Dermaplaning: 5 Facts You Need To Know

Dermaplaning, which sometimes people refer to as dermaplane treatment or even derma planning, is a simple and safe procedure that is ideal for those with drier skin as well as those who wish to painlessly remove facial hair. Here’s a quick look at the process and a few facts about dermaplaning that might help you decide if it’s a good option for you.

The Treatment Process

With dermaplaning, we scrape away dead skin and facial hairs using a surgical scalpel. The procedure takes less than an hour, and is completely painless and many of our patients find the whole process quite relaxing.

Once we’ve completed the treatment, you’ll notice an immediate improvement in the way your skin looks and feels, and the results of the treatment can last up to three or four weeks. Occasionally, a few clients will have some swelling or minor redness, but this typically clears up within 24 hours.

While there are at-home dermaplaning kits, these aren’t highly recommended. Our technicians use a very sharp scalpel and special lighting, as well as their own expertise, to remove every hair and speck of dead skin, which is difficult and possibly dangerous to complete at home.

Also, contrary to popular belief, your facial hair will not grow back thicker or darker after a dermaplane treatment. This is something we hear again and again, and while the hair will return, there should be absolutely no noticeable change in thickness or hue.

1. Dermaplaning Can Be A Great Option For Most People

While dermaplaning is ideal for those with dry skin, it truly can be an excellent exfoliating option for any skin type. We find that this can be a fantastic option for clients that tend to experience breakouts or reactions after waxing treatments. Additionally, this can be an excellent option for pregnant women who wish to have an exfoliating treatment without the use of any chemicals.

The only caveat is that because we do use a surgical scalpel, it’s not recommend for those experiencing an acne breakout. If acne is a chronic issue for you, we can recommend other treatments to help you restore your skin and clear up that complexion, but you should wait until your breakouts clear up before scheduling dermaplaning.

2. Your Makeup Routine Will Improve

Aside from the softness and radiance dermaplaning can provide, our clients rave about how easy it is to apply makeup after this procedure. Makeup goes on much more smoothly and absorbs better when you remove that dead skin and hair.

3. Don’t Forget Your SPF

After we finish your procedure, we apply a layer of sunscreen to protect this fresh skin. But it’s crucial that the client applies sunscreen to their face after this treatment because once we’ve removed the dead skin, it’s easier for UVA and UVB rays to penetrate the dermis, or the top layer of skin.

We highly recommend that all of our clients, regardless of any dermaplaning treatments, wear a foundation or CC cream with broad-spectrum coverage. Broad spectrum means that the sunscreen protects the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. This is crucial because while UVB rays cause the skin to burn more quickly, UVA rays actually penetrate more deeply into the skin’s layers.

If you don’t use a foundation, BB cream or CC cream, you can use a moisturizer with sunscreen. Again, just make sure that it has broad spectrum coverage so that you block both of those harmful rays.

4. Keep Your Skin Dry

For the first eight or 10 hours after your dermaplaning procedure, it is recommended that you don’t get your face wet. So you might want to skip your nighttime skin regimen for that first evening, unless you have the procedure completed very early in the day. Additionally, it’s best to avoid exercise for about 24 hours, as well as a soak in the tub or a hot tub or sauna.

5. Avoid Exfoliating Products

For the first day or so after dermaplaning, it also is recommended that you avoid any exfoliating products, such as those that might include glycolic acid, salicylic acid, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, etc.

At Thaxton, we offer dermaplaning treatments as well as many other exfoliating and facial treatments, including chemabrasion, chemical peels, microdermabrasion and full facials. Additionally, we provide a host of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures for clients throughout the Charleston area.

If you have any questions about dermaplaning or wish to schedule an appointment, give us a call at any time.