Have you heard of dermaplaning before? We will guess you have since you’ve landed on this blog. But what exactly is it? How invasive is the treatment, and does it involve a lot of scary needles? What are the benefits of undergoing dermaplaning? In this brief blog, we’ll cover all the pros and cons of dermaplaning and what you can expect walking into the beauty parlour.
What is dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is an exfoliating technique that removes impurities from the top layer of your skin. This layer is typically the most damaged, as it absorbs most of the sun’s rays and is also where dead skin cells and oily deposits form, resulting in blackheads or spots.
Wrinkles, scars, and other lines may form most prominently on the top layer of skin. Since our skin sheds slowly and unevenly, we don’t notice much difference when it does. But we do notice the fine lines that collect on the top layer or epidermis.
Dermaplaning removes the very top layer, including any dead skin, dirt or vellus hair (peach fuzz). This is done with a very fine medical-grade scalpel — much finer than an ordinary shave.
Does dermaplaning hurt?
You should feel no more than a slight tingling sensation, certainly less painful than waxing, which pulls hairs out at the root!
Dermaplaning is nowhere near as invasive. In fact, what you feel won’t be from the blade itself but rather the feeling of new skin touching the air for the first time.
Why does it work?
Removing the usual disruptors that clog or prevent new skin from appearing actively cleans the skin, giving it a healthy, refreshed look. Dermaplaning also aids soaps and moisturisers, which may become blocked by dead skin. Dermaplaning clears the way, making your skin cleansing technique much more effective.
As only the very top layer is removed, this process is safe to repeat every month once the very top layer of skin has grown back. Clearing away this skin also promotes healthy, new skin to grow in its place without the obstacle of greasy or clogged pores.
Some of the pros.
Here are just some of the further reasons to consider dermaplaning
- Improve your complexion. A dull complexion or rough skin can be a sign of collected dead skin cells. An exfoliating process can give a brighter, smoother and more youthful-looking appearance.
- Avoid the appearance of skin conditions. Clearing the skin of problem areas helps reduce acne and pockmarks, often resulting from greasy or clogged skin build-ups.
- Better skin-care routines. Clearing away the top layer of skin can help other beauty treatments increase their effectiveness by removing obstacles that normally prevent the skin from being properly nourished or hydrated.
- Safe for most skin types. Unlike certain creams or lotions that can irritate the skin, dermaplaning doesn’t harm the skin. In fact, using a sterilised scalpel, dermaplaning can often help prevent infections from becoming a possibility.
Some things to consider.
There are some things worth noting about dermaplaning before you go in to help set your expectations.
- The results won’t last forever. Over time, your skin will continue to collect dead cells, grow vellus hair and trap dirt. This means the effects will be most noticeable for the first two weeks to a month after your treatment until the top layer of your skin reforms.
However, there’s no limit to the number of times you can get dermaplaning, providing you leave a window of roughly a month between treatments.
- Dermaplaning doesn’t solve all conditions. Because dermaplaning works only on the top layer of skin, it won’t clear any conditions that go deeper past the epidermis through the dermis levels. So, whilst removing greasy or dirty skin layers can help promote clearer skin, it won’t necessarily heal over conditions such as active and cystic acne, cold sores, rosacea, psoriasis or eczema.
We recommend discussing other solutions or finding a deep cleansing face scrub treatment with your local chemist.
- Particularly sensitive skin. There’s no invasive treatment involved with dermaplaning, but if you have overly sensitive skin, you might notice some slight soreness or redness.
Other things to note.
- Hair regrowth. Contrary to what you might think, dermaplaning doesn’t result in hair growing any thicker after a treatment.
- Aggravated skin. Dermaplaning won’t aggravate your skin or existing acne scars. Rather, as a careful removal of impurities from the top layer of skin, dermaplaning can help reduce the number of skin conditions.
- Skincare follow-ups. Leaving your dermaplaning session, your beautician should talk to you about follow-up treatments and things to avoid, such as swimming within 24 hours of your session or further exfoliating techniques within the next week. However, combining your dermaplaning session with another treatment, including any facial or chemical peel, is perfectly fine. Talk to your beautician first if you’re unsure.
So there you have it — everything you need to know about dermaplaning going in. If you have any more questions, please get in touch with us at The Beauty Parlour. Or, if you’re feeling ready to begin your dermaplaning session, you can book your treatment here.