Dermaplaning is becoming a more popular facial treatment and it can leave you with glowing skin! In this post, I’ll be breaking down what dermaplaning is and how to do it in your own home. I’ll also be debunking some myths that people believe about dermaplaning!
What is dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is the removal of facial hair/peach fuzz using a single razor blade. You can buy razors specifically for dermaplaning and these are often listed as face razors or eyebrow razors.
As well as removing the hair, some state it is also a method of physical exfoliation and dead skin can also be removed alongside the hair.
The dermaplaning you do yourself, is unlikely to match the results of those given by a professional but this method can be used as a more affordable alternative.
What are the benefits of dermaplaning?
You’ll hear many benefits you can gain from dermaplaning your face. The most common benefits that are often ‘promised’ by dermaplaning include:
• A smoother complexion
• Brighter skin
• Better absorption of products
• Smoother application of makeup
• Reduction in appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Of course, results vary for everyone and what one person experiences, may not be what everyone else does.
How do you dermaplane your own face at home?
Dermaplaning your own face can be a quick and easy process but there are a few tips to help you do it in a way that will not damage your face.
Start by cleaning your blade. You want it to be as sterile as possible. When having this done professionally, the blade should be sterilised beforehand and it is likely the aesthetician will wear gloves also.
Ensure your face is clean but dry. Unlike shaving the rest of your body, dermaplaning receives the best results when your face is dry. I like to wash and dry my face, they wait a further 10-15 minutes.
Using the hand that isn’t dermaplaning, pull your skin taut. This is will prevent continuous tugging of the skin and reduces the risk of cuts. In the other hand, hold your razor, I personally like the have a firm grip of the handle with my index finger to stabilise the razor. I feel like this gives me more control and helps me to be more concise with the strokes.
Hold the blade at a 45 degree angle to your face and use small, gentle strokes in the direction of your hair growth (generally downwards). As you do this, wipe your blade periodically, this can be on a tissue, or personally, I use the back of my hand which I obviously wash off afterwards.
Once you’ve finished, rinse your face off and apply product. You should rinse your face after dermaplaning to ensure you remove any hair or skin cells that may not have come off while dermaplaning. Avoid using further exfoliating products after and this includes chemical exfoliants and retinoids. Opt for some gentle products and a hydrating moisturiser!
Common misconceptions about dermaplaning
Will my hair grow back thicker?
No! This is the most common myth about dermaplaning. Since you are shaving in the direction of hair growth, you are not blunting the edge of a hair follicle so your hair shouldn’t appear thicker when it is growing back. Peach fuzz is also often finer and paler than your other body hair and these properties don’t seem to change when you shave them. At least, they haven’t in my personal experience.
How often do I need to dermaplane your face?
There is no set schedule to dermaplane your face. On the first occasion, you may decide that you don’t want to do it again and that is fine.
I usually notice my hair comes back after about 4 weeks but I don’t always do it straight away and just do it as and when I want.
Everyone’s hair will grow back at different rates so it’s up to you when you feel like you need to revisit and redo.
Will it cause breakouts?
Dermaplaning should not cause breakouts and the risk is reduced when doing it correctly. This means, washing your face beforehand, keeping your blade clean and rinsing your face afterwards. By doing these, you are reducing the risk of spreading bacteria and dirt across your skin.
That being said, dermaplaning is often not recommended on skin undergoing an active breakout. A few spots are okay but avoid shaving over these but those suffering with a more severe breakout should avoid dermaplaning until after it has resolved as dermaplaning can irritate this.
Dermaplaning is also not advised for those with thinner skin, rosacea, eczema and sunburn as the shaving can irritate this and possibly exacerbate it.
How can I reduce the risk of cuts?
There will always be a risk of cuts but there are certain things you can do to keep this risk to a minimum. However, this will not completely make the risk zero.
First of all, ensure you keep your razor sharp. I often switch my razor out every 5ish uses as I feel that’s when it gets blunt. It may seem strange that a sharper blade will reduce the risk of cuts but when your razor is blunt, you are more likely to press harder against your skin and go over areas twice which will increase the risk of cuts.
Keep your razor angled. Maintaining a 45 degree angle reduces the risk of cuts also. Having it flat to your skin will reduce the results you see but having it at around 90 degrees to your skin increases the risk of cuts.
Finally, keep your skin taut. This gives you a flatter surface to shave against. By not holding it taut, you may nick your skin or cut it if the razor gets caught and tugs it downwards. Thankfully, this is a pretty easy thing to avoid.
And that, is how you dermaplane your face! I hope you found this useful, and if you did, why not find out how to pair this with a perfect skincare routine tailored to your own skin type!
