Yes, I shave my face: Let’s talk about Dermaplaning

The *buzz* is REAL with this one, y’all. Dermaplaning has quickly become one of the most sought-after treatments over the last year. I personally have experimented with the treatment many times, with many different providers and have certainly formed my own opinion. Before we jump into my *personal* opinion, lets establish some basic information about the treatment.

What is Dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is a manual exfoliation treatment, usually preformed by esteticians or other beauty/medical professionals in a spa setting. It is preformed with a medical grade, sterile scalpel held at a 45 degree angle away from the face. The scalpel essentially is used to scrape off the top few layers of dead skin, as well as the tiny vellous hairs (aka-peach fuzz). It is often combined with other treatments such as chemical peels or hydrafacials to maximize the effectiveness of both treatments. Since it’s a fairly gentle procedure that doesn’t involve any strong products, it tends to be a great treatment for those with more sensitive skin.

How does it work?

The beauty of this treatment is in the simplicity of it. You’re essentially having your face professionally shaved. Dermaplaning removes the top layers of dull, dry skin that can cause breakouts or lifeless looking skin. Since you are removing the top layer of dead gunk, your skincare products will also penetrate better, and possibly be even more effective.

Who can do it?

Anyone! It’s one of the safest, simplest treatments you can get. If you have severe rosacea/inflammation, or active acne lesions, I’d steer clear though.

How much does it cost?

This question is almost entirely dependent on where you go and where you live. In Knoxville, TN I’ve seen the price of the treatment vary widely: from $50 to over $100. Some spas offer it as an add-on treatment to other services at a discounted rate, and others offer it as a stand-alone treatment for a relatively affordable price. If you see the treatment in the higher $$ range, check out what else is included in the service: many times the price also includes a mini-facial, instead of just cleansing and performing the treatment.

Will it make my hair grow back darker/thicker?

Nope! I was worried about this too, at first, but I never noticed any change in my facial hair. The only thing you may notice is that the end of the hair is “blunt” instead of tapered like it would be if it wasn’t shaved (just like with your leg hair).

Does it hurt?

Nope! Since you are just removing dead skin, it’s pain-free. Just like shaving your legs or underarms.

How often can I get dermaplaned?

If you are getting a professional treatment, you can get them monthly. If you’re doing them at-home (not as intense) you can get away with twice a month, or possibly weekly, depending on your skin sensitivity.

What do I do after the treatment?

You’ve got fresh baby skin exposed now, so you’ll want to be diligent about sun protection. Wear a hat, and at least SPF 30 if you plan to be in the sunshine. If you are a newbie to the treatment, I’d keep your skincare routine very simple and stick to very hydrating, nourishing products, and stay away from anything potentially irritating (frangrance, scrubs, acids, and active ingredients like retinol or vitamin c).

My experience with Dermaplaning

The first time I ever tried dermaplaning, I paired it with a hydrafacial. It left my skin GLOWING and baby-smooth. It’s also a relatively quick treatment, that doesn’t leave your face looking crazy afterwards, so you could easily do the treatment during your lunch break (as long as you don’t mind going back to work without make-up on).

One of the most surprising benefits of the treatment was how flawless it made the next days make-up application. I swear my foundation never looked so good! I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed the fact that it removed the baby hairs from my face. I loved it so much, I decided I wanted to make a regular schedule of doing the treatment so I could maintain a hair-free face. But I was realizing that getting the treatment done on a regular basis really started to add up.. so I did some research. It turns out there’s a safe way to continue the results of your treatment, without having to come in as regularly and shell out the $$$.

I found several types of dispozable, inexpensive razors designed for use on the face on amazon. (Get them here). These razors are WAY less sharp, so they don’t remove as many layers of skin, but they do a great job of removing facial hair (no more waxing that upper lip!) and taking off the very top layer of dead skin.

My FAVORITE at-home facial routine starts with dermaplaning, followed by a gentle chemical exfoliant, and a soothing sheet mask or other hydrating mask. If you’re just starting out, it may be a little too intense for your skin to combine the chemical exfoliation with dermaplaning, but if you’ve been using acids for a while, it gives incredible results.

If you’ve never tried dermaplaning, you are seriously missing out! I’d recommend doing some research to find a good location to have it performed by a professional before ever attempting to shave your face at-home.

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Have you tried dermaplaning in a spa, or at home? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments!

As always, feel free to ask me any questions you may have about dermaplaning, or other skincare treatments!

Until next time,

Amanda Kennedy

Follow along on IG: @amandadev4

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