By Kendall Farr, Licensed Esthetician, SPADA Skincare
‘Dermaplaning’ is a beauty buzzword right now as women discover this ‘new’ approach to hair removal, skin exfoliation and skin rejuvenation. Touted by celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Eva Longoria as their go-to before the red carpet, dermaplane is currently taking TikTok by storm – the term has 3.8 billion views and counting -which is not to say that it’s another short-lived social media trend. In fact, dermaplaning is a treatment as old as ancient Egypt where women removed their dead skin and facial hair using sharpened blades made from bronze. Victorian women loved what was then called ‘face leveling’ which utilized a blade to smooth the skin’s surface, and Old Hollywood starlets like Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe were devoted face shavers. As dermaplaning is having yet another turn in the beauty spotlight, here’s everything you need to know about this gentle and very effective treatment.
What is Dermaplaning Exactly?
In essence, It’s face shaving. Dermaplaning employs a stainless scalpel blade crafted specifically to remove peach fuzz ( known as vellus hairs) and dead cells on your skin’s surface. The blade clicks tightly onto a sturdy handle and is then moved gently, at a 45-degree angle against your hair growth. Think exfoliation on steroids. Along with your facial hair – and we’re talking about even the most imperceptible facial hairs- the blade also removes dead skin, dead cells, and any pore clogging dirt and oil from the skin’s barrier.
Peach fuzz makes it difficult to apply makeup evenly. And it prevents light from bouncing off your skin so it doesn’t appear as glowing or youthful as you’d like. Regular dermaplaning is an ideal way to keep your skin smooth and glowy. And remember, a smooth surface creates an ideal canvas. Moisturizers can deeply penetrate the skin and makeup glides on. After a dermaplane, bring on your most effective hydration like a hyaluronic acid serum to plump up your skin.
Dermaplaning is Cell Communicating
It’s true. This process talks to our cells. When the blade is moved over your skin, the light surface scratching is interpreted by your skin cells as a wounding. This then sends an SOS to your fibroblastic cells (these are the cells that make the collagen and elastin that keep skin looking firm and plump) that your skin is being injured. The alarm sends your collagen production into hyper drive as a protection. This response can have a smoothing effect on fine lines and even deeper lines.
How Often Should You Dermaplane?
Sync up your dermaplaning appointments with your skin cell cycles. Roughly every 30 days, our skin has produced fresh new cells. Consistent exfoliation like dermaplaning does wonders for your skin as it removes a month’s worth of peach fuzz and dead skin from your face and neck. It’s the buildup of ‘the dead, dry stuff’ that causes skin to look dull and well, older.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Dermaplane is suitable for most skin types. Whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin, your esthetician will tailor the treatment for your complexion needs. This painless procedure requires little to no downtime.
PRO TIP:
If you have hesitated to try dermaplaning out of concern that it will change your hair, it doesn’t. Dermaplane will not cause your hair to return thicker or darker. Your hair will grow back exactly the same color and texture as before.
So Is Dermaplane Different Than Shaving at Home With A Razor?
It’s different. A bulletin for DIY-ers – dermaplane is best left to the professionals. At home shaving offers only a minimal level of hair removal because blades for at home use cannot be sold with the precision ( thin-edged sharpness) of a professional scalpel. Often the applied pressure of an at-home shaver causes more irritation than hair removal.
Dermaplaning supercharges a facial. You’ll experience the difference with products formulated for hydration, plumping, lifting, and smoothing as they are noticeably more effective and more deeply absorbed into the skin. Book dermaplane as the first step for your next facial.