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Dermaplaning: How Shaving My Face Gave Me Super Smooth Skin
If you’re not quite ready to take the plunge into the injectable aesthetic treatment world, dermaplaning (a.k.a. dermablading) might be a good place to start. This completely non-invasive treatment will break you into the aesthetics sphere gently (and it’s also needle-less!).
This was, technically, my first ever aesthetic treatment and I might now be addicted. What’s dermaplaning? Let me tell you a little bit about what it is and my experience of it.
What is dermaplaning?
To be honest, there’s not much to it - but the results are impressive. Dermaplaning is a form of physical exfoliation which makes the skin look brighter and feel softer and smoother. A practitioner uses a rounded, bendy blade (don’t be scared of the word ‘blade’!) to shave away peach fuzz (vellus hair) and the top layer of dead skin cells that sit on the surface of the skin which can make for a dull and dry complexion. Whilst the skin is pulled taut, the dermaplaning tool is held at roughly a 45° angle and lightly skimmed over the skin in short motions, taking away the hair and dead skin. And that’s basically it!
Will the hair grow back thicker and darker?
Before we move on, I just want to clear up the biggest FAQ when it comes to dermaplaning: will the hair grow back thicker and darker? No. It won’t. The hair found on our faces (the fine, small hairs called vellus hair) does not grow back thicker. I would have deeply regretted it otherwise!
Why did I have dermaplaning?
Okay, so why did I have a dermaplaning treatment in the first place? It all starts with a chemical peel.
I was booked in for a superficial chemical peel to blast my blackheads, breakouts and blemishes (that’s another story!) and my aesthetician, Melody, recommended that we prep my skin with a dermaplaning facial. The benefit of dermaplaning before a chemical peel is that the acids in the chemical solution can travel deeper into the skin because they don’t have to fight through a dead layer of skin. And for an increased glow, I wasn’t going to say no!
Side note: dermaplaning doesn’t have to be used before other treatments; it can be done on its own for some fast skin-smoothing.
The dermaplaning process
As with lots of aesthetic procedures, the dermaplaning treatment started with a cleanser and toner being applied to my skin to make sure it was clean, dry and de-greased (this is pretty essential for an oily skin type like me!). Then, starting at my forehead, Melody began scraping the dermaplaning razor over my skin in short, light movements, with minimal pressure. Then, after working her way down my face - even onto the neck - the treatment was done. And, in case you’re wondering, the treatment was completely painless. Yes, I could feel the blade as it moved over my skin but, if anything, it was relaxing (I could have easily fallen asleep!). It took about 20 minutes in total - so it’s the perfect speedy treatment for instant brightening. Then, after some more toning, my skin was ready for the chemical peel.
Dermaplaning: the results
The amount of hair and dead skin cells removed during the dermaplaning was...huge. Once the treatment was over, Melody showed me the cotton pad that she’d been collecting the vellus hair and dead skin on and I was simultaneously amazed and disgusted. If you think your face isn’t too hairy, you’re probably wrong!
My skin after dermaplaning
One of the key dermaplaning benefits was noticeable straight away: skin smoothness. Even now, almost one week after the treatment, my skin’s still feeling ridiculously soft (it’s surprising what a little bit of face shaving can do!). But, I’m trying hard to not stroke my face too much because that can, of course, lead to breakouts - but it’s hard when your skin’s so smooth!
My skin also looks clearer (with some help from the chemical peel too) and less dull without loads of tiny hairs covering my face - one of the other big benefits of dermaplaning. I didn’t realise how much they bothered me until they were all shaved off. These results are set to last for about three weeks, before the hair fully grows back - and I’ll be obsessed with my skin’s texture for the whole time!
If you're like to try dermaplaning you can find a practitioner near you right here - it's really simple to pick your appointment time and book in directly on Glowday - we'll even send you appointment reminders and give you an easy-peasy way to pay!