How to Prepare for Your Dermaplaning Service

Dermaplaning is one of the hottest skin care services in the industry right now. So much so, that you've probably overheard your neighbor Jill, among others, raving about how soft and smooth their skin felt after their treatment. 

Dermaplaning is not new though. Women in Japan have been using facial "shaving" as an anti-aging treatment for decades. It has only recently taken the Western world by storm. 

So what is dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is a maximum (physical) exfoliation method that gently removes dead skin cells and vellus facial hair by stroking a blade along the skin. 

(Click here to watch my 60-second dermaplaning video.)

 
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Sound scary? I hear you, but honestly, it's nothing short of spectacular. When performed by a trained professional (and I must stress - a trained, licensed professional), the results leave your skin feeling baby soft, radiant, and more youthful than before you entered the spa. 

So you eavesdropped on Jill and now you're itching to try the service out for yourself, but how do you prepare?

Before Your Dermaplaning Treatment

Before any exfoliation treatment, it's important to find out what the do's and don'ts are before and after the service. 

1. Book a consultation

If you have never received a dermaplaning session before, it is in your best interest to seek professional advice before scheduling a treatment. 

While there is little to no downtime, and hardly any contraindications for dermaplaning, a pre-service chat is always advised. 

(Click here to schedule a complimentary consultation at Beauty by Allison today.)

2. Discontinue any manual or chemical exfoliation 3-5 days prior to service. 

At-home facial care accounts for 50% of the results you yield. If you are currently using any retinol, exfoliating serums, enzymes, facial polishes, or scrubs - discontinue use. 

 
Discontinue use of this 5-7 days prior to service. 

Discontinue use of this 5-7 days prior to service. 

 

Over exfoliation can cause acne breakouts, hyper/hypo pigmentation, redness, and dry skin.

Skin cells take time to renew and you must allow them to do so before receiving a maximum exfoliation service. 

3. Avoid direct sun exposure for 5-7 days prior to service. 

Have you ever shaved over a sunburn? How did that feel? 

Imagine doing so with a blade at least 10X sharper than an at-home razor. 

While we do recommend sun exposure (in moderation), it can damage cells and leave them more sensitive than normal. 

4. Schedule your Botox or filler after your service.

The only reason you're reading this article is that you care about the health and longevity of your skin. That being said, you may be receiving Botox or filler to enhance your beauty. 

Do not schedule your injectable services prior to receiving a dermaplaning treatment. 

 
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There is a 4-hour window after Botox injections in which you are not permitted to lie down. After filler, you must wait 3-4 days to receive any facial treatments to ensure placement of the product. 

If you are in the Austin area and looking for a master injector, please check out Marie Finger. (She used to train doctors to inject!)

5. Schedule facial waxing 1-2 weeks prior to service. 

Facial epilation such as waxing, sugar, and threading should be scheduled at least 7 days prior to service or 14 days post service. 

If waxing services are scheduled to remove unwanted vellus facial hair, you may forego the appointment altogether, if you'd like. Dermaplaning does not target hair follicles and will not hinder growth, but spending money on both services every month may prove frivolous.

Epilation (removal of hair from follicle) received for "whiskers" around the chin is advised before service - within the appropriate time frame. 

Dermaplaning blades can be difficult to glide over terminal hair and are not intended to do so. 

It is important to note that waxing and sugaring both remove some dead skin cell particles and act as a mild exfoliant. Threading can cause irritation if scheduled too close to any exfoliation treatment. 

Schedule your appointments accordingly to ensure your skin is healthy and happy. 

6. Reschedule your appointment if you have open wounds or acne lesions.

This one's easy. We're using a sterile scalpel blade to remove hair and skin cells - we do not want to be shaving over open wounds. 

If you are unsure if you should reschedule, send your service provider an email with some photos of your skin and let her assess. 

Do not show up the day of your appointment with open acne or lesions. Your appointment will undoubtedly be rescheduled and you may be subject to a cancellation fee. 

 
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7. Wait 6 months after completion of Accutane to receive any exfoliation treatment. 

Accutane increases the fragility and sensitivity of the skin. The risk for infection, trauma, or damage is greater while taking this medication and the duration it takes for it to remove fully from your system. 

Advisement is to wait 6-12 months after completion before receiving any treatments that remove epidermal skin cells (waxing, microdermabrasion, dermaplaning).

8. Tell all your friends!

Recently I had a client who went on vacation with her sisters shortly after receiving her first dermaplaning treatment. Besides her daughter, the entirety of her family lives out of state. 

She told me that one morning over breakfast her sister said, "How is it you have absolutely no facial hair? We all have the same parents and yet you're the only one with a perfectly hairless face!"

Needless to say, this made me crack up!

Yes, I'm sure it would be nice to give all your family and friends skin envy, but let's support the sharing of love. Tell your friends so they can try it out and have some fun too. 

Even better, make it an event and take your bestie with!

Allison Bingham