What is Dermaplaning Treatment?

With so many makeup fads and gimmicks popping in and out of the beauty sphere these days, it’s easy to get sucked into a particular trend only to find out that it has lost its “hype” a few days after. However, there is one craze that won’t seem to budge off social media feeds despite being around for quite a while: dermaplaning.

If you’ve been following celebrities and beauty editors on Instagram, you might have come across plenty of them undergoing and raving about a treatment that scraped their faces with too-sharp, scalpel-like razors. And no matter how much you shake your head and roll your eyes at the apparently ridiculous idea of having that sharp-of-an-object close to the face, if you’re into the latest beauty trends, we know you’re dying to find out more about it too.

So what exactly is dermaplaning and what made it the newest “IT” thing in beauty?

stock photo by Robert Przybysz

Dermaplaning, Explained

As you age, your cell turnover decreases and affects the texture and tone of your skin. Dermaplaning is a procedure that buffs away the top layer of dead skin cells and peach fuzz from the face using a scalpel-like tool to help reveal a smoother and more radiant complexion. The results can last all month long.

Compared to other chemical peeling treatments, dermaplaning does not give you a red, sunburnt-looking face afterward. Though you may experience some peeling and dryness post-procedure, it has zero downtime so you can still go about your daily routine with confidence, which may not be the case after most traditional chemical peels.

By clearing away the dead skin cells that clog your pores, dermaplaning helps your skin absorb products, serums, and facial treatments better to achieve their desired effects.

Also, with your face free of peach fuzz and vellus hair, your skin becomes smoother and softer, making it easier for makeup to glide flawlessly across the surface. In fact, many of those who tried it claimed that the procedure changed their life as far as makeup application goes.

Along with these benefits, dermaplaning may also improve the skin condition of those suffering from blemishes and breakouts. Scraping off the face’s top skin layer allows the release of toxins and build-ups, which when removed, perks up skin quality.

All these results working together not only makes your skin look healthier but gives it an instant dewy and youthful glow as well.

Is It For You?

Since people, in general, are not of the same skin type and textures, the most frequently asked question is: Is it for me?

Well, if you have acne, there’s always a chance that your dermatologist could nick off a pimple. Though it’s not a complete no-go, it should be wiser to postpone the treatment until the breakouts subside.

Cystic acne, however, is another case entirely. People with this skin condition are not recommended to undergo dermaplaning and advised to consult a dermatologist before trying the treatment.

Oh, and one more thing: if you have thick facial hair, you may not find dermaplaning very satisfactory. Those with excessive facial hair may experience “razor rashes” and stubble as the hair grows back.

Don’t Try It At Home

Because dermaplaning involves the use of surgical scalpels and not just your ordinary razor, never attempt to do it at home. For the best and safest results, see a trusted dermatology clinic and leave the treatment to the pros!

Have you had a dermaplaning treatment done? If so, let me know in the comments section below. I’d love to hear your opinion.

About the Author

Guest author is Dr. Shannon York, Medical Director at Expert Aesthetix. She has been working in the field of anti-aging and naturopathic medicine for nearly a decade now. An expert in all aspects of aesthetic medicine, Dr. York specializes in women’s health, injectables, medical weight loss, natural hormone replacement therapy and anti-aging nutrition.