Dermaplaning is one of those treatments people hear about, feel curious about, and then talk themselves out of. Usually because of one myth, which we will get to.
Here is what it actually is, what it does, who it suits, and what to expect if you book one. If you are still deciding between treatments, our guide to what facials actually do is the wider picture.
The short version
Dermaplaning uses a sterile blade held at an angle to remove dead surface skin and fine facial hair. It involves no downtime and leaves skin smoother and brighter with makeup sitting better. Results last roughly three to four weeks. Peach fuzz does not grow back thicker or darker afterward, though it can feel blunter as it returns. Daily broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher is essential in the days following, and actives should be paused for two to three days.
What Dermaplaning Is
A sterile, single use blade is held at an angle against the skin and drawn across it in short, controlled strokes. It lifts away two things at once: the layer of dead cells sitting on the surface, and the fine, soft facial hair most people call peach fuzz.
That is the whole treatment. No heat, no chemicals, no downtime. It can be booked on its own or added to a facial.
It should feel like light pressure and a faint scraping sound near your ears. It should not hurt. If it does, say so, because that means the angle or pressure needs adjusting.
What It Is Not
It is not shaving your face at home. The blade, the angle, the technique, and the sterility are all different. Home tools take off hair. Professional dermaplaning removes the dead skin layer as well, which is where most of the result comes from.
It is not hair removal for coarse hair. Dermaplaning addresses fine vellus hair. Coarse hair on the chin or upper lip is better handled with waxing or threading, and dermaplaning is not a substitute for either.
It is not a deep treatment. It works at the surface. If your concern is texture that runs deeper than the top layer, microdermabrasion is usually the better starting point.
The Peach Fuzz Myth
This is the one that stops people booking, so here it is plainly.
Hair does not grow back thicker, darker, or coarser after dermaplaning.
What happens is that hair which was cut straight across at the surface can feel blunter as it returns, compared to the soft tapered tip it had before. That change in feel is where the impression comes from. The hair itself is unchanged in thickness, colour, and rate of growth, because nothing has happened below the surface where those things are determined.
Within a couple of weeks the fuzz is back to feeling the way it did before.
What You Actually Notice Afterward
Smoothness, immediately. This is the one people comment on first. Skin feels different to the touch the moment the treatment ends.
Makeup sits better. Foundation stops catching on fuzz and settling into texture. If you wear makeup, this is often the most noticeable benefit for the next week or two.
Brightness. Removing a layer of dull surface cells makes skin look fresher and reflect light more evenly.
Products absorb more readily. Serums do not have to work through a layer of buildup first.
The effect lasts roughly three to four weeks, which is why it tends to be booked on that cycle.
Who It Suits
Most skin types do well with it, and it is a good option if you want visible smoothness without downtime or sensitivity afterward.
It is especially popular before a wedding, a photo shoot, an event, or any occasion where makeup needs to sit properly. Our bridal beauty timeline sets out where it belongs in the months before a wedding.
Mention it when you book if:
- You are having an active breakout, or your acne is inflamed. The blade can aggravate it, and we will usually suggest a different treatment for that visit.
- You have an active cold sore or any broken skin on your face.
- You are sunburned or peeling.
- You use prescription acne medication, or recently stopped one.
- You have had any other facial treatment in the past two weeks.
None of these are automatic no answers. They just change what we do, and they belong on your intake form so your esthetician can plan around them.
What Happens During the Appointment
Consultation. Your intake form is reviewed and your skin is looked at closely before anything begins.
Cleansing. Twice. Skin has to be completely clean and dry for the blade to work correctly.
The dermaplaning itself. Section by section, in short strokes, with your skin held taut.
Finishing. Something soothing and hydrating, then sun protection.
You will be told what is happening before each stage. On a first appointment, ask anything you want as it goes. What to expect on a first visit covers the rest of it, from the intake form to how the room works.
Aftercare
Your skin has just had its top protective layer removed, so it is more exposed than usual for a few days.
Sunscreen, without exception. Broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher, daily, and reapplied if you are outdoors. This matters more after dermaplaning than at almost any other time.
Skip actives for two to three days. No retinol, no acids, no scrubs.
Avoid heat for twenty four hours. Hot showers, saunas, steam, and hard workouts.
Leave makeup off for the rest of the day if you can, so skin can settle.
Do not exfoliate. The treatment already did that.
Some mild redness or a slightly warm feeling right afterward is normal and usually settles within a few hours. Your esthetician will walk you through the specifics before you leave.
How Often to Book
Every three to four weeks suits most people. That interval lines up with both the return of the vellus hair and the skin's own renewal cycle, which runs roughly 28 days.
Booking much closer together does not give skin enough time to rebuild what was removed. Leaving it much longer is fine, it just means the smoothness has worn off before your next appointment.
If you are booking for an event, aim for two to three days ahead rather than the morning of. That gives any redness time to settle while the smoothness is still at its peak. And if you have never had it before, do not schedule your first one in the week before something important.
Dermaplaning or Microdermabrasion
They both leave skin smoother, which is why they get confused.
| Comparison | Dermaplaning | Microdermabrasion |
|---|---|---|
| Removes fine facial hair | Yes | No |
| Works at | The surface | Slightly deeper |
| Best for | Smoothness, makeup application, instant brightness | Rough texture, dullness, buildup |
| Feels like | Light pressure, no discomfort | Mild abrasion or suction |
| Downtime | None | None, occasional brief redness |
If your main complaint is peach fuzz and makeup that will not sit right, book dermaplaning. If it is texture and dullness that has not responded to your routine, start with microdermabrasion. If you are not sure, book a skin care consultation and let someone look at your skin first, or read which facial should you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does peach fuzz grow back thicker after dermaplaning?
No. Hair cut at the surface can feel blunter as it returns, which is where the impression comes from, but the hair does not change in thickness, colour, or growth rate.
Does dermaplaning hurt?
It should not. Most people describe it as light pressure with a faint scraping sound. If anything feels uncomfortable, tell your esthetician so the angle or pressure can be adjusted.
How long does dermaplaning last?
Roughly three to four weeks, which is when most people book their next appointment.
Can I dermaplane at home instead?
Home tools are not the same as a professional treatment in blade, technique, or sterility, and the risk of irritation and uneven results is higher. The dead skin removal that produces most of the benefit is also difficult to achieve on your own.
Can I get dermaplaning if I have acne?
If your acne is actively inflamed, we will usually recommend a different treatment for that visit, since the blade can aggravate it. Mention it on your intake form and your esthetician will advise.
How soon before a wedding or event should I book?
Two to three days ahead. That leaves time for any redness to settle while the smoothness is still at its best. Do not book a first ever treatment in the final week before an event.
Can dermaplaning be added to a facial?
Yes, and it is often booked that way. Ask when you book so enough time is allowed.
Do I need sunscreen afterward?
Yes, and it matters more than usual. Freshly dermaplaned skin has had its top protective layer removed, so daily broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher is essential for the following days.
Smoother Skin, No Downtime
Better makeup, brighter skin, and nothing to recover from. It is a straightforward treatment, and the one myth about it is not true.