Dermaplaning: Treatment Advice & Aftercare

Gentle Exfoliation & Removal of Fine Facial Hair

Dermaplaning is a manual exfoliation treatment that uses a sterile surgical blade held at a controlled angle to gently remove dead surface skin cells and fine vellus hair, often known as peach fuzz.

It can leave the skin feeling smoother and looking brighter and can help makeup and skincare apply more evenly.

Dermaplaning does not change the structure of the hair follicle, so the fine facial hair will not grow back thicker, darker or coarser.

Before Your Treatment

To help keep your skin calm before dermaplaning:

• Avoid strong exfoliating acids, scrubs and retinoids for a few days beforehand, particularly if your skin is sensitive.

• Avoid waxing or other treatments that have left the area irritated.

• Avoid deliberate tanning and don't attend with sunburn.

• Don't pick or squeeze spots before your appointment.

• Tell us about any prescription or medicated skincare you're using.

• Tell us if you're taking or have recently taken prescription acne medication such as isotretinoin.

• Let us know about any allergies, skin conditions or unusual sensitivity.

• Tell us about recent peels, laser, microneedling, injectables or other advanced facial treatments.

• Let us know if your skin or health has changed since your consultation.

You don't need to shave or remove facial hair before your appointment.

Is Dermaplaning Suitable for Everyone?

Dermaplaning can be suitable for many skin types, but treatment may need to be adapted or postponed if you have:

• active or inflamed acne

• pustules or cystic breakouts

• an active cold sore

• a skin infection

• open or broken skin

• sunburn

• significant irritation or inflammation

• an active flare of eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis or rosacea

• very fragile or compromised skin

• a condition affecting normal skin healing

• recently had an advanced skin treatment or facial procedure

• recently used isotretinoin or another treatment that has significantly affected your skin barrier.

Having sensitive or rosacea-prone skin doesn't automatically mean you cannot have dermaplaning. We will assess your skin and decide whether the treatment should be adapted, postponed or avoided.

Dermaplaning & Active Acne

Dermaplaning isn't generally performed directly over active, inflamed acne lesions.

Passing a blade across inflamed spots can cause unnecessary irritation and potentially disrupt the lesions.

If you have occasional isolated spots, we may simply work around them. More widespread inflammatory acne may be better suited to another facial or skin treatment until it has settled.

What Does Dermaplaning Feel Like?

Dermaplaning shouldn't be painful.

You'll usually feel a gentle scraping or brushing sensation as the blade passes across the surface of the skin.

Most clients find the treatment comfortable and relaxing.

What Should I Expect Afterwards?

Immediately afterwards your skin may look and feel:

• smoother

• softer

• brighter

• temporarily pink

• slightly warm or sensitive

• a little tighter or drier than usual.

Most clients experience little to no downtime, although more sensitive skin can remain pink for longer.

Will My Hair Grow Back Thicker?

No — Dermaplaning Doesn't Change Your Hair Growth

Dermaplaning removes hair at the surface of the skin. It doesn't alter the hair follicle beneath the skin or change the type of hair it produces.

Your facial hair will therefore grow back with the same underlying colour, thickness and growth pattern it had before treatment.

As the hair grows back, the cut end can occasionally feel slightly different initially, but dermaplaning cannot turn fine vellus hair into coarse terminal hair.

Aftercare

For the first few days after dermaplaning, treat your skin gently.

We recommend:

• using a gentle cleanser

• keeping the skin well moisturised

• avoiding scrubs and exfoliating brushes

• avoiding strong acids such as AHAs and BHAs

• avoiding retinoids until the skin feels completely settled

• avoiding picking or squeezing the skin

• avoiding waxing or other potentially irritating facial treatments

• avoiding excessive heat if your skin remains flushed or sensitive.

You can gradually return to your usual active skincare once your skin feels completely comfortable again.

Sun Protection

Freshly exfoliated skin can be more sensitive to UV exposure.

Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30–50 every day and avoid deliberate tanning and sunbeds.

This is particularly important if you're prone to pigmentation.

Can I Wear Makeup Afterwards?

Your skin will usually be smoother immediately after dermaplaning, which is one reason makeup can apply particularly well following the treatment.

However, I would recommend leaving the skin makeup-free for the remainder of the day where possible, especially if it is pink or sensitive.

If you do need to apply makeup, wait until the skin has settled and use clean brushes or applicators.

Can I Exercise Afterwards?

Gentle normal activity is fine.

If your skin is red or sensitive, avoid strenuous exercise, excessive sweating, saunas and steam rooms for the remainder of the day, as heat and sweat may increase irritation.

Can Dermaplaning Cause Breakouts?

Some clients can experience small temporary blemishes after dermaplaning, particularly if they're already prone to congestion.

To reduce the risk:

• avoid touching your face unnecessarily

• use clean pillowcases and makeup brushes

• keep skincare simple

• avoid applying lots of new or heavy products immediately afterwards.

If you regularly develop significant breakouts following dermaplaning, let us know so we can assess whether another exfoliation treatment would be more suitable.

How Often Can I Have Dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is commonly repeated approximately every 4–6 weeks, depending on your skin, hair growth and the other treatments in your skincare programme.

It can also be incorporated into selected facials where appropriate.

More frequent treatment isn't necessarily better — your skin needs time to maintain a healthy barrier between exfoliation treatments.

Dermaplaning & Other Skin Treatments

Dermaplaning can sometimes be combined with other treatments, but this should be decided by your practitioner.

Because it removes part of the outermost layer of dead skin, products and treatments applied afterwards may feel more active than usual.

If you're having a peel, microneedling, laser or another advanced procedure, we'll advise on appropriate spacing rather than automatically combining treatments.

When Should I Contact Eco Skin Clinic?

Temporary pinkness and mild sensitivity can be normal following dermaplaning.

Please contact us if you experience:

• significant or increasing redness

• persistent burning or discomfort

• significant swelling

• blistering

• a widespread rash

• signs of infection

• significant or persistent breakouts

• skin that isn't settling as expected

• any other reaction that concerns you.