What is Dermaplaning?

We’re all about a good skincare treatment, especially one that provides instant softness to even the roughest of skin types, gets rid of peach fuzz, and yields fresh, glowing, baby-like skin. Meet dermaplaning, the beauty treatment that’s quickly become the most buzzed about, requested service in spas across the nation (and the one that’s responsible for those impossibly good aforementioned results). Dermaplaning has been likened to shaving your face, but unlike a good duo of shaving cream and razor, the treatment involves visiting a professional to get it done. To learn all about the facial hair removal treatment, its results, and the process, keep scrolling.

 

Dermaplaning Basics

Let’s face it. Shaving your face has a bad rap—there’s the discomfort aspect of it, the fear that you’ll accidentally shave off an eyebrow, and, of course, the ever-present concern that the hair on your face will grow back thicker and with a vengeance. Truth is, while dermaplaning is essentially a form of shaving your face, it isn’t the same as taking a razor to your face in your bathroom. That’s because besides de-fuzzing, it also comes with a whole host of skincare benefits (and no, your hair won’t grow back thicker). The process, which is performed by a board-certified dermatologist or a licensed esthetician, involves gently running a dermaplaning tool (aka a razor-sharp scalpel) along the face. Despite how that sounds, it’s a painless procedure that takes roughly 30 minutes and has zero downtime. And while some skin types may experience a short bout of redness, it’s so non-invasive that it’s been dubbed the ideal lunch break treatment.

 

Does Dermaplaning Work?

Beauty fanatics have taken to dermaplaning because it provides instant results—in 30 minutes it gets rid of peach fuzz along with the top layer of dead skin cells, which ultimately reveals fresher, radiant, softer skin (and provides a smooth-like-butter surface for makeup application). Think of it like a way to manually exfoliate your skin without the chemicals, which can often be irritating for those with sensitive skin. Dermaplaning is ideal for most skin types and is generally free of side effects (with the exception of sensitive skin types, who may be pink post-treatment). However, if you have active acne, open wounds, reactive skin, or have used Accutane within six months, you’re not a candidate for dermaplaning.

 

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Ready for tackle a dermaplaning treatment? Here’s a breakdown of what to expect, plus everything you should do to prep for it to ensure your soon-to-be baby-soft skin gets the most out of the treatment.

 

Prepping Your Skin 

For five to seven days before your appointment, you should avoid using retinoids as well as any chemical exfoliators such as AHAs, BHAs, microbeads, or enzymes. Steer clear of waxing, shaving, or threading your face at least two weeks before your treatment. And remember, if you have inflamed acne, you should skip the procedure altogether, as it can not only spread bacteria—and thus, worsen your flare-ups—but it can also lead to irritation.

 

Pain Level

While the sheer thought of a blade moving across your skin may be enough to make you want to sit this treatment out, there’s actually little to no pain associated with dermaplaning. If your professional is doing it right (which is why it’s important to go to a professional in the first place), it shouldn’t be painful. In fact, your professional will simply hold your skin taut and move the scalpel at a 45-degree angle across the skin (which should just feel like a business card is being scraped across your face).

 

Cost

The cost of dermaplaning varies, but generally speaking, it ranges between $100 to $300 per session depending on your location. If you struggle with peach fuzz or are in need of a good exfoliation, though, it may be worth the price.

 

 

Aftercare

Thanks to dermaplaning, gone are the days of peach fuzz wrecking havoc on your foundation, powders, and liquids. Still, though it’s tempting, it’s important to avoid putting on makeup right after treatment and instead letting your skin breathe for the remainder of the day. However, just like you’d throw on a moisturizer after a chemical peel, you can—and should—moisturize your skin after dermaplaning. SiO Beauty’s Energy Serum is the perfect after-treatment pick-me-up, as it contains ultra-soothing actives (think: hyaluronic acid, collagen peptide, and amino acids) that help the skin maintain healthy moisture levels and reinforce the youthful, glowing results of the treatment itself.

 

Also, be sure to avoid direct sunlight for 48 to 72 hours post-treatment, and always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30. That’s because freshly exfoliated skin is always more susceptible to the sun’s harmful rays (and we know sunburns aren’t part of your plan). Finally, because dermaplaning provides a deep exfoliation, swap your chemical exfoliants for more gentle skincare products for at least the first week after your treatment to avoid any possible skin irritation.

 

How Long Does Dermaplaning Last?

Dermaplaning is said to remove three week’s worth of dead skin cells, and the results can last anywhere from two to four weeks. And, despite whatever myth you’ve been told, shaving your face will not make your hair grow back thicker, quicker, or darker. Because dermaplaning removes hair at the skin’s surface, there’s physically no way for it to increase the number of hair follicles—or speed up the rate of hair regrowth, for that matter.

 

How Often Should You Dermaplane?

Since it’s so exfoliating, experts recommend dermaplaning no more than once a month (or once quarterly if you’re of the sensitive skin type camp). If it’s important to you to maintain results, discuss what a healthy schedule would look like with your professional. And, if you're looking to do more than just get rid of peach fuzz on your face, it's important not to DIY this treatment, as home dermaplaning is not only not as effective as a medical-grade scalpel, but it can cause nicks or dermatitis.

 

Closing

Dermaplane facials are a tried-and-true way to soften out your skin, de-fuzz your face, and achieve smoother-looking face makeup. Perhaps one of the most attractive qualities of this treatment (and why countless celebs and beauty aficionados have turned to it) is that it’s safe for virtually all skin types and doesn’t come with side effects or downtime. Of course, if you have inflamed breakouts, highly reactive skin, or have open wounds, you should avoid the treatment altogether. Results are immediate and last up to four weeks for many, and it doesn’t cause your facial hair to grow back thicker. If dermaplaning sounds like a treatment you’re up for, visit your board-certified dermatologist or aesthetician to discuss if it’s right for you.