Dermaplaning: What to Apply to Your Face for Best Results

Dermaplaning, also known as dermablading, is an exfoliating treatment that uses a surgical scalpel to remove the top layer of skin, helping in exfoliation and hair removal. It is a skincare treatment that involves using a small exfoliating scalpel to remove the topmost layer of skin, which typically harbors dirt, oil, dead skin cells, and peach fuzz. The easy exfoliation of the dermaplaning razor blade promotes cell turnover and renewal, revealing your skin’s true glow. The intent is to improve the appearance of skin, as opposed to the removal of hair.

Benefits of Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning offers several potential benefits such as smoother skin, hair removal, exfoliation, reducing the appearance of scars, and facilitating easier makeup application.

Here's a breakdown of the benefits:

  • Exfoliation: Dermaplaning can help remove some of the excess dead skin cells on your face.
  • Smoother Skin: Dermaplaning can leave your skin looking and feeling smoother.
  • Hair Removal: Some people like how their skin looks and feels without facial hair. Removing fine, dark hairs on your face can also help brighten your complexion.
  • Reduce the Appearance of Scars: Dermaplaning, especially when performed by a professional, is meant to remove surface layers of the skin, which may help the appearance of scarring.
  • Easier Makeup Application: Dermaplaning can make your skin feel smoother, which can make makeup application feel like a breeze.

Potential Side Effects

While dermaplaning is generally safe, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects like sensitivity and redness, especially for different skin types. Depending on your skin type, some of the most common side effects of dermaplaning can include sensitivity and redness.

Professional vs. At-Home Dermaplaning

There’s a distinction between professional dermaplaning done by dermatologists or estheticians and at-home practices. Each has its pros and cons, with professional sessions offering more thorough exfoliation but at a higher cost. A certified dermatologist or esthetician will use an angled surgical blade for shaving, rather than a single blade you can buy at the drugstore. This means that it’ll be easier to get rid of the layers of dead skin cells-so, in terms of exfoliation, this is the more effective way to go. You’ll also be able to chat with a dermaplaning professional, which can be very appealing if you have acne-prone or sensitive skin, or specific skin concerns. Of course, going to a professional comes with some costs-literally. Dermaplaning sessions at a salon can be pricey, especially compared to going the DIY route at home.

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If you’re comfortable doing it yourself, dermaplaning from the comfort of your home might be the more attractive option. It’s generally safe and less expensive than going into a salon. However, most DIY dermaplaning kits come with just a small single blade-which isn’t to say that you won’t be able to remove dead skin cells! But it is more likely that you’ll be removing just your facial hair.

Tips for Safe and Effective At-Home Dermaplaning

Key tips for safe and effective at-home dermaplaning include starting with a clean face, using the right tools like single-blade razors, working on damp skin, targeting specific areas, and being cautious about the angle and pressure used.

Here's a more detailed look at how to dermaplane at home:

  1. Start with a Clean Canvas: Always begin with thoroughly cleansed skin. This helps remove any dirt, oil, or makeup that could interfere with the dermaplaning process. Rinse well and gently pat your skin dry. Clean your skin with a cleansing primer to prep it for dermaplaning. It’s important to use a face cleanser specifically designed to remove dirt and oils before dermaplaning. Our NEW Facial Cleansing Primer cleanses and instantly hydrates skin and facial hair, helping your face feel clean and prepped for dermaplaning. It’s made with skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide, cucumber and aloe, but without all that other stuff like fragrances, dyes, sulfates or parabens.Simply apply a small amount to a cotton pad or cleansing pad, ideally a reusable pad, and wipe your entire face. Our cleansing primer even removes stubborn dirt, makeup and oil other cleansers may leave behind. Repeat until the pad comes back clean. It can be used alone or as a double-cleanse for a deep clean.
  2. Choose the Right Tool: Opt for small, single-blade razors like Tinkle. These are specifically designed for dermaplaning and are much easier to handle, likely making your experience safer and more effective.
  3. Work on Damp Skin: After cleansing, while your skin is still slightly damp, gently draw the dermablade across your skin. This helps in removing fine hairs and peach fuzz more effectively.
  4. Target Key Areas: Focus initially on areas where peach fuzz tends to be thickest, such as the jaw, neck, and upper lip. These areas often require more attention.
  5. Shave with the Grain: For the gentlest approach, shave in the direction of hair growth. This technique is kinder on your skin and reduces the risk of irritation.
  6. Maintain the Right Angle: Keep the blade almost parallel to the skin. Be cautious and ensure you don’t angle the blade too steeply to avoid nicks and cuts.
  7. Avoid Sensitive Areas: Steer clear of dermaplaning over acne breakouts or inflamed skin. Doing so can aggravate these conditions and cause discomfort.
  8. Double-Check Your Work: Use a magnified mirror in natural light to inspect your skin. This will help you spot any areas you may have missed, particularly on the cheeks, chin, upper lip, or neck.
  9. Be Extra Careful Against the Grain: Shaving against the grain can help remove stubborn fuzz, but be cautious. This technique requires a gentle, upward motion and can increase the risk of cuts, so proceed with care.

