TREATMENT TIME
30 -45 minutes
LONGEVITY
6+ weeks
ANAESTHESIA
Not required
DOWNTIME
None
DERMAPLANING
The idea of having your skin shaved, free-hand, with a scalpel may not sound like fun, but this is a gentle if rather advanced form of facial exfoliation, carried out by a well-trained skin specialist using an ultra-fine scalpel. It’s a swift way to improve skin texture on the surface, because careful shaving not only removes the top layer of dead, polluted skin cells that make the face look dull, but also all the ‘peach fuzz’ vellus hair on the face, so your newly-denuded skin feels extra smooth. It will also be that bit more receptive to skincare ingredients and that bit more sensitive to UV light, so stock up on sunscreen.
A deeper exfoliation treatment using a surgical blade to remove dead skin cells and peach fuzz hair from the skins surface. Improves skin texture, appearance and tone for super smooth glowing skin plus it increases skincare products penetration and absorption.
DERMAPLANING FAQ
WHAT IS DERMAPLANING? Dermaplaning is a procedure to create smoother skin. It works by removing the very top layers of your skin where there is evidence of scars (e.g. from acne), fine lines, and some blemishes from sun-damaged skin. Your skincare professional will skilfully skim the surface of the skin using an exfoliating surgical blade. As well as the top layer of skin, it also removes the hair. Dermaplaning is non-invasive and doesn’t require a difficult recovery. It’s used by those wanting a more youthful and soft complexion, to minimise dullness and the appearance of minor skin damage. The idea of having your skin shaved, free-hand, with a scalpel may not sound like fun, but this is a gentle if rather advanced form of facial exfoliation, carried out by a well-trained skin specialist using an ultra-fine scalpel. It’s a swift way to improve skin texture on the surface, because careful shaving not only removes the top layer of dead, polluted skin cells that make the face look dull, but also all the ‘peach fuzz’ vellus hair on the face, so your new skin feels extra smooth. It will also be that bit more receptive to skincare ingredients and that bit more sensitive to UV light, so stock up on sunscreen. Dermaplaning apparently dates back to Ancient Egypt and may be called the 'Egyptian Facial’. Cleopatra was way ahead of her time and would bathe in sour milk (which is basically lactic acid) and fruit juice (a combination of glycolic and mandelic acid) to exfoliate and soften her skin before her face was very carefully shaved with a sharp blade. While the tools we use now have come on a lot, the principles remain almost exactly the same.
HOW DOES DERMAPLANING WORK? Dermaplaning is an extremely effective method of exfoliation. In less than an hour, your skin can go from tired and rough to bright and smooth. Make-up glides on more easily without the rough top surface getting in the way and your skin’s new smoothness will look great in photographs as smoother skin reflects the light more evenly. There’s a reason it’s so popular with celebrities and supermodels. Your practitioner takes a sterile surgical scalpel designed for this procedure and while holding it at 45-degrees to the skin, scrapes away at the top-most layer of your skin. Actually, ‘scrapes’ is too harsh a word, as the scalpel is used so gently that you can only just feel it. The practitioner uses short, controlled strokes and works their way methodically over your skin. This removes the accumulation of crusty dead cells that give your skin a rough-looking texture and at the same time takes away the wispy vellus hairs. This exposes the more recently produced skin cells, which have a brighter and more youthful appearance, making your skin look rejuvenated and glowing. Dermaplaning should be painless, but you may feel a little tingling or heightened sensitivity as the top skin cells are removed. The procedure is carried out with you lying down and a session usually takes around 30-45min. Once completed, a soothing balm and moisturiser is applied. It’s not unusual to experience some redness for a few days immediately following dermaplaning. It takes a few days before you can appreciate the full results. After your treatment you will also find skincare products are able to penetrate the skin more effectively.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DERMAPLANING? The main benefits of dermaplaning are: Incredible exfoliation that leaves you glowing for a week. Soft, soft skin – one thing you shouldn’t really be doing after dermaplaning is touching your skin, but will you want to keep feeling it; Smoother texture – and I mean porcelain-smooth skin that’s readily apparent to the naked eye. It removes facial hair – this can be a goal in itself, but it also means that the skin doesn’t trap as much dirt and oil throughout the day, keeping your skin looking brighter for longer. Faster skin cell turnover – the body renews skin cells on average every six weeks, but dermaplaning gives you a shortcut to those vibrant new skin cells that lurk beneath the surface. It’s a better surface for make-up – foundation goes on without issue and with minimal blending required, leaving you looking almost airbrushed. Enables better product absorption - When you apply creams and serums to your face, they need to penetrate the top layers to fully benefit your skin. With dermaplaning, the top layer and dead skin cells are removed, meaning the product can penetrate more deeply. Reduces the appearance of acne scars - Many say that dermaplaning has reduced the visible appearance of their depressed acne scars. Reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles - Similarly, many swear by dermaplaning for giving them a more youthful complexion with less noticeable fine lines and wrinkles. Enhances radiance - By removing the dead skin cells, dullness is eliminated and you will experience a more radiant complexion. Non-invasive and minimal recovery - This isn’t a complex cosmetic procedure, and within a few days you’ll notice the benefits. No chemicals are used. Is suitable for most people - All skin types can generally use dermaplaning safely.
