What is Dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is a treatment that uses a special razor blade to gently exfoliate the outer layer of dead skin cells and remove fine facial hair commonly known as “peach fuzz”, technically called “vellus” hair. It can be used as an alternative to laser treatments, waxing, or threading. This procedure will not only remove facial hair but also give your skin a more radiant appearance. Following the treatment, makeup application is smoother and other skincare products are able to penetrate deeper in turn making them more effective. Dermaplaning also promotes cell turnover and collagen production which leads to a more even skin tone. 

Am I a good candidate?

Dermaplaning is great for most skin types, including those with an aging, dry, rough, or uneven skin tone. Dermaplaning can also help reduce the appearance of shallow acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, and superficial hyperpigmentation. It is a type of manual exfoliation like a face scrub. However, unlike a scrub, dermaplaning does not irritate the skin or cause micro-abrasions so it won’t cause hyperpigmentation. It’s actually one of the best exfoliation methods for dark skin because it instantly removes the dark baby hair that can make dark skin look duller than it really is.

It is important to note that dermaplaning is not suitable for individuals with active acne, inflamed skin, or certain skin conditions such as rosacea or eczema. Each individual is different, so it is always best to consult with a licensed dermatologist to determine if dermaplaning is right for you.

Is the treatment safe?

Dermaplaning is 100% safe when used as instructed. The dermaplaning razor contains blade guards to help prevent cuts. There is no more risk to the skin than when you shave your legs. You must allow the skin time to regenerate in between sessions and cannot do this procedure daily. It is recommended that you wait at least a week in between dermaplaning sessions. The blades should also be replaced or sanitized regularly.  

Does it hurt? Will it cause cuts?

Dermaplaning is actually one of the least painful ways to remove facial hair and dead skin—especially when compared to other hair removal techniques like sugaring, threading, and waxing. Many people describe the feeling of dermaplaning as a gentle tickle or brushing sensation. Dermaplaning is effective by performing a gentle scraping motion across the skin’s surface. There are always risks of minor cuts on the skin, however, if any, they are small and very minor as the pressure used for Dermaplaning cannot cause a deep cut. These nicks and scrapes heal within 24-48 hours. If you follow the instructions properly, you should not experience any cuts.  

 

Will it make the hair on my face grow back thicker and darker?

No. There are different types of hair that grow on the body; vellus hair and terminal hair. Vellus hair is found on most areas of the body except palms, soles, lips and genital areas, whereas terminal hairs are found on the scalp, underarms and pubic region. The soft and fine vellus hair grows back at the same rate and texture.

Let’s get this rumor over with once and for all: no matter where it grows on your body, shaving does not cause hair to grow back thicker or darker. Many people think that shaving your legs or underarms causes thicker hair growth. This is false. Shaving simply creates a blunt tip on the hairs, which many people interpret as greater thickness. When you dermaplane, you are removing very, very fine hair called vellus hair. This hair is so thin and soft that removing it with a dermaplaning tool will have little to no impact on how it looks when it grows back. After removing the vellus hair, your skin will instantly feel and look smoother and brighter. It will take about a week for the hair to grow back, at which time you can dermaplane again. The only way that the hair will grow back thicker or darker is you remove it from the root with methods such as waxing, tweezing, or threading. Dermaplaning is also an excellent way to control hair growth in between electrolysis treatments since it does not remove the root.  

How long is the treatment? How often can I have it done?

Dermaplaning at home takes anywhere between 2-15 minutes and can be performed every 1-4 weeks. It is important to let your skin rejuvenate in between sessions and you should not dermaplane more than once a week.

Can I dermaplane with acne?

Most acne is caused by lack of exfoliation, dermaplaning is a fantastic way to help prevent acne. If you have a few pimples, dermaplaning is perfectly safe as long as you avoid those areas.  Dermaplaning over cystic-acne is also safe and recommended as the additional exfoliation will help to drive acne fighting ingredients and serums deeper into the skin. If you have active pustular acne, we do not recommend dermaplaning over it, as you run the risk of nicking yourself and spreading bacteria. You must address your pustular acne first.

Will dermaplaning cause breakouts? 

Like most exfoliation techniques, dermaplaning prevents breakouts rather than causes them. While dermaplaning can’t be performed on skin with active acne, it will prevent clogged pores and pimples from forming. By removing the top layer of dead skin cells, dermaplaning prevents these cells from getting trapped inside your pores. Less dead skin results in fewer breakouts. By gently exfoliating the skin, dermaplaning also makes it easier for acne treatments and serums to penetrate into the pores to prevent and treat breakouts. We recommend replacing the blade after each use; however, if the blade is re-used, it is important to properly sterilize it immediately after each use to prevent the growth of bacteria and potential acne. 

How often do I need to replace the blade? 

It is always recommended to replace the blade after each use, particularly if you are removing a lot of hair. The blade dulls with each use so your results will always be best when the blade is fresh. If you don't have a lot of hair to remove, you can re-use the blades up to 3 times as long as they are properly sterilized. Re-using blades requires proper sterilization with isopropyl alcohol, otherwise, you run the risk of bacteria growth on the blade which could contribute to the formation of acne. Always wipe off, sterilize, and dry your blades before putting the cap back on. 

Can the blades be recycled?

Our design was intended to minimize the use of non-recyclable waste by allowing for small, interchangeable blades on a solid, reusable wand. The plastic caps can all be recycled. At this time, the small interchangeable blades are not recyclable; however, we are currently working on a program to also recycle the used blades.