Dermaplaning is a non-invasive treatment which uses a surgical blade to precisely remove the top layers of dead skin and hair to reveal the luminescent skin underneath. It can be described as the scratching of the surface of the skin with a surgical blade at a 45-degree angle to remove the uppermost layer of dead skin cells. This creates an exfoliation treatment designed to help us look younger. Dry, dull and damaged skin can detract from your overall appearance and confidence and oftentimes when the skin is dry, moisturizers have trouble penetrating through the tough outer layer.
This renders some of these topical treatments ineffective. This procedure also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and has been around for the last 35 years or so. It is also often referred to as epidermal leveling and unlike a scrub or microdermabrasion, it provides the added benefit of removing vellus hair, often referred to as peach fuzz, from the face.
There are many benefits to dermaplaning. Once clients enter their 30s, the natural cell turnover process begins to slow down, causing a layer of dead skin cells on the surface. This buildup accentuates the appearance of wrinkles, and dulls the skin. Dermaplaning is recommended every four to six weeks, there is no down-time and is considered a lunch time procedure and make up can be applied immediately afterwards.
Dermaplaning is ideal for most skin types, particularly those with dry skin. However, if you are prone to acne—especially cystic acne—you should not have it done. Dermaplaning is also a good exfoliation option for women during pregnancy, when harsher, chemical methods are not recommended.
Dermaplaning is painless and can be compared to the sensation of shaving. After the face is cleansed and thoroughly dried, skin is scraped using a sterile, small-gage blade using gentle, feathery strokes. The full procedure takes approximately 30 minutes.
Not at all. Microdermabrasion sands and suctions away dead skin cells, while dermaplaning gently scrapes off the top layer of skin. Also, dermaplaning doesn’t cause inflammation or disrupt the delicate pH balance of the skin the way that microdermabrasion and peels can (a.k.a. there’s no risk of looking like tuna tartare afterward).
There are no side effects and no down time associated with this treatment. As with any exfoliating procedure, skin may look a little pink immediately afterward, so it’s important to wear sunscreen to reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation.
For best results, dermaplaning should not be done more than every three to four weeks. This helps ensure healthy skin turnover.
While DIY skincare might sound appealing, it’s definitely not recommended. Dermaplaning requires the use of a professional blade, so it’s best to have it done by a licensed esthetician who has been properly trained and can guarantee you won’t receive too much (or too little) exfoliation. A trained esthetician can also customize the treatment to give you maximum results.