What to Apply to Your Face After Dermaplaning

Topical products that nurture your skin are essential after dermaplaning. After dermaplaning, the skin is often sensitive and dry so use only essential products in your skincare routine - a cleanser, serum/moisturizer, and sunscreen. Ensure the products are mild, without acids, retinol, or other potentially abrasive ingredients. Choose serums and moisturizers with potent hydrating agents, such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to apply to your face after dermaplaning:

Read also: Facial oil: Benefits and how to use

  1. Cleanse Gently: You’ll want to cleanse your face gently immediately after dermaplaning. A gentle cleanser will remove any debris or residue left behind on the skin’s surface. Avoid foaming or gel cleansers, which can be stripping. Opt for a gentle, hydrating milk or cream formula.
  2. Hydrate and Moisturize: Dermaplaning is an exfoliating treatment, so you’re going to want to give your skin plenty of hydration afterward. After you finish dermaplaning, treat any nicks by dabbing on a protective layer of Vaseline. Then, follow up with a moisturizer. One with hyaluronic acid is especially good for water retention, helping your skin look bright and plump. If you have especially dry skin, pamper your face with a thick moisturizer like the Curology Cream Moisturizer. For the final step, apply a small amount of our non-greasy Facial Hydration Serum to your fingertips and massage over your face. Our serum helps your skin feel refreshed and gets you glowing. It’s made with niacinamide, witch hazel and hyaluronic acid, and made without fragrance, dye, sulfates or parabens.
  3. Apply Sunscreen: Sunscreen is your best defense against skin damage from UV rays. Use it whenever you leave the house, especially after cosmetic treatments that make your skin vulnerable, like dermaplaning. Exfoliating treatments like dermaplaning can increase sun sensitivity, so be sure to wear sunscreen and practice sun avoidance.

What to Avoid After Dermaplaning

  • Avoid Harsh Products: Laying off chemical and physical exfoliators for a while could be another good idea, especially if your skin is feeling sensitive. In the days after your facial, keep your use of serums and other skincare products simple. Harsh skincare products, such as retinoids or glycolic acids, can irritate the skin after dermaplaning.
  • Avoid Makeup: You’ll want to avoid wearing makeup for at least 24 hours after dermaplaning. Touching your face can introduce bacteria to the skin and cause irritation.
  • Avoid Sun Exposure: Ultraviolet rays are particularly harsh on the newly resurfaced skin after dermaplaning. Avoid it for the first several days, and if you must go out, wear an SPF, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses. It’s important to avoid direct sun exposure after dermaplaning. This can irritate the skin and cause redness and swelling.
  • Avoid Chlorinated Water: Chlorine can additionally dry out sensitive skin after dermaplaning. Chlorinated water can dry out and irritate the skin. So, it’s best to avoid swimming in pools or other bodies of chlorinated water for at least 24 hours after dermaplaning.
  • Avoid Hot Water: The skin is very sensitive after dermaplaning. Hot water can irritate and additionally dry it out. Hot water can strip the natural oils from your skin, leaving it feeling dry and irritated. So, avoid using hot water when cleansing your face or taking a shower.
  • Avoid Alcohol: Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol, which dehydrates skin.
  • Avoid unnecessary steps: Skip any unnecessary steps like toners or chemical exfoliants.

Additional Tips for Post-Dermaplaning Care

  • Hydrate from Within: The other important factor is hydrating your body from within. Drinking plenty of water helps to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out.
  • Get Enough Sleep: Always aim at getting seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep during the night, especially after a cosmetic treatment when your skin needs more attention and nurturing.
  • Avoid Touching Your Face: Your skin after dermaplaning is raw, sensitive, and prone to infections from impurities and bacteria. Touching your face can introduce bacteria to the skin and cause irritation.
  • Relax and De-stress: Taking some time to relax and de-stress can do wonders for your skin.

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