If the idea of shaving your face sounds a bit strange to you, it’s understandable. After all, what about the age-old myth that shaving makes hair grow back thicker? Well, I’ll come to the answer to that later, but for now, let me explain what I really mean by shaving your face, and why dermaplaning is not as crazy as it sounds.
What is dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is a manual exfoliation treatment that can be found at many clinics. It’s essentially where a practitioner takes a surgical scalpel and runs it over the face to ‘shave’ the skin, thereby removing dead skin cells and vellus hair (better known as peach fuzz). This leaves the skin bright, smooth and dreamy.
How does dermaplaning work?
The practitioner takes the special scalpel and, in small strokes, runs it over each part of the face carefully. This is a great way to remove dead skin in a way that an at-home exfoliator just wouldn’t achieve. Before starting the treatment, the practitioner will remove makeup, cleanse and tone the face to make sure it is free from as much bacteria and dirt as possible, and then begin the dermaplaning on dry skin. For best results, practitioners recommend having dermaplaning once every 4 weeks.
What are the main benefits of dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is a great option if you are looking to instantly brighten your skin and make it super soft and smooth. Because you are removing the dead skin cells, this means that any products you put on after your treatment will be able to penetrate deeper into the skin. So, for example, if you suffer with acne, the products you use to combat it will be able to work more effectively.
Another key benefit of dermaplaning is that makeup just slides right on after the treatment as the skin is so smooth and even. Amazing! And the great thing is that there’s no pain, no downtime and no irritation. Sounds like a dream treatment, right?
Does shaving really make your hair grow back thicker?
In a word, no. Shaving does not make hair grow back thicker, fuller or darker. If this were the case, imagine all the guys out there who would be picking up a razor in order to restore the shiny spots on their heads. But no, fortunately (or unfortunately in the last example), this is not the case. So, if this has been putting you off going for dermaplaning, rest assured that you won’t end up looking like a yeti a few weeks down the line. I’ve had this treatment and can vouch for this.
Dermaplaning at home vs in a clinic
Though there are tools out there that promise effective at-home dermaplaning, it’s always a good idea to at least try the treatment at a clinic first. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, a medically trained practitioner has loads of experience using a surgical scalpel, and can perform the treatment safely. Trying it at home having never used such a sharp tool is a bad idea and can lead to damaging your skin and a lot of pain - no thanks!
Secondly, you just won’t get the same results at home if you’re using a razor and you might find that the difference to your skin is not as noticeable - and you might also experience nicks, stubble or ingrown hairs. If you are still set on using an at-home tool, speak to a medically qualified practitioner first to get their thoughts and recommendations.
