What to Expect from a Dermaplaning Facial

If you follow the latest in skin-care trends, you're probably aware of the popular professional procedure that promises to leave the skin smooth and glowing by removing dead skin cells AND unwanted facial hair (so long, peach fuzz). 

My skin is really dry and my aesthetician recommended dermaplaning with my normal facial that I get every 6-8 weeks. She said removing the dry dead skin will allow all the moisturizing products used during the facial to increase hydration and I’ll see less dry itchy skin between appointments. 

I asked how often other clients used this technique. It all depends on their skin type; some monthly without a facial, while some will do the procedure with a facial others will alternate one month facial the next month dermaplaning. 

How does dermaplaning work? Dermaplaning is performed on the face, under the chin, and on the sides of the neck. It is quick and painless. After properly cleansing and prepping the skin, a trained aesthetician or skin-care professional holds the skin taut and uses a 10-gauge scalpel held at a 45-degree angle to gently exfoliate the skin by scraping off the top layer of dead cells. This procedure also removes vellus hair (commonly referred to as peach fuzz). 

An aesthetician might also often combine dermaplaning with a salicylic, lactic, or glycolic acid peel (depending on your skin type) to enhance the treatment's exfoliation. Or a Dermaplaning itself is a physical exfoliation; combining it with a chemical peel helps reduce acne scars, brown spots from sun damage, and clogged pores. On its own, the cost ranges from $55, but with a facial around $120. Combing with a peel, it'll run you about $150 to $200. Typically, a cooling and hydrating mask will be applied following the treatment, which is intended to calm and soothe the skin. 

What skin types benefit from dermaplaning? Nearly all skin types can benefit from dermaplaning, as long as there are no severe pustular or cystic breakouts going on. People with thin, easily irritated skin should avoid dermaplaning with a peel, which is probably just too much exfoliation. 

Dermaplaning will help reduce the appearance of acne scars, remove peach fuzz and leave the skin smooth and glowing. Plus, there is no recovery time. You have the procedure and are ready to return to your day. Who wouldn’t want that? 

Will dermaplaning cause the hair on my face to grow back thicker? Many people are under the impression that shaving hair causes it to grow back thicker and darker, but that is actually not the case. Dermaplaning will not cause the vellus hair on your face to grow back thicker or darker. Re-growth after shaving may feel slightly different because the hair has been cut straight across. However, if shaving (or dermaplaning) actually made hair growth back thicker and darker, I believe we would have just discovered a cure for male baldness. 

How often should I get dermaplaning done. An aesthetician will help you figure out a schedule. Each time you get dermaplaned, you're removing about two to three weeks' worth of dead skin cells. I’ll let you know how mine goes. Maybe I’ll even let her take before and after pictures.