Dermaplaning

What is Dermaplaning Treatment?

Dermaplaning is a gentle manual exfoliation treatment that removes dead skin cells and fine vellus hair from the surface of the skin.

This treatment helps reveal a smoother, brighter surface and may improve the way skincare products and makeup sit on the skin.

How Does It Work?

A sterile blade is carefully guided across the skin to exfoliate the outermost layer and reveal a smoother, brighter surface.

By removing superficial buildup and fine vellus hair, dermaplaning can help soften the look of dullness and uneven texture while supporting a refreshed complexion.

Pre-Treatment Instructions

  • Tell your provider about all medications, supplements, allergies, medical conditions, recent procedures, and changes in your health.
  • Avoid retinoids, exfoliating acids, scrubs, and harsh or irritating skincare products for several days before treatment or as instructed.
  • Avoid waxing, threading, chemical peels, laser treatments, or other irritating procedures on the treatment area before your appointment unless cleared by your provider.
  • Avoid direct sun exposure, tanning beds, and self-tanner before treatment if your skin is irritated, sunburned, or compromised.
  • Arrive with clean skin when possible and notify your provider of any active acne outbreak, cold sore, rash, open area, or infection before treatment.

What to Expect During Treatment

  • Treatment usually takes 20 to 45 minutes.
  • You may feel light scraping but the treatment should not be painful.
  • Your provider will use a sterile blade and gentle technique across appropriate areas of the skin.
  • Skin may look brighter and feel smoother immediately.
  • Mild redness or sensitivity can occur, especially in sensitive skin.

Post-Treatment Care and Expectations

  • Use a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen after treatment.
  • Mild redness, dryness, tightness, tingling, or sensitivity may occur and typically improves quickly.
  • Skin may feel smoother and appear brighter immediately after treatment.
  • Keep the skin hydrated and protected while the barrier calms.
  • Follow all provider-specific instructions closely, especially if dermaplaning was paired with another treatment.

What to Avoid

  • Avoid retinoids, exfoliating acids, scrubs, benzoyl peroxide, and harsh skincare for several days or as instructed.
  • Avoid direct sun exposure, tanning beds, and heat if the skin feels sensitive.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, hot tubs, and steam if the skin is flushed or reactive.
  • Do not pick, scratch, scrub, or irritate any areas of redness or sensitivity.
  • Avoid waxing, chemical peels, laser treatments, or other exfoliating services until cleared by your provider.

Skin Care

  • Use gentle, non-irritating skincare after treatment.
  • Apply moisturizer to support the skin barrier and reduce dryness or tightness.
  • Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily and reapply as needed when outdoors.
  • Avoid retinoids, acids, exfoliants, scrubs, and other active skincare until your provider says it is appropriate.
  • Resume pharmaceutical-grade skincare gradually as directed by your provider.

Additional Recommendations

  • Schedule dermaplaning when you can avoid significant sun exposure immediately afterward.
  • Keep skin well hydrated before and after treatment to support comfort and glow.
  • Notify your provider if you have a history of cold sores, sensitive skin, melasma, hyperpigmentation, acne flare, or abnormal scarring.
  • If irritation occurs, simplify skincare and use only gentle products until the skin calms.

Integrative Therapy Options

  • A Haus Ritual Facial or Hydrafacial may be recommended to support hydration, barrier comfort, and glow when appropriate.
  • LED Light Therapy may be considered to calm temporary redness and support post-treatment comfort.
  • Pharmaceutical-grade skincare may help maintain smoothness, hydration, and overall skin quality between treatments.
  • Dermaplaning may be included as part of a broader skin plan with chemical peels, lasers, or injectable treatments when properly timed and cleared by your provider.

Risks and Possible Side Effects

While Dermaplaning is generally well tolerated when performed by qualified providers, side effects may include but are not limited to:

  • Temporary redness, dryness, sensitivity, irritation, or small nicks.
  • Acne flare, ingrown hairs, or folliculitis, rarely.
  • Post-inflammatory pigmentation if skin is irritated and exposed to sun.
  • Burning, stinging, bruising, scabbing, delayed healing, infection, or scarring, rarely.
  • Cold sore activation or spread of irritation may occur in patients with active lesions or certain skin conditions.
  • Results vary individually and cannot be guaranteed.

When to Contact Your Provider

Please call our office promptly if you experience:

  • Excessive pain not relieved by provider-approved over-the-counter medications.
  • Signs of infection such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, pus, or fever.
  • Severe or worsening swelling, blistering, crusting, discoloration, or open areas.
  • Persistent irritation, acne flare, rash, or sensitivity that worsens instead of improving.
  • Any other concerning or unexpected symptoms following treatment.

Seek Immediate or Emergency Care If

  • You experience allergic-type symptoms such as hives, difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, or swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat.
  • You develop rapidly worsening swelling, severe pain, spreading redness, fever, or signs of a serious infection.
  • You feel faint, develop chest pain, shortness of breath, or any other severe systemic symptoms.

Follow-Up Care

  • Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments so your provider can monitor your skin and assess your results.
  • Results and timing vary by individual, treatment area, treatment plan, and baseline skin condition.
  • Maintenance treatments may be recommended every 4 to 6 weeks or as directed by your provider.
  • Your provider may recommend pairing dermaplaning with a Haus Ritual Facial, Hydrafacial, peel, or other skin treatment when appropriate.
  • Discuss additional treatments, maintenance plans, or alternative options with your provider if needed.

FAQ

Q: Will my hair grow back thicker or darker?

A: No. Dermaplaning removes fine vellus hair at the surface and does not change the structure, color, or thickness of the hair follicle.

Q: Is dermaplaning painful?

A: Dermaplaning should not be painful. Most patients feel a light scraping sensation during treatment.

Q: How often can I receive dermaplaning?

A: Frequency varies by skin type, goals, and treatment plan. Many patients schedule dermaplaning every 4 to 6 weeks or as recommended by their provider.

Q: Can dermaplaning be combined with other treatments?

A: Yes, when appropriate. Dermaplaning is often combined with Haus Ritual facials, Hydrafacial, or select skin treatments based on your skin condition and provider recommendation.

Q: Is there downtime?

A: There is typically little to no downtime, though mild redness, dryness, or sensitivity can occur.

Summary

Dermaplaning can be a helpful treatment option when performed for the right candidate with proper preparation, realistic expectations, and appropriate follow-up care.

If you have any questions or concerns before or after your treatment, please contact our office.

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