What is Dermaplaning? It’s an amazing alternative to microdermabrasion. If you deal with frequent breakouts or a high level of facial hair, you might have noticed that the results of microdermabrasion are limited at best.

That’s where Dermaplaning comes in. Dermaplaning is an advanced, non-surgical method of removing dead skin cells from your face and neck in a short time with very little redness and absolutely no pain. Through gently removing the top layer of skin, along with vellus hairs (commonly known as “peach fuzz”), Derma Planning provides a fresh, revitalized look to your skin that lasts up to 4 weeks.

One of the best things about Dermaplaning is that it involves no trauma to the skin. Although there may be some slight redness after your treatment, you can usually put makeup on as usual. You’ll find that the makeup goes on flawlessly because all of the vellus hair and dead skin cells are gone!

Sometimes, the skin may be more sensitive to certain products than usual for a short time after treatment, so you’ll have to judge which and how much of each product your skin can tolerate. But your face will look beautiful and healthy for days and weeks afterward!

Although Dermaplaning is generally a stand-alone procedure, another aspect of it that we love is that it makes an excellent complement to chemical peels. Dermaplaning primes the skin for the effects of the peel, making the peel more effective. Similarly, Dermaplaning opens up the pores, making topical products such as serums and masks more effective as well.

Imagine having the smoothest, healthiest skin of your life with no trauma and virtually no pain whatsoever! And let’s not overlook the economics of choosing Dermaplaning and Chemical Peels—two minimally invasive procedures—over a larger-scale one requiring a greater commitment of money, time, and recovery.

Now that we know all of these amazing things about Dermaplaning, what exactly does it consist of?

In a Dermaplaning procedure, a practitioner uses a sterilized surgical scalpel to carefully shave away the top layer of skin cells and vellus hairs on your face, neck, or both. Dermaplaning is not performed anywhere else on the body and it is not used on the eyebrows, since eyebrow hair is substantially thicker than vellus hair.

The procedure is gentle and instantly effective with little turnaround time.

To get the most out of Dermaplaning, it is important to follow these specific pre-treatment steps. At least two weeks prior to treatment, avoid direct sun exposure or the use of tanning beds, as well as the use of suntan lotions (gentle sunscreen is okay) or retinoids on the skin. In fact, you’ll want to avoid any harsh chemicals on the skin, such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. These products can irritate and dry out skin cells, reducing the effectiveness of the Dermaplaning procedure.

Additionally, avoid other facial procedures such as chemical peels before your Dermaplaning procedure. Avoid other non-shaving hair removal methods, such as the use of depilatories. The presence of an active cold sore may make it necessary to postpone treatment. It is worth telling your practitioner ahead of time if you are prone to getting cold sores so that the possibility of prophylactic treatment options can be discussed.

Inform your practitioner ahead of time if you’re pregnant or nursing.

After your Dermaplaning treatment, your skin may have some mild redness that will fade in about 30 minutes, settling into a radiant glow. Your skin may be more sensitive for 48 to 72 hours after treatment, making it important to be mindful of bacteria on your hands, phone, and other items. Avoid sweating or exercising within 48 hours of your procedure.

Similarly, it is important to use only gentle products on your skin within that 2-3 day timeframe, such as nonacid cleansers, and always use a simple, chemical-based sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater.

Because the skin has been exfoliated, the unclogging of pores can cause a small breakout to occur. This is the result of impurities in your skin’s lower layers rising to the surface. Additionally, some crusting or flaking is possible. With proper gentle care, any breakouts or crusting can be easily remedied, maintaining the healthy, rejuvenated skin that Dermaplaning brings to the surface.

Dermaplaning remains a simple, safe, low- to no-pain, effective and economical procedure for obtaining beautiful, young-looking skin on the face and neck. It’s quick, instantly effective, complements other procedures, and helps you get more value and effectiveness out of your skincare products. What other procedure can you do during your lunch break, allowing you to return to work with brighter, healthier, more radiant skin?

Dermaplaning is the one!