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Dermaplaning At Home: Our Complete Guide

August 2, 2019 By Marla O’Sullivan Leave a Comment

We are all after smooth, hydrated and glowing skin. It creates a great canvas for makeup and increases our overall self-confidence. A good, daily skincare routine, coupled with peels, dermaplaning, or micro-dermabrasion treatments every few months can be the difference between dull or healthy and luminous skin. However, it is not always feasible or cost effective to go to your local spa, so we have found the best option for instant gratification – dermaplaning at home.

Dermaplaning, also referred to as dermablading, is a non-invasive method of skin rejuvenation that can be done at home on even the most sensitive skin types. The painless, manual exfoliation has many benefits, and we have gathered everything you need to know to decide if dermaplaning at home is right for you.

Quick Navigation
What Is DIY Dermaplaning?
Is Dermaplaning at Home Effective?
What to Expect When Dermaplaning at Home
Conclusion

What Is DIY Dermaplaning?

Before we get into the DIY aspect of dermaplaning at home, it’s best to explain what it is. Dermaplaning, also known as dermablading, is a form of exfoliation, where a sharp, 10-blade tool, similar to a scalpel, is used to exfoliate the skin on the face by gently scraping away layers of dead skin as well as fine vellus hairs, or ‘peach fuzz’. Now, you may be feeling intimidated about having a tool as sharp as a scalpel anywhere near your face, but the dermaplaning treatment is incredibly safe, pain-free and effective.

There is a reason that the sharp tool consists of at least 10-blades: It guarantees the smoothest shave possible with no irritation or abrasion to the skin. The treatment also has minimal to no downtime, meaning that you won’t have to hide your face for days on end while it recovers. Dermaplaning is also effective because the fast removal of dead skin and ‘peach fuzz’ promotes an efficient skin cell turnover which often results in the glowing and radiant complexion one seeks when doing any facial treatment.

The superficial use of the dermaplaning tool results in no nicks, cuts or lacerations, and doesn’t require any anesthesia. It’s also a fantastic alternative to a chemical peel or microdermabrasion. However, dermaplaning is not like either of the two and it has often been described as a deeper form of microdermabrasion.

While all the above-mentioned treatments resurface the skin, dermaplaning is the only one out of the three that takes off most of the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin. Microdermabrasion, for example, only takes off a portion of the upper layer of skin known as the stratum corneum, and doesn’t remove any facial hair which can detract from the overall smooth finish.

In addition to exfoliating the skin and removing fine hairs, dermaplaning has mild anti-aging benefits. The treatment’s process of scraping the skin creates subclinical (microscopic) wounds which prompt the skin to react with specific growth factors, such as fibroblasts, that stimulate collagen production. The ions in collagen then improve the skin’s overall quality and reduce wrinkles.

Dermaplaning won’t help with the removal of acne, but it is effective at eliminating blackheads and comedones because the exfoliation frees blocked glandular structures. The treatment also gives a great post-skin treatment as moisturizers and serums can effectively penetrate the layers of skin because of the deep exfoliation. Ultimately, dermaplaning will provide silky smooth skin for days and produce immediate results in skin texture and tone.

Who Is it for and How Often?

Dermaplaning is appropriate for all ages and for most skin types, and one should aim to do it once every four weeks, or at most twice a month. Any more frequently and you can risk damaging the skin, causing scarring which can have the opposite effect to what you’re after in any facial treatment.
For DIY dermaplaning at home, it’s recommended to replace your razor every couple of months.

Who Is it for and How Often?

There have been no negative side effects recorded by patients from dermaplaning. Any issues or complications that have arisen have been because of user error such as the use of a dull or dirty razor and no patch tests. It’s also understandable to read the word ‘razor’ and think of cuts or nicks from shaving legs or arms, but professional or DIY dermaplaning at home is not like that at all.

One major concern many people have when contemplating dermaplaning is thicker hair growth. Will dermaplaning cause those fine vellus hairs to grow back darker and thicker? Absolutely not. This treatment will do no such thing, and by removing those fine hairs, dermaplaning will actually leave your skin feeling smoother and more radiant.

Is Dermaplaning at Home Effective?

