DIY Dermaplaning
Raise your hand if you love our dermaplane before and after photos just as much as we do. After removing all of the peach fuzz and dead skin from our face, a quick 45-minute dermaplane always leaves us feeling 5-pounds lighter.😜
Dermaplaning has grown to be a very popular skincare treatment. So much so, it’s one of our most requested treatments at Gameela Skin. As the service has grown in popularity, so have the DIY dermaplane trends by beauty bloggers everywhere. As with many popular skincare treatments {especially those that involve scalpels} we recommend avoiding jumping on the DIY dermaplaning bandwagon, and booking an appointment with a professional esthetician.
What is Dermaplaning
Before we list all the reasons why we don’t recommend DIY dermaplaning, we’ll give you a crash course on what dermaplaning is and all of the pros that come with it.
Not only is dermaplaning one of the most effective solutions for exfoliation and hair removal, but it is also one of the few skincare treatments that provide *instant* gratification - something we all want more of.
By definition, dermaplaning is a highly effective exfoliation procedure. The treatment uses a sterile, surgical scalpel (or fine razor) to gently "shave" the skin's surface, removing dead skin cells and unwanted hair from the face. It’s different {& much more effective} than using a standard razor, as the surgical scalpel safely removes many more layers of skin.
Advantages of Dermaplaning
The pros to dermaplaning are endless. A few of our favorite advantages of dermaplaning include:
Skin Rejuvenation: As dermaplaning removes the top-most layer of {dead} skin cells, it triggers the body to begin the healing process. This means new, healthy skin cells will replace the old ones, putting that natural glow back in your skin.
Improved Skin Texture: This goes hand in hand with the rejuvenation process. If you have uneven skin tone or dry patches, the rejuvenation process that occurs after dermaplaning can help repair these problem areas. We recommend scheduling a dermaplane every 4-5 weeks to see long term results.
Skincare products are more effective! Professional exfoliation allows your products to penetrate deeper into the skin, making them that much more effective. When we avoid exfoliation, our products have a hard time making it past the layer(s) of dead skin and are therefore not as effective. This is why we recommend light exfoliation 2-3 times per week.
Avoid DIY Dermaplaning
Despite the many advantages of dermaplaning, if the treatment is not performed by a skincare professional, there can be long lasting negative side effects. These include:
Skin Damage: As we mentioned above, dermaplaning is performed with a 10-inch surgical scalpel. Estheticians are highly trained in using this type of scalpel. As opposed to someone who is attempting a DIY dermaplane, we are well aware of the proper technique(s) to handle the blade and how to use it on the skin during a dermaplane treatment. If the treatment is not performed by a reputable esthetician who is experienced in handling a blade or scalpel, you risk cutting or nicking yourself. Dead skin and peach fuzz will then be the least of your worries.
Aggravated skin: As dermaplaning is a safe skincare treatment with very little side effects, it may not be right for your skin type. If you are experiencing breakouts, cystic acne, or have previously used Accutane, we recommend against dermaplaning. A skincare professional will be able to assess your skin type and identify any underlying skin or health problems to determine whether or not you might be a good candidate for the procedure.
Not Effective: Majority of the at-home DIY dermaplaning kits on the market are not sold with the proper medical grade scalpels (& for good reason). With that being said, the at-home DIY dermaplane treatment will only last a few days (vs 4-5 weeks). The high-end, surgical scalpels used at Gameela Skin for dermaplaning have the ability to shave off several layers of dead skin cells and therefore give long lasting results.
Our Takeaway
Beauty “dupes” and DIY hacks that are sold as “safe to perform at home”, do not have your best interest at heart. DIY skin and beauty treatments can lead to irreversible skin damage, irritated skin, infection, & more. Trust me, we’ve seen it all one too many times. If you’re considering an invasive DIY skincare treatment in the comfort of your own home, we highly recommend against it. Instead, wash your face, put on a safe at-home mask, and call your esthetician.