I get a LOT of questions regarding dermaplaning.
Does it hurt?
Will my hair grow back thick?
Can't I just use an eyebrow razor at home for the same effect?
What is it?
Dermaplaning is a mechanical form of exfoliation used in spas. We are using a very sharp, medical grade blade, gently scraping against your skin to remove dead skin and peach fuzz. What does it do? This service removes the top layer of skin, much like microdermabrasion does, but because it's using a blade, it also removes peach fuzz off the face simultaneously.
Now, while it does remove peach fuzz, it's not to be used to solely remove hair, it's just an added benefit. If you want a completely hairless face, I recommend a full face sugaring service or waxing service. For hormonal hair growth, such as those living with PCOS, where it's more of a male pattern hair growth, it will act like a shave, but it will depend on how much hair you have, if we can do the service or not. If you have a lot of thick hair growth, sometimes it can be an uncomfortable service, so it's recommended to possibly wax or sugar those hairs a few days before getting a dermaplaning service.
Does it hurt?
Nope! I personally use an oil before I dermaplane which creates a smoother surface and less resistance for the blade to glide along. It makes for a much more comfortable service and less irritation. Now, there is always a risk you can get a nick or a scrape as it's a sharp blade near your face, but you usually wouldn't feel it. When that does happen, I apply a thick clay mask to the area to stop any bleeding and continue with the service. At the end, I check the area and usually by then, there's no bleeding and it's healing up already. It's a very comfortable service, in fact, many clients are close to falling asleep.
Will my hair grow back thicker?
Well, this is the biggest question I get asked and with good reason. No one wants thicker hair right? In order for your hair to grow back thicker, it would require the addition of hormones in your system. What the service does to the hair is cuts off the hair at the surface much like shaving. You know how when you shave, you have a blunt end to your hairs now. Well, blunt hair always feels thicker because our hair is supposed to taper at the end and that taper feels smooth and soft, but when cut off to a blunt end, it's a thicker part of that hair shaft and it's not tapered to a smooth end, so you feel it. Same with this service. As the hair on your face continues to grow, you will feel the hair kind of like the skin of a peach. Hair first grows outward and then lays down, so you'll feel it more at first than later on. I personally dermaplane my face about every month, so I can tell you, it's not thicker and mind you, I am latina and have ALL the hair, everywhere, so I can attest to the face that it doesn't.
Can I just use an eyebrow razor to get the same effect?
Okay...storytime. I tried this before I took my Dermaplaning course and I thought, hm it does the same thing, I'm seeing some dead skin flakes and hair. Once I took my course I realized how wrong I was.
It DOES NOT do the same thing. While you can get some dead skin and hair, it's very superficial. The dermaplaning service removes A TON of dead skin and hair and the eyebrow razor doesn't even come close by a little bit. The eyebrow razor is pretty dull and for good reason, we don't want everyone to be using scalpel blades on themselves without training right?
How often should I have it done?
It's recommended to do it every 3-4 weeks for best results.
Now, let's talk a bit about who it's good for and who it's not good for. It's honestly great for just about everyone and all skin types. Unlike microdermabrasion which uses suction along with exfoliation, dermaplaning doesn't which makes it great for those with sensitive skin or who have issues like broken capillaries or rosacea. If you are currently having active, inflamed acne breakouts, skin cancer, active cold sores, uncontrolled diabetes, dermatitis, open skin lesions or using Accutane currently or in the past six months and/or prescription retinol within a week of treatment, you want to avoid this treatment.
This is one of my favorite services to offer because almost anyone can get it and it's gentle. It's also amazing for those who wear makeup, because your makeup goes on so smoothly, it's beautiful!
It's a favorite for brides!
Try it out! You can always add it on to a facial or do just the dermaplaning facial.
Do you have any questions about dermaplaning?
Ask them below!