Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is It?Dermaplaning vs. Other TechniquesBenefits of DermaplaningWho Is It Right For?Before DermaplaningDuring DermaplaningAfter DermaplaningRisksAre Multiple Procedures Needed?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is It?
Dermaplaning vs. Other Techniques
Benefits of Dermaplaning
Who Is It Right For?
Before Dermaplaning
During Dermaplaning
After Dermaplaning
Risks
Are Multiple Procedures Needed?
Dermaplaning is a minimally invasive procedure that shaves away the top layers of skin to reveal the brighter skin underneath. Potential benefits of dermaplaning include reducing the appearance ofacne scarsand pitted skin, exfoliating dull and dry skin, and removing unwanted hair.
This article covers everything you’ll need to know about dermaplaning, including its benefits and risks, as well as the steps involved in the procedure.
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What Is Dermaplaning?
During a dermaplaning session, adermatologistor other healthcare provider uses a dermatome, a handheld surgical device that looks like a scalpel, to gently shave off thin layers of skin and hair. It’s sometimes used in conjunction with other skin-care treatments or on its own as a deepexfoliating method.
Depending on your particular skin type and needs, your aesthetician ordermatologistmay perform dermaplaning on only a small “problem area” or your entire face. It’s often used to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars.
Dermaplaning vs. Dermabrasion vs. Microdermabrasion: What’s the Difference?
The main differences among the three skin resurfacing treatments involve the tools used and the number of layers of skin that can be removed in a single session, as follows:
The potential benefits of dermaplaning include:
Who Is Dermaplaning Right For?
You should avoid dermaplaning if you have any of the following:
What Happens Before Dermaplaning?
Before a dermaplaning appointment, your dermatologist or aesthetician will discuss your goals for the session and what you’d like to improve about your skin. They may also ask you about past reactions to skin-care treatments and advise you of any potential risks or side effects from the procedure.
What Happens During Dermaplaning?
The aesthetician or dermatologist may apply anumbing creamor anesthesia to your skin at the beginning of your appointment to reduce discomfort. During the session, your clinician will hold the dermatome at an angle to carefully remove the top layers of your skin. This is typically painless, although you may feel pressure from the instrument. One dermaplaning session can take minutes or last up to an hour.
What Happens After Dermaplaning?
At the end of your session, your healthcare provider may apply products to your skin to allow for deeper penetration. You should see visible results right away. Your skin may show signs of irritation, such as slight redness orsensitivity, which may take up to three months to fade.
What Are the Risks of Dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is typically a safe and effective procedure with relatively few risks. However, there are a few potential side effects, including:
Do You Need Multiple Dermaplaning Procedures?
Dermaplaning results are not permanent. If you underwent dermaplaning forhair removal, you may be able to enjoy your results for several weeks before the hair starts to grow back. Many people get dermaplaning sessions once a month to ensure that they see ongoing improvements in the look and feel of their skin.
Summary
Dermaplaning is an outpatient skincare treatment that removes the top layers of skin to reduce the visible signs of aging, remove hair, and minimize acne scars. Potential risks include scarring and infection, although these are relatively rare.
It’s safer and more effective to undergo dermaplaning with a trained professional than to try it yourself at home. Reach out to a dermatologist for an appointment if you think dermaplaning may be right for you.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Dermabrasion and dermaplaning.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Microdermabrasion: FAQs.The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.Dermaplaning.Tijani AO, Frempong D, Kaur J, et al.Dermaplaning for transdermal drug permeation enhancement: A qualitative and quantitative assessment.AAPS PharmSciTech. 2023;24(2):54. doi:10.1208/s12249-023-02505-yChang DK, Savetsky IL, Avashia YJ, Rohrich RJ.A safe, modern treatment of rhinophyma: The 5-step technique.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020;8(6):e2620. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000002620
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Dermabrasion and dermaplaning.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Microdermabrasion: FAQs.The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.Dermaplaning.Tijani AO, Frempong D, Kaur J, et al.Dermaplaning for transdermal drug permeation enhancement: A qualitative and quantitative assessment.AAPS PharmSciTech. 2023;24(2):54. doi:10.1208/s12249-023-02505-yChang DK, Savetsky IL, Avashia YJ, Rohrich RJ.A safe, modern treatment of rhinophyma: The 5-step technique.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020;8(6):e2620. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000002620
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Dermabrasion and dermaplaning.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Microdermabrasion: FAQs.The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.Dermaplaning.Tijani AO, Frempong D, Kaur J, et al.Dermaplaning for transdermal drug permeation enhancement: A qualitative and quantitative assessment.AAPS PharmSciTech. 2023;24(2):54. doi:10.1208/s12249-023-02505-yChang DK, Savetsky IL, Avashia YJ, Rohrich RJ.A safe, modern treatment of rhinophyma: The 5-step technique.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020;8(6):e2620. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000002620
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Dermabrasion and dermaplaning.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Microdermabrasion: FAQs.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.Dermaplaning.
Tijani AO, Frempong D, Kaur J, et al.Dermaplaning for transdermal drug permeation enhancement: A qualitative and quantitative assessment.AAPS PharmSciTech. 2023;24(2):54. doi:10.1208/s12249-023-02505-y
Chang DK, Savetsky IL, Avashia YJ, Rohrich RJ.A safe, modern treatment of rhinophyma: The 5-step technique.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020;8(6):e2620. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000002620
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