What is Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning is a safe and highly effective physical exfoliation procedure.  It requires the use of a sterile, surgical scalpel to gently "shave" the skin's surface, removing the top-most layer of dead skin along with fine, vellus hair (aka peach fuzz).  The procedure can be performed monthly, in less than thirty minutes, with no downtime post-treatment.

Benefits

  • Removes vellus hair
  • Removes top layer of dead skin cells
  • Improving product penetration
  • Makeup going on smoother
  • Preps the skin for other treatments

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Some of the key benefits of dermaplaning include:
  • Helps exfoliate the skin with broken capillaries
  • Offers better results than traditional microdermabrasion
  • Little downtime
  • Skin is only slightly red and puffy after the treatment
  • Can temporarily remove fine, downy hair with ease
  • Performed just like shaving
  • Can be performed with a chemical peel

Cons

People with very sensitive skin may not be a good candidate for this procedure, because it is among the more aggressive skin exfoliation and rejuvenation treatments available.  The skin may peel naturally after the procedure, especially if you are undergoing the treatment every two to three weeks.  This means you will need to use an emollient-rich moisturizer day and night as the peeling process begins, and ensure that the skin does not get too dry.

Dermaplaning is not designed for people with acne or those who experience frequent breakouts, because it can trigger over activity of the sebaceous glands.  When someone has acne, they need their vellus hairs to expunge the oil that typically builds up under the skin.  If the vellus hairs are removed because of the dermaplaning procedure, the individual may experience more breakouts and even more severe acne. 

Myths

Will my hair grow back thicker, darker and coarser?

No, dermaplaning (using a blade to remove superficial skin cells and hair on the surface of the skin) will not cause increased hair growth.  This procedure does not at all effect the hair cycle, which is regulated by cells deep within each hair follicle.  Hair that has been exposed to "the elements" (ultraviolet rays from the sun), chemicals in our skincare products, etc. may seem thinner/less coarse that comprising the "stubble" that you notice soon after shaving or dermaplaning.  However, the individual hairs are still growing at the same rate and thickness as they would have before you shaved them since, again, you have not affected the cells deeper within the follicle that dictate the length of the hair cycle and the thickness of the individual hairs. 

How often can I get dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning removed about 2-3 weeks of dead skin cells, so in order for your skin to complete its normal skin cycle (approximately 30 days), the treatments should be done about once a month.

General Consent Form

I ask that each client sign a general consent form.  Scraping, nicks and small cuts in the skin are "possible," and can cause slight bleeding like that of a paper cut, or a pinpoint bleeding.  If this occurs, I will be sure to apply an antibacterial ointment on area and note it on your chart.