If you’ve spent any time on beauty TikTok recently then chances are you’ve probably heard of dermaplaning. Loads of celebs and influencers are raving about the treatment, with many saying their complexions have been revitalised after trying it.
But what exactly is dermaplaning and what are the benefits? Well, allow us to fill you in on everything you need to know…
What is dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is an exfoliating hair removal treatment usually used to remove dead skin cells and vellus hair (commonly known as peach fuzz) from the face using an exfoliating blade that kind of looks like a scalpel.
The treatment can also be known as microplaning or blading.
How does dermaplaning work?
The concept of dermaplaning is similar to shaving. Firstly, the skin needs to be cleansed of make-up and any other dirt or debris that could clog pores or lead to ingrown hairs. A sterile surgical blade is then dragged across the skin in short, soft strokes at a 45-degree angle to remove hair and dead skin cells.
The process should be painless and usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. When dermaplaning is finished, aloe vera may be applied to soothe the face. It's also a good idea to apply sunscreen as dermaplaning makes skin more sensitive to the sun.
What are the benefits of dermaplaning?
The aim of dermaplaning is to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, peach fuzz and excess oils from the face, leaving you with smoother and brighter skin. Like any form of exfoliation, the results of dermaplaning mean that your skincare products penetrate the surface of the skin more and work more effectively.
This also gives you a smoother base to apply make-up.
Dermaplaning also smoothes out uneven skin texture and claims to remove acne scarring and pockmarks. It can be carried out on any skin type and is often used to combat dry, dull skin, sun damage and fine wrinkles.
Does dermaplaning make hair grow back quicker?
It's a common myth that dermaplaning makes facial hair grow back quicker, however this is not usually the case.
Are there any side effects of dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is usually a low risk procedure when carried out by a professional, however those with sensitive or highly reactive skin may experience irritation. If you have inflamed acne or breakouts, dermaplaning could spread bacteria which makes this worse and you may also experience irritation.
Dermaplaning can also do more harm than good if you have an inflammatory skin condition like eczema, psoriasis or rosacea.
You can expect slight redness after dermaplaning but this usually fades quickly, however your skin will be more susceptible to sun damage for the next few days after dermaplaning so make sure you avoid direct sun exposure, use a high factor sunscreen immediately after the treatment and reapply every two hours.
Is dermaplaning a big commitment?
If you're going to a facialist, you can expect a 30-minute treatment that needs to be repeated every three or four weeks.
Can I dermaplane myself?
You can purchase a dermaplaning tool and do the procedure on yourself at home, however it's important to note that you might not achieve the same results as a professional and the risk of pain and complications will be higher.
If you are doing it yourself at home, dermaplaning tools can only be used once or twice before being replaced.
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Does dermaplaning actually work?
Results do vary from person to person but generally the immediate effect is glowing, more radiant skin but it does depend on your individual skin type.
What do celebs say about dermaplaning?
Loads of celebs are massive fans of dermaplaning including TOWIE's Lauren Pope and Amy Childs, Love Island stars Laura Anderson, Belle Hassan and Alexandra Cane and Geordie Shore legend Vicky Pattison.
Vicky told heat, "Something that I have discovered this year is dermaplaning. They’ve got loads of ones you can use from home. It just takes off all of the old dead skin cells, all of the peach fuzz, any debris that may be collecting on your face, the skin underneath is so shiny and bright."
However, one famous face who isn't a fan is Molly-Mae Hague who claimed dermaplaning gave her "a full beard" instead of smoothing out her complexion.
In one of her YouTube videos, Molly-Mae opened up about regretting getting the treatment done saying, "I need to speak to you guys about my battle with dermaplaning - and just wish I never got dermaplaning. I basically have a full beard now.
"Basically with the dermaplaning, I got into the habit of having a dermaplaning facial and my peach fuzz just grows back at rapid levels now. It was meant to sort of prevent it from growing back and mean that it would grow back less - but with any hair removal, like when you shave your legs, it means you have to start shaving them more.
"It's just one of those things, when you start doing it you can't really stop. So yeah you could say I wish I never started the dermaplaning because I'm not the sort of person who keeps up regularly with my beauty treatments."