What Are the Benefits of Dermaplaning and How Do You Know If It’s the Right Procedure for You?
Are you dreaming about having youthful, glowing skin again? Wouldn’t you jump at the chance to take years off your face in just 45 minutes or less?
If so, you’re not alone.
Many people are looking for a way to have smoother, healthier skin, and we have good news.
It’s called Dermaplaning. And while it's not a new procedure, it certainly is gaining in popularity as people all over the world are taking to the internet to rave about their results.
So, what exactly are the benefits of dermaplaning anyway?
In this post, we’ll discuss both the short and long-term benefits of dermaplaning, and we’ll also squash any myths you may have heard about the non-invasive procedure that you’re sure to love.
Table of Contents
Dermaplaning: What Does the Procedure Involve?
Before we get into the benefits of dermaplaning, let’s take a quick look at what the procedure involves.
Using a medical-grade surgical blade that is angled at 45 degrees, a dermatologist will use short strokes to remove the surface layer of hair, dirt, and dead skin. A single session can remove up to 3 weeks of built-up dirt and dead skin cells.
The procedure resembles shaving, however, the feather-light stroking technique and precision angling ensure that no damage is caused to the skin.
Are you thinking about dermaplaning and whether it’s the right procedure for you?
Contact Barnett Dermatology in Boca Raton to schedule your skin consultation and speak to one of our board-certified dermatologists.
What Are the Benefits of Dermaplaning?
The main benefits of dermaplaning include:
Removing facial hair
Exfoliating the skin
Flawless makeup application
Completely painless
Zero recovery time
But, it goes beyond these main talking points. The benefits of dermaplaning are many, and we list them all below.
6 Short-Term Benefits of Dermaplaning
#1: You’ll See Immediate Results
One of the benefits of dermaplaning that has people coming back for multiple treatments is the immediate results.
Your face will instantly appear brighter and more youthful after the treatment because of the removal of facial hair (called peach fuzz by many) and dead skin cells.
Our skin is exposed to free radicals daily, including ...
Toxins
UV rays
Irritants
And more
… which becomes especially true for anyone walking or taking public transit, or spending too much time in the sun.
The dermatologist will gently scrape that layer of damaged skin off your face, leaving your face looking fresher and younger.
#2: It’s a Quick Procedure
Dermaplaning is also an incredibly quick procedure that can be done during your lunch hour.
The entire process only takes 30-45 minutes. With zero downtime or recovery required, you can …
Get the procedure
Freshen up your makeup; and
Head back to work
… without missing a beat. Who doesn’t love the idea of taking 10 years off in less than an hour?
#3: Make-Up Application Looks Better
Many people opt for a dermaplaning session in advance of a special occasion because makeup goes on much smoother after the procedure.
Without any …
Hairs
Debris; or
Layers of dead skin
… your skin will absorb the makeup pigments and your makeup will go on crease-free.
#4: It’s Low Risk
As long as the procedure is done by a dermatologist, then it’s entirely risk-free. Not only that, but it’s suitable for almost any skin type.
Dry skin responds the best to dermaplaning, but any type of skin will benefit from the procedure.
You can expect some mild redness, but that will only last a day or two.
#5: It Triggers Skin Cell Regrowth
Dermaplaning exfoliates the skin.
Patients with uneven skin tones or dry skin benefit from dermaplaning because the procedure removes the cracked epidermis.
By doing this, your facial skin cells begin to regrow, while also allowing better absorption of moisturizers and serums.
In addition to skin cell regrowth, the exfoliation can also help reduce some types of acne scarring and make you less prone to future acne breakouts.
#6: It Requires No Downtime
Life is busy.
Making time for cosmetic surgery may be impossible for some people.
Dermaplaning is not only a quick and painless procedure, but you can get back to your regular activities immediately following your session.
4 Long-Term Benefits of Dermaplaning
#1: No Chemical Use Involved
Chemicals can cause trauma to the skin. In addition, chemical peels can cause infection and scarring when not done properly.
Dermaplaning is a non-invasive, mild treatment that does not require the use of chemicals.
#2: It Reduces the Look of Pore Size
One of the other long-term benefits of dermaplaning is the appearance of reduced pores.
The openings where hair grows on your face are known as the pores. They can get clogged up with oil and dirt, which expands their size.
And since dermaplaning is an exfoliating process, your pores will reduce in size with the removal of dirt and oil.
#3: It Reduces the Appearance of Wrinkles
Dead skin, dirt, and oil can sit in the creases or wrinkles on your face, making them appear deeper than they are.
When the dermatologist sloughs the dead skin, hair, and dirt from your face, it will reduce the appearance of wrinkles as well.
And especially if you wear makeup, since there will be no creases for the makeup to settle in, your skin will appear flawlessly smooth.
