Dermaplaning is a cosmetic procedure that exfoliates the skin and removes vellus hair (peach fuzz), resulting in a smoother, brighter complexion. Proper preparation before a dermaplaning session is crucial for maximizing results and minimizing potential irritation. This article provides a comprehensive guide to preparing your skin for dermaplaning, ensuring a comfortable and effective treatment experience.
Introduction
Dermaplaning involves using a sterile surgical blade to gently scrape off the top layer of dead skin cells and fine facial hair. This process promotes cell turnover and renewal, revealing a radiant glow. While dermaplaning is generally safe for most skin types, proper preparation is essential to optimize results and prevent complications.
Why Preparation Matters
Effective dermaplaning preparation significantly impacts both the comfort of the treatment and the final results. Properly prepared skin allows the blade to glide more smoothly, making the treatment more comfortable and the results more dramatic. Skin care before dermaplaning isn’t complicated, but it does require some planning and attention to detail. The goal is to create optimal conditions for the treatment while avoiding anything that might cause irritation or interfere with the process.
Pre-Treatment Timeline
A well-structured pre-treatment timeline is key to ensuring your skin is in optimal condition for dermaplaning. This timeline typically starts one week before the appointment, allowing your skin adequate time to adapt to routine modifications.
One Week Before Treatment
- Discontinue Exfoliating Products: Stop using retinoids, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or other exfoliating products to prevent over-sensitizing your skin.
- Avoid Hair Removal: Skip facial waxing, threading, or any other hair removal techniques during this period. The fine hair that dermaplaning removes is part of the treatment’s effectiveness.
- Sun Protection: Sun protection becomes especially important during this preparation week. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily and avoid prolonged sun exposure that could cause irritation or sensitivity.
3-5 Days Before Treatment
- Gentle Skincare Routine: Continue your gentle skincare routine while avoiding any new products that might cause reactions. Stick to cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen that you know work well with your skin.
- Hydration: Focus on maintaining good hydration. Use a gentle, hydrating moisturizer twice daily to ensure your skin is well-prepared for the exfoliation process.
- Avoid Facial Treatments: Avoid facial treatments like peels, microdermabrasion, or other professional exfoliation services that could leave your skin sensitive or irritated.
Treatment Day Preparation
- Clean Skin: Arrive at your appointment with clean skin, free of makeup, lotions, or skincare products. This allows your provider to properly assess your skin and ensures the treatment works effectively.
- Limit Caffeine: Limit caffeine intake if it causes jitters, as maintaining a relaxed state during treatment helps achieve optimal outcomes.
- Comfortable Clothing: Wear comfortable clothing and avoid scheduling strenuous activities immediately afterward, though no significant downtime is required.
Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Your Skin
Start With a Clean Face: Arrive at your appointment with clean, makeup-free skin. Removing dirt, oil, and impurities ensures the dermaplaning blade glides smoothly across your skin without tugging or irritation. Cleanse your face thoroughly before heading to your appointment. Avoid applying heavy products like moisturizers or oils after cleansing unless directed by your provider.
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Hydrate Your Skin: Hydration is key to ensuring your skin is soft and supple during dermaplaning. Well-hydrated skin reduces the risk of irritation and allows the blade to exfoliate more effectively. Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment. Use a lightweight, water-based moisturizer or serum with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to prep your skin.
Avoid Exfoliating Products: Dermaplaning already provides deep exfoliation, so using additional exfoliants beforehand can make your skin overly sensitive. Discontinue the use of scrubs, AHAs, BHAs, or glycolic acid at least 5-7 days before your appointment. Stop using retinoids or retinol-based products a few days prior to avoid irritation or redness.
Protect Your Skin From Sun Exposure: Sunburned or irritated skin cannot be treated safely with dermaplaning. Avoid excessive sun exposure or tanning beds for at least one to two weeks before your session. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily to protect your skin from UV damage.