DOES DERMAPLANING HURT? Not at all. The scalpel is used to scrape, not slice, and it’s only removing the very uppermost – and already dead – skin cells, so you’re not going to feel any pain. All you’ll feel is a light, slightly scratchy scuffing sensation as the blade works its way around the face.
IS DERMAPLANING SAFE? Yes, absolutely - In the right hands. It’s entirely reasonable to entertain a certain level of apprehension about having your face worked over with a very sharp knife by someone you’ve only just met. With the right technique using a sterile blade held at a consistent angle, this is no more hazardous than a shave with a razor.
DOES DERMAPLANING MAKE HAIR GROW BACK THICKER / BRISTLY? Hair thickness is determined by an interaction between hormones and your hair follicles, which reside in the dermis, the layer of skin below the top surface. Dermaplaning obviously doesn’t involve any hormones and it only scrapes at the epidermis, the outer layer, and doesn’t get anywhere near the follicles, meaning there’s no way it can affect the thickness of the hair. What dermaplaning does do is cut the vellus hairs about two-thirds of the way up the hair shaft. Technically, this leaves a cut edge that you might think would feel sharp and bristly, but because vellus hairs are so thin, so delicate, and so very soft, the fact is you just can’t feel the cut edge, so there is no bristliness to worry about. If you’ve heard stories about how shaving can increase hair growth and coarseness, this is a myth that has been prevalent since the 1920s that you can happily resign to the rubbish pile.
HOW LONG DO DERMAPLANING RESULTS LAST? The effects of dermaplaning are most evident during the first week. After that, your skin starts to return to how it was before, and your vellus hair starts to regrow – you may want to go back for another session about six weeks after treatment.
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER MY DERMAPLANING TREATMENT? Sunscreen is a must (Well it should be used on a daily basis anyway... but definitely use it following dermaplaning). Without the dead cells on the skin’s surface, you’ll be a little more susceptible to the sun’s UV rays, so make sure to be especially diligent in applying sunscreen after your treatment and avoid direct sunlight wherever possible. Don’t touch! The exfoliation is excellent with dermaplaning and any products the practitioner uses – serums and creams, etc. – will sink right in. However, the same applies for dirt and grime – they’ll sink right in there too. For the first few hours after treatments, try to avoid touching your face – this is precautionary best practice though, so don’t worry too much if you do touch your face. If something happens and you end up with visible dirt on your face, just make sure to remove it with a mild and gentle cleanser at the first opportunity. As we say, protection from sun exposure after dermaplaning should feature highly in your dermaplaning aftercare. Your practitioner will apply sunscreen immediately after the treatment. You will then need to ensure you have sunscreen on every time you go outside (even on cloudy days!) for several weeks. Use at least SPF 30. In addition, we recommend the following aftercare tips: Avoid the sun - For three days we recommend that you avoid direct sun exposure entirely, and definitely don’t sunbathe! Use moisturisers - Choose fragrance free natural moisturisers and serums to nourish and soothe your skin. Avoid heat - Likewise, so as to not exacerbate the redness, avoid too much heat for three days too. Keep your hairdryer away from your face, and don’t use saunas or steam rooms. Don’t exfoliate - After dermaplaning, you do not need to exfoliate (dermaplaning is extreme exfoliation!). Avoid scrubs and other exfoliation for at least one week. Don’t swim - Don’t go in a chlorinated pool or hot tub for a week following your treatment. Don’t exercise for 24 hours - To minimise sensitivity, redness, and the potential for outbreaks, avoid getting too sweaty for 24 hours following your treatment. Don’t wear makeup for 24 hours - We recommend avoiding makeup on your face for 24 hours following treatment. Avoid other treatments - If you’ve had dermaplaning, you shouldn’t have any other facial treatments for at least a fortnight. Your dermaplaning practitioner will explain the aftercare procedure to you thoroughly. Aftercare ensures you get the best results for as long as possible. Make sure you cleanse your skin daily, using only water or a very mild face cleanser. Pat your face gently with a towel to dry, rather than rubbing it. Moisturise it and use a serum. Choose creams and serums rich in hyaluronic acid and vitamin C.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS TO DERMAPLANING? As long as you don’t have very sensitive skin, or severe acne or rosacea, the worst you can expect after a dermaplaning session is some mild redness. Dermaplaning is considered to be low-risk and suitable for most people. Redness - The most common side effect is simply some redness on your face immediately following the procedure which may appear worse for the first few days. This then calms down to bring you the benefits. Breakouts - Occasionally, some people find that they get spots within a few days. Sensitivity - Importantly, after dermaplaning, your skin on your face is more sensitive to sun exposure. You should always wear sunscreen following dermaplaning to prevent pigment patches or sensitivity.