Woman wearing red bandana with dermaplaning on her face

​Image via Pexels

If you ask any plastic surgeon or dermatologist if dermaplaning at home is effective, they will most likely recommend you to see a professional. However, this is not because DIY dermaplaning is not safe or effective.

Professionals will use sterile blades that can penetrate the skin a little deeper, but these days, since we live in a DIY world, a scalpel and an appointment aren’t necessary to try dermaplaning at home and achieve excellent results. More and more professional treatments are moving to over-the-counter products so consumers can try it themselves. This now includes dermaplaning because many people are struggling to find qualified professionals, the time in their schedule, and the funds to have the treatment done.

Professional dermaplaning is expensive, so doing it yourself at home is a lot cheaper, and safe at-home devices with easy-to-use blades are currently available on the market that replicate the treatment. These devices are specifically designed for use at home and are dermatologically approved. There are also numerous tutorials and guides on dermaplaning at home by the professionals themselves that give you an in-depth walk-through of the do’s and don’ts in addition to the correct technique.

The short answer is, yes, dermaplaning at home is effective if you take the appropriate steps which we’ll go through with you next. Just remember to take every precaution when using the blade and do not rush!

What to Expect When Dermaplaning at Home

Woman touching her face

​Image via Pexels

Dermaplaning at home is simple, painless and only takes about 5 minutes. We have taken the leg-work out for you and have listed what you will need and how to achieve your desired skin!

You don’t need to invest in any expensive or fancy shavers, you just need a bulk supply of single blade disposable razors, like BIC Sensitive Razors. There are multiple options available on Amazon that are really affordable. You will also need:

  • 2 x Sterile alcohol prep pads
  • Face wash
  • Paper towel/normal towel
  • Face cloth (optional)

What to Do Next

  1. 1
    Using your normal face wash, cleanse your skin with lukewarm water. You can also use a warm face cloth to help remove any stubborn excess makeup or superficial dead skin.
  2. 2
    Pat dry your face with a paper towel or normal towel. This is crucial, as your skin needs to be dry.
  3. 3
    Wipe your skin with a sterile alcohol prep pad to reduce chances of any bacteria on your skin causing breakouts.
  4. 4
    Use the other sterile alcohol prep pad to wipe the blade down and ensure the razor is also bacteria free.
  5. 5
    Pull your skin taut and work the blade down your face in small strokes. You want to shave WITH the hair growth to start.
  6. 6
    Move the blade slowly over your cheeks, forehead, and jawline. Be mindful of your hairline and only do your nose if you must! It is a difficult shape to navigate the razor around without potentially hurting yourself.
  7. 7
    Rinse the blade frequently.
  8. 8
    Once you have completed your entire face, begin again but this time work the blade upward, AGAINST the hair growth.
  9. 9
    Splash your face a few times with cool water and pat dry.
  10. 10
    Discard the razor after you have finished. You can repeat the process every few weeks, so we recommend you using a brand new, clean razor each time.
  11. 11
    Apply a hydrating moisturizer, serum, or active product like retinol to you freshly rejuvenated skin!

Please note – always perform a patch test by shaving a small area with hair growth before dermaplaning the entire surface of your face. This will alert you to any potential skin sensitivities you may have and dictate whether you need to lather your skin (like you do when shaving your legs) and the amount of pressure you need to apply when using the razor.

You will want to avoid intense activities that cause sweating for 24 hours and make sure to put on sunscreen to protect that fresh new layer of skin!

Conclusion

Woman washing her face

​Image via Pexels

Dermaplaning, or dermablading, is a gentle, non-invasive way to effectively remove dead skin cells and get rid of the short, fine hair that appears on the surface of your face and neck. The single blade exfoliates the top layer of skin to reveal softer, healthier skin and can even help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It nourishes the skin, allowing for better absorption of your daily skincare products and will not alter the texture or color of the fine hair on your face when it eventually grows back.

Dermaplaning at home has long-term advantages for your skin, as it not only rejuvenates your appearance which impacts your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, but also won’t break the bank or affect your busy schedule! So, if you want a portable, easy-to-use, cost-effective alternative to visiting the spa for dermaplaning, or you are interested in knowing more about dermaplaning at home, head over to the beauty experts at Beauty Essential! Give your face the glow it deserves this summer and embrace your skin-confidence today!

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