Your Dermaplaning 411: The Face-Shaving Treatment for Glowing Skin

When it comes to crazy beauty treatments, face shaving certainly sounds like one of the most extreme. However, face shaving — known as dermaplaning in cosmetic clinics — is in fact a safe and pain-free exfoliation treatment that guarantees a luminous complexion. To understand more about this treatment, we quizzed Harley Street Aesthetic’s David Jack, MBChB, for all the info.

What is dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning, also known as “skin scraping,” is a technique of skin exfoliation using a surgical scalpel blade. It removes part of the upper layer of dead cells on the surface of the skin (the epidermis) with the additional benefit of removing fine vellus hairs (otherwise known as peach fuzz).

How does dermaplaning improve the skin?

As an effective exfoliation technique, it improves the surface texture and appearance of the skin by removing some of the dull upper layers of the skin. It also removes the fine hairs from the skin of the face to give a more “polished” appearance. By removing the top layers of dead cells, it allows skincare products to penetrate deeper into the skin and increases their effectiveness.

How does dermaplaning differ from microdermabrasion?

Both techniques are trying to do the same thing, but microdermabrasion uses fine diamond or other hard chips to cause abrasion as opposed to dermaplaning, which uses an extremely sharp, laser-cut blade. While microdermabrasion does remove some of the layers of dead cells, at a microscopic level, you can see that it causes scratches and more irritation than dermaplaning.

What skin type benefits the most from dermaplanning?

All skin types will benefit, but particularly those with dull skin can benefit from skin turnover.

Is dermaplanning painful?

It is not painful in the slightest. In fact, I’ve had patients who’ve fallen asleep during a dermaplaning treatment.

Are the any side effects with a dermaplanning treatment?

Side effects are very rare and are generally limited to a little redness or very mild dryness directly after the procedure. If it is done in combination with a peel, then the dryness can be more significant, depending on the acid used. There is no risk of the hairs growing back thicker or darker as the hair follicles are not affected by the procedure.

Is there any downtime after dermaplanning?

There is generally very little, and often no, downtime. If it is done in combination with a skin peel, the redness and dryness can last for a little longer.

How long do the results last?

Usually the results would last for around six weeks.

Do you need a series of dermaplaning treatments or just one?

Generally I recommend doing a treatment every six weeks (the length of one skin cycle).

What skincare should you use after a dermaplaning treatment?

Anything active and anti-aging. After dermaplaning is the perfect time to introduce active skincare products, such as Vitamin C serums or retinol, into your skincare regime. SPF, as always, is essential. I always recommend SPF 30 or above, but SPF 50 is ideal.

This article was originally written by Elizabeth Bennett. For more, check out our sister site, Grazia.

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