well as some dead cell layers. It involves using a sterile scalpel that is rounded like a butter knife, with no sharp edges to avoid cutting sensitive skin. Professional scalpels are sharper than those for home use.
Benefits of dermaplaning may include:
- evening out the skin’s tone
- giving the skin a “fresh glow”
- removing excess oil from the face
- reducing the appearance of blemishes
- helping the skin absorb products more easily
- smoothing the skin’s texture
Dermaplaning is a painless procedure. It does not cause hair to grow back darker or thicker.
Experts consider dermaplaning to be a low risk procedure. A professional therapist may combine it with a chemical peel to reduce blemishes and scars.
Some people should ask for professional advice before having this procedure. This is true for people with:
- sensitive skin
- allergies to metal, usually stainless steel
- deep cystic acne that is currently flaring up
- rosacea
Some side effects of dermaplaning may include:
- Temporary redness or other discoloration: This usually fades within 1–2 hours of the treatment but can take a few days.
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight: Make sure to use sunscreen when outdoors.
- Increased risk of infection: Dermaplaning opens the skin barrier, which may allow bacteria to enter the skin, so it is essential to keep the area clean.
- Scars: There is also a risk that small cuts could occur during the procedure, leading to scars.
Anyone interested in other aesthetic treatments on the face, should wait at least 2 weeks after dermaplaning.
These are some benefits of in-office dermaplaning:
- A trained professional does the procedure.
- They use a sharper tool that exfoliates more deeply.
- They can also perform other treatments, such as mild chemical peels, for better results.
- When a professional performs it, there is a lower risk of cuts.
The advantages of at-home dermaplaning include:
- A home kit is likely less expensive.
- A person can do it at their convenience.
- They can postpone it due to a sudden acne breakout, for example.
At-home dermaplaning kits are available. However, anyone with active acne or rosacea should make an appointment with a professional.
Anyone dermaplaning at home should ensure that their hands and all the equipment are clean.
Also, consider taking these steps:
- Wash the face thoroughly and pat it dry, rather than rubbing it. The face should be free from sweat, bacteria, and dirt. Dry the face thoroughly.
- Do not use any products, such as dermaplane oil, during the procedure.
- With one hand, hold the skin on one side of the face taut.
- Hold the dermatome at an angle of 45 degrees and gently draw the blade down the face, using short, small strokes.
- A person may, at this stage, decide whether to dermaplane the whole face or just certain areas.
- Discard the blade according to the instructions. Some are single-use, and others are usable for longer.
A person should leave 1 week between exfoliating and dermaplaning to protect the skin.
When a person finishes the procedure, they should:
- moisturize the area using serum, a few drops of vitamin E oil, or face cream
- not apply makeup right away
During the week after the procedure, a person should:
- use a light moisturizer twice a day
- not try new skin care products, due to increased sensitivity
- avoid fragranced products
- apply sunscreen before going outdoors
- avoid sunbeds
- not use other types of hair removal, including electrolysis, laser hair removal, and depilatory creams
Dermaplaning is a low risk therapy that removes fine, excess hair and dead skin cells from the face. This may give the skin a fresh glow and even the skin’s appearance. A person can have the treatment in a surgeon’s office, an outpatient center, or a hospital.
Also, some home dermaplaning kits are available. A person should clean their face and hands and all tools thoroughly before starting to dermaplane.
Afterward, moisturize the skin and avoid applying makeup right away.
Wait at least 2 weeks before having this procedure or any others on the face.