Dermaplaning
Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is a procedure where a dermatome tool is used to exfoliate facial skin and remove dead skin cells and vellus hair (peach fuzz). Once removed, a smoother skin and brighter complexion is revealed. The treatment helps to clean your skin, so that your daily skin care products can work even more effectively.

Dermaplaning is most effective on areas of the face and neck. The forehead, cheeks, chin, nose and neck are candidate areas that could benefit from dermaplaning. It can be used on any type of skin including acne scars, dull skin, dry skin, sun-damaged skin, fine wrinkles, and more.

The procedure, which requires no anesthetic, involves holding your skin firmly while gently moving the blade across your face. Our licensed aestheticians will use a small, sterile exfoliation scalpel to exfoliate top layers of skin and gently scrape off the top layer of dulling dead skin cells.

While dermaplaning does remove vellus hair, it also exfoliates the facial skin giving it a smoother, rejuvenated texture. Many patients enjoy a more youthful, relaxed appearance. The treatment also helps to clean your skin, so that your daily skin care products can work even more effectively.

Some dermaplaning results are visible immediately after treatment. Skin texture and skin tone will improve right away. Other visible effects may take longer to see, like a reduction in wrinkles and dark spots and removal of facial hair.

It is recommended that patients begin with at least four dermaplaning sessions for best results. To maintain these results long term, it treatment sessions are recommended every four to six weeks.

After the treatment, you should expect an instant improvement in your skin texture and tone. Longer-term effects include increased cell turnover and a noticeable decrease of wrinkles and dark spots. This treatment can also reduce acne scarring, and remove fine facial hair.

Dermaplaning is essentially pain-free and involves light feathery strokes, some even consider it to feel pleasant. Many patients report that it is far less painful then other treatments like waxing or lasering.

Dermaplaning is safe for most people, and when it’s performed by a licensed medical aesthetician, there is very little risk of side effects. The procedure doesn’t require any downtime for recovery.

First, you’ll enter into a clean, comfortable room and lie down on your provider’s chair. If available, you may have the option to use a numbing spray or local anesthesia as a sedative. Once you are relaxed, your provider will use an electronic or manual dermaplaning tool to scrape over your skin at a 45-degree angle. This usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. Your provider will gently work their way across the area of concern and exfoliate the skin. After the treatment is finished, your provider will soothe your skin with a substance like aloe and sunscreen to protect your face.

Dermaplaning uses a scalpel like tool, while microdermabrasion is done with a small electrical device. Microdermabrasion works by spraying exfoliant on the skin while simultaneously sucking away debris. Dermaplaning works by manually removing the top layer and also removing the peach fuzz and revealing the smoother, rejuvenated layer underneath.

You can prepare for dermaplaning treatment by discussing your medical history, skin type and coloring, and skin concerns with your provider. If you have active acne, you’ll need to time your treatment correctly to make sure it is not during a flare up, as this could cause further damage by irritating the skin. Be sure to avoid direct sun exposure in the days leading up to your appointment.

While dermaplaning is a low-risk procedure, there are possible side effects. The most common side effect is a slight redness in your face in the hours after getting the treatment. Other less common side effects include whiteheads, infection, scarring, and patchy skin pigment.

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