Dermaplaning is a popular skin treatment that makes use of an exfoliating blade to remove hair and dead skin cells from your face. It is also widely known as microblading or micro planning.
The procedure claims to reveal a smoother, radiant, and youthful skin surface. It also aims to remove scarring from acne and uneven skin marks. It is also known to get rid of the soft, tiny hairs on your face or “peach fuzz.”
Aside from these benefits, dermaplaning also boasts addressing the following skin concerns:
- Dull skin
- Acne scars
- Dry skin
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles
- Sun damage
The mechanisms of dermaplaning
The tool used in dermaplaning resembles that of a razor. True enough, both devices lie on a similar principle which is shaving.
The blade is aimed at the skin at a 45-degree angle. Then, the aesthetician will drag it slowly across your skin. This slow-motion ensures that the scar tissues, dead cells, and other debris will be removed carefully, exposing a more even skin surface.
Because your skin is constantly exposed to irritants, sun damage, and free radicals, the top layer of your skin may start to look dull and old. Through dermaplaning, the damaged skin skills will be removed so that the newer skin cells will have a chance to be shown on the surface.
The microblading procedure should be painful. Although, you may feel a tingling sensation when the blade glides across your skin.
In the first part of the procedure, you will be asked to sit down on a chair located in a comfortable and clean room. You may also be sedated with local anesthesia with an oral sedative or a numbing spray. On rare occasions, general anesthesia may be administered.
Once the sedation has taken effect and you are relaxed, the aesthetician will use either a manual dermaplaning tool or an electronic one. This tool will be the one to be used in scraping your skin.
The scraping may continue for around 20 to 30 minutes, as the procedure should be done slowly and carefully to ensure proper exfoliation of the skin. Once the scraping is over, the aesthetician will soothe your skin using a moisturizer like an aloe. They might also apply sun protection to your skin to protect it.
Possible risks and side effects of dermaplaning
Suppose you are skeptical about dermaplaning because of possible effects. In that case, you can stop your worries as this treatment is a low-risk procedure. The only side effects you may notice would be slight redness on your face minutes to an hour post-treatment. Some clients also report the development of whiteheads on their faces days after the treatment.
Scarring and infections are rare occurrences after getting the treatment, but they can happen. Suppose you develop scars from this procedure. In that case, the practitioner may inject a steroid to soften the scar tissue.
Another side effect that you may encounter would be skin pigment patches in the area. Do not be alarmed, as these will decrease or disappear as time passes.
What to expect in dermaplaning?
You do not have to plan ahead if you want to undergo dermaplaning. The downtime is not that long, and the recovery is not that heavy. Two to three days after the treatment, you may feel like your skin is being scraped, and you may experience redness in the treatment area.
Once you have undergone the treatment, you will notice that you have brighter skin right away. But, you can see the optimal results days after the treatment once the redness subsides.
On the other hand, remember that the results of dermaplaning are not permanent. The treatment claims to steer clear of dead skin cells that have been sitting on your skin for three weeks. So after a month, the results may start to fade; thus, the need for touch-ups should you want to keep the results.
Moreover, after the dermaplaning, you will need to be extra cautious with the sun. Sun damage can pose effects that will negate the results of dermaplaning, such as pigment blotches on the face. So whenever you go out, make sure you are wearing sunscreen.
How to prepare for dermaplaning?
Like all skin treatments, you will have a prior consultation with the aesthetician to ensure that you get the proper treatment. You will have to discuss your skin type, medical history, skin coloring, and the results you are aiming for after the treatment.
If you are having an acne breakout, you may have to reschedule your dermaplaning session as the treatment may irritate and tear the skin’s surface further. Avoiding sun exposure within the week of the treatment may also be helpful for less painful treatment.
Is it safe to do dermaplaning at home?
There is a reason why these treatments are offered at clinics. And this is because the tools are handled by trained professionals who know exactly what they are doing.
While there are dermaplaning tools you can use at home, doing the procedure on your own may not give you the results you need and increase the possible risks.
There are some anecdotal cases where there have been complications, risks of infections, and increased pain when people did dermaplaning at their homes.
Dermaplaning tools at home usually go by different names. These include beauty wands, razors, and an exfoliation system.
Dermaplaning or microdermabrasion?
Frequently, both procedures are usually linked to each other. Both approaches have exfoliation as their principles. Dermaplaning uses a blade or knife to remove dead skin cells, while microdermabrasion uses an abrasive surface to exfoliate.
Both procedures also offer the same benefits. So, if you have a hard time choosing between the two, you can always ask your aesthetician.
Get smoother skin with dermaplaning!
Surprisingly, you can get smoother, brighter, and more youthful skin with only a simple procedure! Suppose you want to try dermaplaning. You may book a consultation with Ascent Aesthetics. They have a large team of licensed and certified experts that can help you with the procedure.