A Beginner’s Guide To Dermaplaning
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Dermaplaning Is A Manual Exfoliation Technique
“By gently scraping away the top layers of skin, the technique brightens the complexion by clearing away dead skin cells and hair debris – called fine vellus hairs – which are also known as ‘peach fuzz’. This is what gives you that baby smooth finish afterwards. It can be done from home, but an in-clinic professional will use a surgical-blade scalpel as part of a wider treatment – which is probably to be advised.” – Dr David Jack, aesthetic doctor
Skin Texture Will Dramatically Improve
“Just like manual exfoliation, dermaplaning takes away the barriers that limit your skincare from penetrating the skin effectively. This means your products often work so much better after this treatment. You’ll notice your face feels much smoother and looks much brighter and fresher, too.” – Nurse Dawn Attewell, clinical director at Dawn Attewell Aesthetics at Therapy House
“By removing these dull upper layers of the skin, a fresher complexion shines through, and make-up sits on top much more seamlessly. Sometimes, the excess hair can make women quite self-conscious, particularly if when it’s darker and spans most of the lower cheek.” – Dr David Jack
It's Now Really Popular
“Dermaplaning is popular because of its many benefits – not to mention the fact it’s quick and easy to do, and there’s zero downtime involved. A raft of social media and influencers also swear by it, which has helped get the word out.” – David
“Dermaplaning doesn’t use potentially irritating chemical exfoliants – which also explains why it’s so popular. Having it done can also prevent breakouts, improve the look fine lines and wrinkles – all while triggering skin regeneration. It’s painless and generates immediate results with zero downtime. It’s a quick and painless instant fix.” – Dawn
Dermaplaning Rarely Causes Irritation
“Those with sensitive skin – which is typically irritated or inflamed by even the mildest procedures and ingredients – should know that this low-irritation exfoliation treatment doesn’t involve any harsh chemicals. It means most skin types are eligible for dermaplaning. If you have any concerns, your specialist will be made aware pre-procedure and treat you accordingly.” – Dr Hasan Benar, dermatologist at Dr Elif Clinic
“Darker, melanin rich skin tones are typically more prone to scarring than lighter skin. Therefore, we often get questions about whether dermaplaning affects darker skin in the same way. As it is a very gentle procedure, done right, it’s completely safe and a non-damaging treatment for darker skin.” – David
There Are Some Exceptions
“Although dermaplaning is completely safe for most – including those who are pregnant – people with extremely sensitive skin, thick facial hair or more serious skin issues like acne and rosacea are not encouraged to try it. This treatment could further aggravate the problem and even spread it. I would always suggest that anyone with deep cystic acne waits until their breakouts calm down before getting this treatment.” – Dawn
There’s Also A Difference Between At-Home & In-Clinic Procedures
“The main thing to remember with at-home devices is they won’t be as sharp as surgical blades, which, in my opinion, give the best results. Clinic treatments will always be done using laser-cut scalpel blades, whereas at-home devices use machine-cut blades. They are less sharp, but safer. However, even with a less sharp device, the risk of cuts and irritation still exists. You need to ensure you’re perfecting your technique. My best advice is to get it done professionally first, then use a DIY device for top-ups. That way you can understand how it is done properly, before going in and causing unnecessary damage.” – David
“It can be done safely and effectively from the comfort of your home – as long as you're using the correct products and techniques. I recommend electronic devices, but whatever tool you choose, always make sure it's explicitly designed for dermaplaning, as opposed to say, an eyebrow razor. Another key tip would be to avoid dull blades, as these can result in skin irritation and leave behind pesky stubble.” – Dawn
You Can Combine It With Other Treatments
“In my clinic, we often dermaplane alongside an exfoliating peel. It is common to combine dermaplaning with a blended skin peel for smooth and luminous results. Sometimes, you might want to add in mesotherapy and/or radiofrequency for skin tightening, depending on your needs. Injectables tend to also be a popular treatment alongside dermaplaning as well.” – David
The Treatment Starts With Skin Prep
“We begin by cleaning the skin, removing any make-up and other debris that could clog up your pores or lead to ingrown hairs down the line. We then apply a fruit-based glycolic acid peel, followed by gently shaving the top layer of the skin. This allows the cocktail of vitamin and pro-collagen serums to penetrate the skin. The process itself consists of creating short strokes with a surgical blade at a 45° angle to remove the hair, and we clean the blade as we go. The whole process is completely painless, besides some short-term redness for those with sensitive skin.” – David
Thicker Regrowth Is A Myth
“Although the top layer of skin – including dead skin cells and hair – is exfoliated, the layers deeper down, including the skin’s barrier, remain strongly intact (provided it’s done by an experienced practitioner). That means there’s no risk of the hairs growing back thicker or darker – as many fear – since the hair follicles are not actually affected – only the shafts of the very fine vellus hairs. The risk of these hairs converting to thicker 'terminal' hairs is a total myth.” – David
However, It Could Affect The Rate Of Growth
“Compared to other hair-removal treatments like waxing and tweezing, dermaplaning does not fully remove hair from its follicle, so hairs could grow back a bit sooner than if you were to wax. Also, when compared to the price, which can be a bit more expensive than other hair removal methods, you have to consider if keeping up with these treatements regularly is worth it for you, given the faster rate of regrowth.” –Hasan
Treatment Frequency Depends On Your Desired Results
“Generally, I would suggest dermaplaning every three to four weeks. However, if you want to focus on minimising hair regrowth, it really depends on how long it takes for your individual hair to grow back. Your practitioner should be able to advise and build you a treatment plan.” – Hasan
There Are Some Common Side Effects
“There is a risk of nicking the face, and if you do, it's likely to cause a scar. That’s why seeking out dermaplaning ‘specific’ kits is key to even and smooth results. If you are ever worried, go to a professional and get their advice.” – Dawn
“I have even treated scarring cases where patients have seen ‘trained’ practitioners. Typically, this happens if the scalpel has been caught on the hair and been dragged on the skin. Even with a guard it could lead to some damage if not carried out carefully, so choose your clinic wisely. Often word of mouth is best, or take the time to do your research and always read reviews first.” – David
Results Can Vary From Person To Person
“Every individual has a different skin type and level of sensitivity, as well as different hair-growth cycles. Therefore, some individuals may find dermaplaning to be highly effective in staving off the onset of regrowth, whereas others may not notice a significant difference in delaying the natural process. It’s important to note how much it can vary pre-treatment, so you’re aware when you may or may not need more treatments and top-ups.” – Hasan
Aftercare Is Simple
“Done correctly, the side effects of dermaplaning are generally limited to a little redness and very mild dryness – especially if dermaplaning has been done in combination with a peel.” – David
“Just try to avoid anything that is going to irritate or dry out the skin. For example, don’t swim after a treatment, as chlorine may irritate the skin. Additionally, make sure you use sunscreen if you’re going outside. I recommend SPF50 when it's extra sunny, or SPF30 for regular use, to maintain the quality of your skin after treatment.” – Dawn
Three Of Our Favourite Places For Dermaplaning
Dr. David Jack, DrDavidJackClinic.com
Experts At SKN Clinic, SKNClinics.co.uk
Skinfit Face & Body Clinic, SkinFitClinic.co.uk
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