Skip Other Treatments Beforehand: To prevent over-exfoliation or irritation, avoid scheduling other skincare treatments like waxing, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion within a week of dermaplaning.
Avoid Heavy Creams and Oils: Thick creams and oils can create a barrier on the skin that hinders the precision of the dermaplaning blade. Opt for lightweight, water-based serums if hydration is needed before your session. Ensure your skin is completely dry after cleansing, as leftover moisture can interfere with the blade’s glide.
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Check for Skin Conditions or Wounds: If you have active acne, cold sores, cuts, or open wounds on your face, it’s best to reschedule your appointment until your skin has healed completely. Treating compromised skin increases the risk of irritation or infection. If you develop active acne or irritation, contact your provider to discuss whether to proceed or reschedule. Dermaplaning on compromised skin can worsen breakouts and delay healing.
Inform Your Provider About Medications: Let your provider know if you’re taking any medications that may affect your skin’s sensitivity, such as isotretinoin (Accutane) or blood thinners. This helps them tailor the treatment for maximum safety and effectiveness. If you’re taking isotretinoin, a prescription medication used to treat severe acne, you should wait 6 months after you stop taking it to try dermaplaning.
What to Expect During Your Dermaplaning Session
The experience typically begins with a consultation. Your aesthetician will carefully assess your skin, discuss your goals, and address any specific concerns or sensitivities you may have. This step ensures the treatment is customized to meet your unique needs.
Next, your skin will be thoroughly cleansed to remove any dirt, oil, or makeup. This creates a clean canvas and helps ensure the dermaplaning process is as effective as possible.
During the procedure, your aesthetician will gently exfoliate the outermost layer of your skin using a sterilized surgical blade. This leaves your complexion brighter and smoother by removing peach fuzz and dead skin cells. The process is painless and often described as light brushing against the skin.
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A facial session typically takes 30 minutes but can last up to an hour and a half.
Post-Treatment Care
After your dermaplaning session, your skin will be more receptive to skincare products and more sensitive to environmental factors. Here’s how to keep it looking its best:
- Moisturize Like a Pro: Your skin will be thirstier than usual, so don’t skimp on moisturizer. Look for products that contain moisturizing components, such as ceramides or hyaluronic acid.
- Apply Sunscreen Religiously: Dermaplaning removes the outer layer of dead skin cells, leaving your skin more susceptible to sun damage. Be sure to apply a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher daily, even if you’re indoors.
- Avoid Harsh Products: Skip the retinol, acids, and exfoliants for at least a week post-treatment. Stick to gentle, hydrating products to avoid irritation.
- Don’t Touch Your Face: We get it-your skin feels incredibly smooth, and it’s tempting to keep touching it. But try to resist! Keep your hands off your newly exfoliated skin to prevent outbreaks since it is more vulnerable to germs.
- Hold Off on Makeup: While your skin may be the perfect canvas for makeup, it’s best to let it breathe for at least 24 hours after your session. If you must wear makeup, choose lightweight, non-comedogenic products.
Taking care of your skin is essential after dermaplaning. Be gentle with your skin for the next few days. Your practitioner will likely advise the following:
- Avoid harsh cleaners, toners, or exfoliants.
- Apply soothing moisturizer and sunscreen daily.
- Avoid direct sunlight.
- Avoid heavy makeup.
There’s no downtime needed to let your skin heal. Experts recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 and a moisturizer afterward. That’s because your skin may be more sensitive.
Benefits of Proper Preparation
Dermaplaning skin prep directly impacts how effective your treatment will be and how comfortable you’ll feel during the process. When your skin is properly prepared, the dead skin cells and peach fuzz come off more easily, allowing for more thorough exfoliation.
Prepared skin also means fewer complications during treatment. Properly hydrated, clean skin without active irritation allows your provider to work more efficiently and achieve more consistent results across your entire face. The psychological benefits of good preparation shouldn’t be overlooked either. When you know you’ve done everything right leading up to your appointment, you can relax and enjoy the treatment experience rather than worrying about whether you’ve forgotten something important.
