DERMAPLANING 101
All The Need-To-Knows Simplified
By Hiranmayii Awli Mohanan
Dermaplaning has exploded in popularity recently thanks to its allure of ridding of facial hair and creating a baby soft face and smoother base for foundation. Dermaplaning is an exfoliating treatment that involves gently scraping the surface of your skin with a surgical scalpel. Even though it sounds like yet another beauty treatment with too-good-to-be-true results, dermaplaning is actually one of the most effective dermatologist-backed solutions for dealing with dull skin.
# WHAT IS DERMAPLANING?
Dermaplaning is a short, in-office or spa procedure that resembles getting your face shaved. The purpose of it is to exfoliate the skin and remove small, fine baby hairs, also known as vellus hairs, so your face glows and feels softer. To be specific, dermaplaning uses a sharp No. 10 surgical blade (a larger, fatter surgical blade) held at a 45-degree angle with delicate, feathering strokes to gently scrape the outer layer of the skin which consists of dull dead skin cells.
# THE PROS AND CONS
On the one hand, removal of vellus hair or peach fuzz can allow make-up to sit more smoothly, give skin more of a light refraction and glow as it is also essentially creating an exfoliation as well as hair removal. The removal also benefits women who are quite self-conscious about their facial fuzz, particularly if it spans most of the lower cheek. Your skin will feel seriously smooth and look super even, thanks to a solid exfoliation. Still, this treatment isn’t exactly a wonderful cure for your skin. While some experts are curious about whether or not dermaplaning could improve how well creams and serums are absorbed into the skin, its effect on product absorption isn’t 100% clear. But if you’re simply looking for a great exfoliating treatment and want something manual versus chemical (like a face peel), the procedure is a good alternative that works well for all skin types.
Dermaplaning is safe for virtually everyone. However, you should avoid it if you have a tan, sunburn, active acne, a flaring rosacea breakout, or an inflammatory skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis, as the procedure can worsen these issues. If you have a lot of deep acne scarring, you also want to be careful with dermaplaning since there may be an easier chance of nicking your skin during the treatment. Lastly, let your dermatologist know if you have a history of cold sores since dermaplaning can re-activate them. If you tell them beforehand, your doc can give you an antiviral to prevent outbreaks. Another con is that many patients think they have vellus hair but they don’t. When the wrong type of hair is dermaplaned, it can lead to thicker regrowth.
DOES DERMAPLANING CAUSE BREAKOUTS?
Quite the opposite, actually. A buildup of dead skin can clog your pores and hair follicles, which can not only cause pimples but also block your skincare products from penetrating the skin, which is why exfoliation is essential for maintaining an even, healthy glow. But if you suffer from an existing breakout, you’ll unfortunately need to sit this treatment out.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU DERMAPLANE?
For truly vellus hair that is affecting your appearance and you feel uncomfortable, treatment can be performed every four to six weeks.
CAN YOU WEAR MAKEUP AFTER DERMAPLANING?
Ever notice how peach fuzz tends to stand out even more underneath foundation and face powder? Well, since dermaplaning removes all the little hairs on your face, your makeup will actually glide on super smoothly, hence its appeal. Although it’s tempting to see the results right away, try to avoid having a face full of makeup immediately after your dermaplaning treatment. Allow the skin to breathe for the rest of the day. Once your skin has taken about a day or so to settle, you can lather on all the foundation your heart desires. Post treatment, it’s recommended to use a rich hyaluronic acid mask or moisturising cream to help repair your skin and keep it super hydrated.
DOES THE TREATMENT HURT?
The thought of a blade sliding across your face is scary, but it’s actually not painful at all. Think of it like shaving any other part of your body. You can feel it but it doesn’t and shouldn’t hurt if you’re doing it right. Again, that’s why it’s super important to leave dermaplaning to professionals.