Whether you want to get rid of your peach fuzz or your chemical exfoliants aren’t cutting it, learning how to dermaplane at home can help you get smoother and more even-toned skin. The facial exfoliation technique removes both hair and dead skin from the surface of the face, making your skin care products absorb more effectively and your makeup apply more smoothly. But before you start to DIY, there are some important things to know.
For starters, the sensitive skin on your face is way more delicate than other areas you might shave—that’s why it’s best to think of dermaplaning as a precise skin care practice. With the right prep and technique, you can reap all the benefits of this once clinic-exclusive dermatology practice at home.
Ready for the glass skin of your dreams? Here’s everything you need to know about how to dermaplane at home like a pro, sans irritation or nicks.
What is dermaplaning?
Originally an in-office procedure, dermaplaning has now been adapted to be safe for at-home use. Dermatologists will typically use a surgical scalpel, applied with steady pressure, to remove layers of dead skin cells and peach fuzz for the ultimate exfoliation treatment. At home you’ll use a dermaplane razor instead, which is duller and safer.
“Dermaplaning is a form of exfoliation that removes dead skin and the peach fuzz from your skin, leaving it soft and smooth,” says Katie Mann, DNP, owner of Curated Medical Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Sometimes dead skin sitting on the surface can make your skin appear dry or flaky when really it just needs to be exfoliated.”
Dermaplaning, simply put, is “exfoliating at its best,” says dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, a clinical professor of dermatology at Yale College of Medicine. She suggests it for anyone who wants to reduce the look of fine lines and pores, get a more even skin tone, and create the perfect primed canvas for makeup.
Can you dermaplane at home?
Yes, you can dermaplane at home. “The devices that have been introduced for at-home use are more razor-like than the surgical blades,” says Loretta Ciraldo, MD, dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta Skincare. This means you’ll be getting more surface-level skin-cell removal, making it a lot safer to do on your own.