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Don’t feel bad about having dead skin on your face. Everyone has them.

Our skin undergoes a 30-day cycle wherein the epidermis (uppermost layer of the skin) sheds and reveals new skin from the dermis (middle layer of the skin).

It’s a totally natural process.

In fact, an average 35,000 skin cells shed off you every minute.That’s around 9 pounds of dead skin cells each year. The dust you clean all over your house? Up to 90% of that dirt is actually dead skin cells.

If dead skin cells are so natural, why is it a problem to many people then?

Well, the problem begins when dead skin cells don’t completely shed. When this happens, you’ll suffer from clogged pores, flaky skin, or dry patches.

The good news is all you need to do is exfoliate to remove dead skin cells and achieve smoother and softer skin.

Exfoliation can be done with:

  • Chemicals (like Alpha hydroxy acids/AHAs, Beta hydroxy acids/BHAs, or enzymes) work by dissolving dead skin
  • A tool (called exfoliators) removes dead skin manually. This tool can be as simple as a washcloth, or as complex as battery-operated facial brushes.
  • Professional exfoliation procedures (like ultrasound or microdermabrasion)

Your chosen method of exfoliation must go with your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, synthetic acids with aggressive ingredients would make matters worse. People with dry skin would benefit from a good mix of AHAs, BHAs and jojoba beads.

People with well-balanced skin have more exfoliation options…one of which is a physical exfoliation procedure called dermaplaning.

Dermaplaning has been around for decades, mostly in Japan and other parts of Asia. While this facial treatment was used by classic beauties like Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe, this professional skin care technique was only embraced recently in aesthetic clinics around the UK, Europe and USA.

Is dermaplaning right for you? Read on to find out.

What Is Dermaplaning?

Also known as “microplaning and blading,” “dermablading,” or “epidermal levelling,” dermaplaning is an exfoliation method that involves shaving of the top dead layer of skin.

Dermaplaning is performed professionally by a dermatologist as a non-invasive, aesthetic facial treatment, or done in the comforts of your own home using a dermaplane facial kit.

When done in a clinic or spa, a surgical scalpel is used in scraping off dead skin and facial hair (also known as the peach fuzz). The at-home dermaplaning tools look similar to traditional scalpels, but often made using a mix of plastic and stainless steel.

What Does Dermaplaning Do?

Simply put, the goal of dermaplaning is to exfoliate dead skin cells properly.

Whether you decide to get a dermaplane at the spa, or experiment dermaplaning at home, you’re still going to reap the same benefits of dermaplaning, such as:

  • Smoother skin – Any effective exfoliation should make your skin look and feel smoother. It reduces the look of fine lines and the appearance of acne scars.
  • Embrace the “radiant glow” for up to a month – Each dermaplane facial will leave your face feeling fresh and glowing for three to four weeks.
  • Apply makeup effortlessly – You’d be surprised how well your foundation, creams and other facial products are absorbed after dermaplaning.
  • Prevent future acne – Facial hair traps in oils and dirt (which causes acne). If you remove the peach fuzz regularly, you’re helping your skin avoid acne.

Dermaplaning provides instant results regardless of skin type or complexion. However, those with enflamed acne will have to wait until their skin clears up because dermaplaning could make acne a lot worse.

What to Expect During and After the Procedure?

If you have fear of Sweeney Todd or sharp things near your face, dermaplaning might scare you at first. But once you’re undergoing the treatment, you’ll quickly learn that it’s painless from start to finish.

Each dermaplaning session takes about 15 to 30 minutes. It begins with a mild cleanser (usually alpha-hydroxy acid) to loosen dead skin cells. When ready, you’ll feel a weird (but light) sensation of the blade as it moves all over your face.

Immediately after dermaplaning, your skin will be treated with moisturizer. You will be asked to protect your skin with sunscreen before going outside since the protective outer layer of your skin was removed during the treatment.

Make sure to give your skin time to complete its 30-day rejuvenation cycle before going back for another dermaplaning session. If you don’t, your skin might end up peeling slightly.

How Much Does It Cost At A Spa?

Dermaplaning fees range between $50 and $300 per session with an average dermaplaning cost of $125. In most spas or derma clinics, this treatment is packaged by other professional skin care procedures like chemical peel, collagen mask, and so on.

Dermaplaning cost will vary depending on location, popularity of the spa, experience of the therapist, or whether dermaplaning is being performed in combination with other treatments.

Can I Dermaplane At Home?

Because dermaplaning is recommended every 3 to 4 weeks, many women prefer to dermaplane at home.

But, is it safe to dermaplane at home? The answer would be yes, and no.

Yes, dermaplaning is absolutely safe. The plethora of dermaplaning device available in the market is designed to make the procedure as hassle-free and safe as possible.

