Dermaplaning is a procedure used to remove the top layer of skin on the face. It is sometimes described as a “manual exfoliation technique.” Dermaplaning is intended to remove dead skin cells and vellus or “peach fuzz” hair.
In dermaplaning, your treatment provider uses a sterile scalpel to shave the surface of the skin and remove both the vellus hair and top layer of the skin. It is done only on the face, and it typically takes around thirty minutes. It is not done to shape eyebrows, since those are made of terminal hairs and not vellus hair. Nor is dermaplaning done on the nose. Dermaplaning can be done once a month.
The skin is kept taut throughout treatment and we will concentrate on one area to make sure no part of the face is done more than once. Afterwards, we will remove any excess skin and hair. Afterwards, we will apply a moisturizer and some sunblock. The patient should avoid the sun for at least 48 hours after the procedure and wear sunblock when outside.
What are the Benefits of Dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning helps get rid of excess fine hairs that can trap and accumulate oil and dirt. It also makes the skin smoother and brighter by getting rid of dead skin cells. It is especially helpful for people with dry or rough skin. Dermaplaning can be used to treat minor scarring.
Who Should Not Undergo Dermaplaning?
People with a lot of acne should not undergo dermaplaning because the procedure can exacerbate the acne by stimulating the sebaceous glands. People with acne also need their vellus hairs to get rid of the oil that accumulates under their skin. People with a lot facial hair are not ideal candidates for dermaplaning.
What are the Differences between Dermaplaning, Shaving and Dermabrasion?
While dermaplaning is sometimes described as shaving the skin, real shaving uses a razor that has blades that are much duller than that of the scalpel used in dermaplaning. The provider doing the dermaplaning also has to use short strokes in given angles, and he has to move the scalpel in particular patterns depending on the part of the face being worked on.
While dermabrasion also involves removal of the top layer of the skin, the procedure does not use a scalpel. Instead, he uses a rotating brush spinning at high speed. While dermaplaning can be used to treat acne scars, dermabrasion can be used to treat scars caused by surgery or accidents, and it can be used to smooth wrinkles. Dermabrasion is also used to remove keratoses, which are a type of growth.
Dermabrasion and dermaplaning can both be done on the whole face or just a small part of it. Both procedures can be done separately or along with another procedure like a chemical peel or facelift. During your consultation, we’ll create a treatment plan that is tailored to your aesthetic needs. Contact Institute of Aesthetic Surgery today to schedule your consultation.