I am so late to dermaplaning. Dermaplaning has increased in popularity in the last several years and it’s something you can get professionally done. However, if you do not want to pay the money to have it done professionally, it’s something many have been doing at home for years. I was always skeptical and believed the myths (you know the one about hair growing thicker). But after finally caving in and trying it myself, I’ve learned a few things, especially as someone with dry and sensitive skin. So let’s learn how to dermaplane at home for my fellow sensitive-skin people.
If you’re new to dermaplaning or don’t fully understand the concept, dermaplaning requires using a sterilized surgical scalpel tool to gently exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, bacteria, and the vellus hair aka peach fuzz! We all have it. Using the scalpel-like tool requires a professional. However, there are tools you can use to do it at home.
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How To Dermaplane At Home For Sensitive Skin
I was incredibly skeptical about dermaplaning for a number of reasons. For one, I have very dry skin. So I assumed because of my dry sensitive skin dermaplaning would cause irritation. Secondly, I believed that yes, I would be the lucky one to have my vellus hair grow back quicker and thicker. Third, surely my face would feel stubbly.
How wrong was I! Let’s address the biggest myth which is does hair grow back thicker after dermaplaning? After all, it was one of my biggest fears. However, because with dermaplaning you generally go in the direction of hair growth the vellus hair does not grow back thicker. In fact, if you choose to just stop or forget to keep up with dermaplaning your peach fuzz grows back the same as it was before.
If you have dry skin and you’re afraid of dermaplaning because of possible irritation – I suggest giving oil planning a try! The best oil to use is jojoba oil as it does a great job of keeping the skin calm and reducing redness. Jojoba oil is lightweight and doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy. Using a light layer of this and then dermaplaning you should experience little to no irritation.
So should you dermaplane on wet or dry skin? That’s up to how sensitive and how your skin feels. You can dermaplane on damp skin, dry skin, or on skin with a light layer of oil.
When I dermaplane I personally do it on damp-dry skin. My skin does get irritated a bit but nothing too bad. Some redness and itchiness but once I ice roll, and apply my facial oil and moisturizer my skin calms down and starts to feel good.
How Often Should You Dermaplane At Home?
First, you may be wondering if it’s even OK to dermaplane at home. And the answer is, yes! Dermaplaning at home is fine as long as you continue to take care of your skin to avoid any breakouts.
Dermaplaning at home should be done at minimum once every 1x – 3x a week. As I have said, I dermaplane once every two-three weeks. Because you’re exfoliating the outermost layer of your skin you don’t want to over-exfoliate and cause excess dryness and skin irritation.
When dermaplaning at home, you want to use a razor specifically made for your face such as this pack from Kitsch. The great thing is that dermaplaning tools are so easily available almost everywhere.
Dermaplaning Aftercare & Do’s & Don’ts
When dermaplaning you want to start off on clean skin (the skin can be dry or as said above you can use a thin layer of oil), hold your skin taught and hold the dermaplaner on a 45 deg. angle, and using small downward stroke motions gently start dermaplaning. You don’t want to rush the process take your time and again I iterate work in small sections. Working in small sections will help to avoid any cuts. And do not dermaplane over any open wounds or cuts. This will cause more irritation to the skin.
After dermaplaning it’s best to avoid any active ingredients such as BHA’s, retinol, and glycolic acid for at least a week depending on how sensitive your skin is. These actives can cause irritation if used immediately after. Instead, use a hydrating facial oil and moisturizer. Keep your skincare simple.
I love using my ice roller immediately after! It helps calm any redness and soothes my skin. I then follow up with face oil and moisturizer. And if I need to I’ll go ahead and ice roll once again after my skincare has settled in.
Is Dermaplaning Worth It?
Because they’re so many benefits of dermaplaning such as reducing the appearance of blemishes and scars, fine lines, and dull skin. You’ll get instant results of brighter smoother-looking skin. The upkeep is minimal since it’s done once every 2-3 weeks and if you’re doing it at home it’s an inexpensive treatment. And the best part is your makeup will look much smoother (have cakey makeup? Try this) and skincare products will absorb better than before. So to conclude, yes dermaplaning is very much worth it!
