Dermaplaning involves the use of a surgical scalpel to exfoliate the skin’s top layer of dead cells and impurities and scrape off vellus hair, resulting in smooth and glowing skin. The treatment is highly popular because it provides instantaneous results with no downtime, allowing people to transform their looks before significant events.
Though safe and non-invasive, the treatment’s effectiveness depends on proper aftercare. This article provides dermaplaning aftercare tips to help you enjoy the full benefits of the treatment.
What Should You Do After Dermaplaning?
The following guidelines will help you better plan your activities after the procedure.
What to Do Immediately After Dermaplaning?
Immediate aftercare usually requires more rigorous and intensive skin care because the skin is freshly exfoliated and very sensitive. These are the aftercare recommendations for the first 24-48 hours.
1. Use Gentle Skincare Products
After dermaplaning, the skin is often sensitive and dry so use only essential products in your skincare routine - a cleanser, serum/moisturizer, and sunscreen. Ensure the products are mild, without acids, retinol, or other potentially abrasive ingredients. Follow this routine for at least 48 hours post-procedure.
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2. Wash with Lukewarm Water
After washing your face with a mild, non-foaming cleanser, rinse with lukewarm or cool water. Hot water can feel unpleasant, strip the skin of natural oils, and cause redness and inflammation.
3. Pat Dry the Skin
After washing your face, gently pat dry with a towel instead of rubbing it.
4. Hydrate Your Skin
Though a gentle treatment, dermaplaning scrapes the skin’s surface, leaving it drier and more sensitive than usual. Apply moisturizing products whenever you feel the skin is tight and dry to help it heal. Choose serums and moisturizers with rich hydrating agents, such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, and aloe vera.
5. Use SPF
Sunscreen is your best defense against skin damage from UV rays. Use it whenever you leave the house, especially after cosmetic treatments that make your skin vulnerable, like dermaplaning. For best protection, use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ products.
Note: Don’t know which sunscreen to pick? Read our blog post on how to choose the best sunscreen for your skin type.
6. Hydrate Your Body
Topical products that nurture your skin are essential after dermaplaning. Another important factor is hydrating your body from within. While your skin is healing, drink at least eight glasses of water throughout the day and eat fresh fruits and vegetables with a high water content.
7. Rest
Always aim to get seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep during the night, especially after a cosmetic treatment, when your skin needs more attention and nurturing. Lack of rest and poor-quality sleep minimize the effects of dermaplaning.
8. Sleep on a Clean Pillow
After dermaplaning, your skin is more vulnerable to irritation and infection. Use a freshly washed pillowcase to avoid potential bacteria transfer. If possible, use a silk or satin pillowcase to minimize friction and irritation.
9. Avoid Strenuous Exercise
Your skin after dermaplaning is raw and prone to infections from impurities and bacteria. Skin experts recommend avoiding high-intensity activities 24 hours after the treatment because they cause excessive sweating and increase the chances of dirt and bacteria entering the pores.
What to Do One Week After Dermaplaning?
Patients need to follow appropriate aftercare guidelines to ensure the best results. Providers recommend sticking to them for at least one week after dermaplaning.
1. Continue Using Sunscreen
Applying broad-spectrum, SPF 30+ sunscreen when outside is the single most important aftercare tip to protect the skin from sun damage and prevent hyperpigmentation. It is always necessary to use it, but especially after cosmetic treatments like dermaplaning.
2. Use Gentle, Hydrating Skin Care
Proper hydration remains essential, so make sure to use serums and creams with potent hydrating and barrier-strengthening agents, including hyaluronic acid, ceramides, probiotics, prebiotics, niacinamide, and more.
Our skin experts at Vibrant Skin recommend Desert Vibe, a moisture-boosting serum that reduces inflammation, improves wound healing, and binds more moisture than hyaluronic acid.
3. Avoid Harsh Scrubs
Don’t use scrubs with mechanical exfoliants and grainy ingredients (e.g., salt, sugar, coffee) because they can cause micro-tears, irritation, and dryness.
4. Avoid Powerful Active Ingredients
One week after dermaplaning, your skin is still too sensitive for strong actives like AHAs, BHAs, and retinol. They may over-dry and irritate the newly exposed skin. Allow it to fully recover before resuming your regular skin care routine.
What to Avoid After Dermaplaning?
It is also important to avoid certain things in your daily routine to enhance dermaplaning effects.
1. Don't Expose Your Skin to Sun and High Heat
Ultraviolet rays are particularly harsh on newly resurfaced skin after dermaplaning. Avoid it for the first several days, and if you must go out, wear an SPF, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses. Also, avoid saunas and other sources of high heat because they cause excessive sweating and increase the chance of infections.
2. Don’t Use Exfoliating Products
Avoid scrubs and exfoliating cleansers with AHAs, BHAs, and enzyme peels, especially in the first week.
3. Don’t Use Acne Creams
Acne products may contain retinoids, salicylic acid, and other harsh ingredients that tend to over-dry and irritate sensitive skin. Wait until your skin has fully healed.
4. Don't Apply Pressure to Your Skin
Touching, rubbing, scratching, and picking the skin after dermaplaning increases the chance of irritation and spreading dirt and bacteria over a sensitive area.
5. Don't Expose Your Skin to Chlorine/Avoid Swimming Pools
Chlorine can additionally dry out sensitive skin after dermaplaning. Avoid places with chlorinated water, such as swimming pools, at least three days after the treatment.
6. Don’t Use Makeup
Refrain from using makeup for 24 hours because your skin needs to “breathe” to fully heal after dermaplaning.
7. Don't Do Other Facial Treatments
Avoid other facial treatments for two weeks after dermaplaning to prevent skin irritation. This also includes waxing and laser hair removal on the face.
Dermaplaning Aftercare FAQ
The following information will help you determine if dermaplaning is right for you.
How Long After Dermaplaning Can I Wash My Face?
You can safely wash your face the same day after treatment. Proper cleansing helps maintain skin hygiene and reduces the risk of infection. However, make sure to wash your face properly. Use a mild, non-foaming cleanser, lukewarm water, and very light motions. Pat your skin dry with a clean, soft towel and avoid rubbing.
How Long After Dermaplaning Can I Wear Makeup?
You can wear makeup 24-48 hours after dermaplaning. During this initial period, the open pores are more prone to clogging and infection. After a day or two, when redness and irritation subside and the pores tighten, it is safer to wear light, non-comedogenic makeup.
Can I Ice My Face After Dermaplaning?
You can apply ice and cold compresses if you experience swelling and pain after dermaplaning. The cold will help soothe sore, irritated skin. However, you should never apply ice directly on the skin. Wrap it in a cloth and gently place on the treated area.
Can I Work Out After Dermaplaning?
Medical providers recommend avoiding intense exercise that causes sweating and raises your heart rate for at least 24 hours after dermaplaning. You can engage in light activity, such as walking. After 24-48 hours, you can resume your usual workout routine.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is a gentle treatment that causes no downtime. Common side effects, such as mild redness, irritation, and dry skin, typically go away after 24-48 hours. Some aftercare tips are recommended for longer to prevent irritation.
Conclusion
Dermaplaning provides a quick solution for dull, tired skin, but you need to follow aftercare recommendations for optimal results.
If you’re in the area, visit our offices in the heart of Arcadia and let us transform your skin from dull to vibrant and glowing in less than an hour!