Post-treatment results also improve with proper preparation. Skin that’s been well-cared-for before dermaplaning typically heals faster, experiences less irritation, and shows more dramatic improvements in texture and radiance. Additionally, good preparation habits often translate into better post-treatment care, creating a positive cycle that enhances both immediate and long-term results from your dermaplaning experience.
Who Is Dermaplaning Best For?
Dermaplaning appeals to a wide range of people seeking smoother, more radiant skin through gentle exfoliation. The procedure is ideal for:
- People with dry, rough, or dull skin wanting immediate texture improvement and better makeup application.
- Individuals preparing for weddings, photoshoots, or presentations who need quick skin-smoothing results.
- Those with sensitive skin who find dermaplaning gentler than chemical exfoliation methods.
- Both younger and mature clients seeking to refresh their complexion regardless of age.
- Pregnant or nursing individuals who prefer dermaplaning over chemical treatments.
Those with active acne, rosacea, or sunburn should wait until skin heals.
Common Myths About Dermaplaning
- Hair Grows Back Thicker: It’s a myth that your hair will grow back thicker or darker after dermaplaning. While hair that grows back may feel courser at first, it will get softer over time. Dermaplaning doesn’t affect the hair follicle’s structure. Hair growth after dermaplaning does not typically grow back thicker or darker, but it may grow back at a different angle. This may change how it looks and feels.
- Shaving Before Dermaplaning: Never shave before dermaplaning-the fine facial hair is meant to be removed during the treatment. Shaving beforehand defeats part of the purpose and can cause irritation that interferes with the procedure.
Potential Side Effects and How to Avoid Them
If done with incorrect techniques or tools, you may experience side effects like a breakout. You may want to avoid dermaplaning if you currently have acne or are in the middle of a breakout. Bacteria from a current breakout can spread to other areas of the skin, making it worse. It’s best to avoid dermaplaning until your skin clears up.
Short-term side effects may include:
- Red and swollen skin from the scraping
- Soreness
- A burning or tingling sensation for about 48 hours after the procedure
Dermaplaning isn’t recommended if you have inflammatory skin conditions such as:
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
- Sunburn
To minimize the risk of side effects, it’s best to go to a licensed aesthetician or doctor if you’re thinking about trying dermaplaning. Do-it-yourself kits and tools are available online and at your local drugstore. But because you’re using a very sharp blade, you may cut your skin when you scrape it. This can lead to infection or other problems. Dermaplaning should only be performed by a trained and licensed professional. Plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and cosmetologists who are experienced and licensed are your best choices when receiving dermaplaning. At-home kits are available on the market. But using these without proper training can increase your risks of side effects, including scarring.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I use my regular skincare products right up until treatment? Dermaplaning pre-treatment tips include avoiding active ingredients like retinoids and acids for at least one week before treatment, but gentle cleansers and moisturizers are fine to use until the day of your appointment.
- What if I have a breakout right before my appointment? If you develop active acne or irritation, contact your provider to discuss whether to proceed or reschedule. Dermaplaning on compromised skin can worsen breakouts and delay healing.
- Should I shave before my dermaplaning treatment? Never shave before dermaplaning-the fine facial hair is meant to be removed during the treatment. Shaving beforehand defeats part of the purpose and can cause irritation that interferes with the procedure.
- Is Dermaplaning Safe for All Skin Types? For the most part, yes! Dermaplaning is safe for most skin types, but it may not be suitable if you have active acne, rosacea, or extremely sensitive skin. Always consult with your aesthetician to determine if it’s right for you.
- Will My Peach Fuzz Grow Back Thicker? This is a common myth! Your facial hair will regrow with the same texture and thickness. Dermaplaning doesn’t affect the hair follicle’s structure.
- How Often Should I Get Dermaplaning? Most people benefit from dermaplaning every 4-6 weeks. Your aesthetician can help you determine the ideal schedule based on your skin’s needs.
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