What is dermaplaning and should you try it?

What you should know before you try this yourself.

You may have seen people on YouTube using small razors to shave their faces in order to improve their Exfoliate skin or remove facial hair. You have asked yourself: "What is dermaplaning and should I try it?"

While these YouTube tutorials make dermaplaning look like an easy "do-it-yourself" procedure, experts should avoid trying this at home for several reasons we will explain. Also, dermaplaning is not recommended for all skin types. So it's best to ask a dermatologist if it's right for you. Below, dermatologists explain what you should know about dermaplaning, including the risks, benefits and costs.

What is dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is a cosmetic procedure in which you scrape off your face with a scalpel to remove the epidermis - your top layer of skin - and small hairs, the professor of dermatology, medicine and nutrition at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA tells us. Traditionally, the procedure is done in a dermatologist's office. However, you can find blades in the drugstore marketed for at-home dermaplaning. This means it is safer for a professional to perform it. (We will come back to this in a moment.) It is also always a good idea to look for a procedure you are interested in, even if you delay the actual procedure because of the pandemic.

During a dermaplaning session, the dermatologist scratches over the surface of the skin with a medical scalpel. The treatment takes about 15 minutes and can cost between 40 and over 150 euros, depending on where you go.

What are the advantages of dermaplaning?

The main reason people do this is to remove the vellus hairs on their faces, which some call peach fuzz. Everyone has these fine vellus hairs covering their body and they serve a purpose: vellus hairs keep us warm and add another layer of protection to the skin. But some people's vellus hairs are thicker and more visible than others, and depending on how they feel about it, they may want to have it removed. Dermaplaning is, of course, only one way to do this. There are many at-home hair removal kits that can get the job done, including the Cold wax strips from Nad's for women (7,90 Euro, Amazon ), which we love and use very much ourselves.... However, the dermatologist, MD, tells us that typical hair removal methods such as. Waxing and threading don't always deliver the desired results, which makes dermaplaning an attractive option. You may have heard that shaving hair from the face causes hair to grow back - this is technically not true. According to the Mayo Clinic However, it can be thicker or darker look , as the shave has a blunt tip when growing out.

According to a dermatologist in New Jersey, people could try laser hair removal to achieve longer-lasting results. This method damages the Hair Follicle by heat, so your strands won't grow back as easily. Although it's marketed as a permanent option, according to the Cleveland Clinic, your hair can grow back after hormonal changes (like menopause) . It also takes several sessions to see changes. The exact amount varies, and generally people with darker skin need more sessions than those with lighter skin. This option also does not work for grey hair.

The dermatologist says that the main reason she does dermaplaning in her practice is to remove vellus hair, but that the blade also removes a superficial layer of dead skin . This can result in your skin looking more radiant, your skincare products working better and your foundation being smoother. At Dr Ingleton's practice, dermaplaning is often an adjunct performed before other treatments such as microdermabrasion or ablative lasers like Fraxel. When it comes to peels, there are no studies showing how dermaplaning compares to other treatments like retinoidsor chemical peels, she says. This is one reason why she prefers peels to dermaplaning - even for sensitive skin - and does not offer dermaplaning in her practice. "Peels help texture, tone, Acne and improve fine lines," she says. "They are not at all equivalent and many peels give a deeper exfoliation than a scalpel."

Is it okay to try dermaplaning at home?

While it feels like it's easy to get rid of these hairs at home with a cheap blade, professionals warn for it. Any blade you get over-the-counter is not as sharp or effective as the medical-grade scalpel used in the doctor's office. Plus, there is always the possibility that you will cut yourself and possibly cause scarring.

How often should you have dermaplaning done?

To keep the hair away , you may need to be treated about once a month. (Of course, the exact timeline looks different for each person.) She says this is not a treatment you should do too often. Our epidermis protects us from allergens and other potential irritants in the outside world - too frequent dermaplaning can irritate or damage this top protective layer, she says. For this reason, it's best to consult a doctor who can help you decide on the appropriate frequency for your skin and needs.

When should you avoid dermaplaning?

There are some cases where you should think twice before signing up for dermaplaning. If you have acne, there is a chance that the blade will get a pimple, she says, which means that healing would take longer. So if you have something like a severe cystic breakout, it may be best to postpone it. Ideally, you want to consult a doctor who has experience with acne-prone patients. Also, inform your dermatologist if you have had cold sores in the past. "If you have an outbreak of cold sores, you need to be on Valtrex and the doctor needs to avoid the area," she says. Without the use of a preventive oral anti-herpes medication, cold sores can spread due to micro-tears in the skin.