#4: It Minimizes Future Acne Breakouts
Dermaplaning is not recommended for anyone with active, pustular, or cystic acne, but if you’ve suffered from acne in the past and aren’t having an active breakout, then dermaplaning can help.
Dermaplaning reduces acne-causing bacteria buildup on the surface of your skin and unclogs pores by removing vellus hair and dead skin cells.
Without this layer of bacteria and dead skin, your acne treatments will prove more effective because they can easily penetrate the skin.
Lastly, the benefits of dermaplaning for acne aren’t limited to future breakouts. The procedure will:
Even out your skin tone
Lighten post-inflammatory redness; and
Reduce the appearance of scars
Are There Any Downsides to Dermaplaning?
With all of these benefits, there must be some downside to dermaplaning, right?
The truth is, dermaplaning is:
Risk-free
Pain-free; and
Completely non-invasive
The recovery time is zero and the results are stunning.
The only real downside is that the procedure isn’t permanent. In about three weeks to a month, your results will have faded, and you’ll likely want to go back for another treatment.
If you still have questions about dermaplaning or any other cosmetic procedures, Dr. Channing Barnett is the leading expert in Boca Raton and can put to rest any concerns you may have. Give us a call at Barnett Dermatology to schedule your consultation today.
Are There Any Benefits to Dermaplaning at Home?
The only benefit to dermaplaning at home is convenience. If, for any reason, you cannot make an appointment to see a dermatologist, you can purchase at-home kits. But, there’s a difference.
The blade used by a professional is more rounded, and the treatment is more aggressive than you should ever attempt at home.
A professional will know the exact pressure and angle to use to ensure the best results without the risk of trauma to the skin.
If you are inexperienced, you should always go with the grain of the hair (not against) and use a single-blade razor. Although you won’t achieve the same results as a dermatologist would, you’ll greatly reduce the risk of nicking or traumatizing the skin.
It’s also important to remember that you should never attempt this procedure on skin that has ...
Open sores
Active acne; or
Inflammation
… caused by rosacea or other skin conditions.
5 Dermaplaning Myths
#1: Your Peach Fuzz Grows Back Thicker and Darker
This is a common myth about shaving. We’ve been told our whole lives that shaving the hair from our armpits, legs, bikini line, etc. will result in thicker, darker hair growing back.
This isn’t the case. While hair does grow back with a blunt tip, the hair itself is not physically thicker.
The process of dermaplaning is similar to shaving in that a blade is used to remove the peach fuzz (called vellus hair), which is so thin and fine that removing it leaves no impact on the thickness of the hair.
Your skin will appear brighter, younger-looking, and smoother, but the hair will not grow back thicker.
#2: It’s a Painful Procedure
The idea of taking a scalpel to your skin can seem daunting. Surely, that must be painful … right?
It’s simply not true.
Compared to other hair removal techniques, such as waxing or threading, dermaplaning feels more like a tickle rather than a pull on the hair.
While irritation can occur in the days that follow, causing some pain, this is an uncommon side effect of the procedure.
#3: It’s Time Consuming
Depending on who you’re talking to, 30 minutes once per month isn’t a long time. In fact, it’s one of the quicker cosmetic procedures.
Any procedure that can be done on your lunch hour, and that provides results for up to four weeks, isn’t generally considered time-consuming.
#4: It Isn’t Effective on Darker Skin
Certain exfoliation methods, such as scrubs, may not be recommended for dark skin, but dermaplaning is not one of them.
Dermaplaning is safe for all shades and types of skin because it doesn’t cause microabrasions on the skin as a scrub would.
In fact, the benefit of dermaplaning on darker skin is that it removes the dark hair which dulls the appearance of the skin, leaving it brighter and more youthful-looking.
#5: It Will Cause Acne Breakouts
While we’ve already touched on this above, we do think it’s important to put this rumor to bed once and for all.
Let us stress that dermaplaning should not be performed on anyone who is experiencing an active acne breakout on their face.
But, when used between breakouts and as a preventative measure, it can reduce the risk of future breakouts.
How?
Dermaplaning removes dead skin cells that could otherwise get trapped in your pores, which can lead to infection followed by acne.
The exfoliation process also makes your skin more receptive to acne treatments, allowing them to penetrate deeper to prevent further breakouts.
Contact Barnett Dermatology for More Information About the Benefits of Dermaplaning
Are you considering dermaplaning or do you have more questions about the benefits of dermaplaning?
Or maybe you’d like to learn more about some of our other cosmetic procedures.
If so, the board-certified, experienced dermatologists at Barnett Dermatology can help you understand exactly what to expect during and after the procedure.
To learn more about dermaplaning, call us today for your free consultation.
