Out of the Ordinary Skincare: Dermaplaning

As a woman, the idea of shaving your face with an itty bitty razor may sound like the stuff of nightmares, but dermaplaning is an effective (and honestly, kinda addictive) exfoliating treatment.

It’s even backed by dermatologists! That’s because it sheds dead skin and unwanted hair, leaving you with a smooth, soft face and a better palette for makeup and beauty products.

I mean, peaches are in season, but peach fuzz really isn’t my jam. And I am pach fuzzy for sure!

So next up in our Out of the Ordinary Skincare Series is everything you need to know about how to bring this simple yet sophisticated in-office procedure into your bathroom beauty retreat. And I’m dispelling a few myths along the way!

What’s The Point of Dermaplaning?

First off, dermaplaning is not “shaving for women”. There’s much more to it than your average pink Lady Bic razor can handle. 

It’s actually a versatile beauty treatment suitable for all adults and almost every skin type, even if you have sun damage. (If you suffer from severe acne, rosacea or keratosis pilaris though, this probably isn’t for you). 

Plus, unlike chemical peels and facials, you don’t have to wait a week to witness the fruits of your labor. While your skin may be red for an hour or two after, by sunset the same day, you’ll be the one glowing, babe.  

And the benefits are ah-mazing. It can help reduce the visibility of fine lines, soften dry patches, and illuminate dull skin. And contrary to popular belief, this practice shouldn’t increase breakouts as the exfoliation helps unclog pores and hair follicles.

And if you’re worried about your little random scary hairs growing back with a vengeance, breathe easy. It will not make your hair grow back thicker or faster because the special blade used only shaves the ends from the fine vellus hairs (that ol’ peach fuzz again). Your hair will just grow back as usual.

Now, most people see a dermatologist or licensed medical aesthetician for a dermaplaning treatment. The surgical blade they utilize delivers a deeper exfoliation than the ones you can purchase without a license. Plus, spas offer additional spa treatments while you’re there to boost your results.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t practice this skin care treatment in your own humble abode. At-home dermaplaning is rising in popularity because it’s so affordable (you can find blade packs on Amazon like the ones above for as low as $5) and for the obvious social distancing benefits. 

Plus, according to Dr. David Jack, a leading London based aesthetic doctor, while repeat treatments will help you see quicker and better results, this beauty practice is pretty safe to try out once to see if you like it. 

The Process

Licensed aesthetician, and founder of Urban Skin RX, Rachel Roff suggests your DIY toolkit should at least include a quality dermaplaning tool and trusted cleanser to wash your face before starting. She even recommends double cleansing to make sure you remove all oils and dirt first.

After you’ve thoroughly cleansed and dried your skin, take your blade in one hand and hold the skin tight/taut with your opposite hand.

Starting at the jawline, gently stroke the dermaplaning tool in short, feathery like strokes upward (like you’re brushing up crumbs). Don’t go over an area more than once.

This procedure may sound painful, but it’s mostly like dry shaving. 

After you have covered your cheek and jawline area on both sides, focus on those harder to reach areas like your upper lip, chin, and nose. Repeat the process on your forehead and neck too.  

Here is an at-home video tutorial from Kerry Benjamin, licensed aesthetician and founder of Stacked Skincare, using their Dermaplaning Exfoliation Tool. This is the tool I personally use, and I LOVE it!

Soak Up Those Serums

The best part about dermaplaning is that after you finish, your skin will just drink up your products. The new layer of hidden skin allows deeper access and penetration of active, antioxidant skincare. This is a great time to pull out those fancy serums and moisturizers and the most beauty for your buck. 

So will you give this sort-of shave a try? Or do you have another out-of-the-box skin care routine we definitely need to talk about? Let me know in the comments below. 

LOVE + baby-soft skin!