However, there are instances wherein dermaplaning may not be a good idea. These include:

  • Skin with acne – If you have acne or even just a pimple or two, you’ll unintentionally spread germs all over your face while dermaplaning. This also goes for people who have eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis.
  • People with excessive facial hair – Removal of peach fuzz is definitely one of the benefits of dermaplaning. But those with hirsutism, PCOS or other hormone problems that cause excessive facial hair find this treatment leads to soreness, inflammation, or ingrown hairs.
  • Newbies – If this is your first time to try a beauty treatment, don’t do it on your own. The assessment done in clinics not only helps determine your skin type, but also confirms if dermaplaning is right for you or not.
  • Heavy hands – Dermaplaning requires you to move the scalpel gently with the blade at a 45-degree angle at all times. Not doing so could cause bruising, inflammation, or even scrapes and cuts.

If you’re new to dermaplaning, it’s best to visit a spa to learn how to dermaplane at home safely.

Where Can I Buy Dermaplaning Tools?

A dermaplaning device is often sold as a kit. You can buy these dermaplaning tools at any store that sells professional skin care tools and products.

Plenty of known brands have released their own version of a dermaplaning or dermablading kit. As such, you can find a DIY dermaplane kit even at all-around stores like Amazon.

How Do You Dermaplane Safely At Home?

The first thing you should know about dermaplaning is that it isn’t supposed to be like shaving your legs. You’ll have to learn to do small strokes in an upward motion throughout your face.

1) PLAN AHEAD. Discontinue exfoliation products 3 to 5 days before you plan to dermaplane at home. Clean your dermaplaning device with alcohol and clean paper towel to avoid possible bacterial acne breakout.

2) PREP. Clean your face with any cleanser to remove oils or dirt from the skin. Dry completely. You can apply argan or jojoba oil to your skin to make the blade glide smoothly. Skip this step if your facial cleanser is oil-based.

3) DIG IN. You can either start from the forehead or along the jaw line. What’s important is you use your dominant hand and place the blade at a 45-degree angle working on one side of the face first. The other hand helps by pulling your skin taut as you go. Work in small gentle strokes. Be extra careful along the nose, eyes, lips, moles, and other parts of your face that you wouldn’t normally touch.

4) POST-TREATMENT. Use your go-to moisturizer right after. Give your skin added love with vitamin c serum to promote hydration. If you’re going to spend a lot of time under the sun days after dermaplaning, shield your skin with sunscreen.

Avoid participating in sweat-busting physical activities or attending formal events that requires a face full of makeup in the first 24 hours after dermaplaning. Repeat the treatment after 3 to 4 weeks.

If you’re ready to give this popular beauty procedure a shot, but prefer dermaplaning at home, we’ve rounded off the most popular dermaplaning device for your DIY treatment.

5 Best Professional Grade Dermaplaning Tools

 

When at-home dermaplaning kits exploded in the US, Dermaflash was one of the most trusted brands around. Even Allure was surprised when Dermaflash made it to Sephora’s March 2017 top-selling product list. The 2.0 LUXE device is the upgrade to the original Dermaflash dermaplaning tool.

The Dermaflash kept its pretty colors (choose from either baby pink or minty teal), but gave the dermaplaning device a sleeker feel. The upgraded version also featured multiple speeds, a welcome level-up if you ask me.

It’s already loaded with a disposable blade and comes pre-charged, so you’ll be able to use it quickly. You also have a pre-flash cream and post-flash moisturizer, a bag for your dermaplaning device, and 4 extra blades included in the kit, but you can buy more for $29/4-piece blade set.

PROS:

  • Impressive design
  • Glides on the skin effortlessly
  • Fool-proof exfolliation

CONS:

  • Expensive
  • There’s a batch of Dermaflash 2.0 LUXE that seem to have more duds than normal

 

Is it Worth Your Money?

 The Dermaflash 2.0 LUXE can seem a little pricey- you can check for the price by clicking this link. However, if you’re looking for the gold-standard of dermaplaning and are committed to using this device as part of your beauty regimen, go for the Dermaflash 2.0 LUXE. Your face will love you for it.

On the other hand, I’d recommend you go for a cheaper brand if you’re just trying out dermaplaning to see if it works for you. Or better yet, try out a professional dermaplaning facial before investing on your own DIY device.

If you’re looking for a dermaplaning tool that doesn’t require charging, check out Stacked Skincare’s simply-designed “scalpel.” It looks like a typical eyebrow razor, except this dermaplaning tool comes with replaceable blades and was specifically designed to keep your skin safe from nicks.

It may look simple, but the Stacked Skincare dermaplaning tool works as it’s advertised – it removes dirt, dead skin cells, oils and fine hairs all in one go, even if you slide it as gentle as you can.

PROS:

  • No-nonsense exfoliation
  • Easy to control with anti-injury safety features
  • Ideal for beginners to advanced users
  • Sturdy and simple design

 

CONS:

  • You have to buy replaceable blades separately (they add up costs quickly)
  • There’s a learning curve… so be gentle at first.

 

Is it Worth Your Money?

The Stacked Skincare dermaplaning tool costs around $75, which comes pre-installed with one blade. You’d have to replace this after 4 uses, depending on how thick your peach fuzz is. The company has the 3-razor refill kit which makes is easy to have a fresh new blade each time. This can last you up to three months.

If you’re worried about having a rechargeable dermaplaning device to add to your ever-growing list of gadgets that need charging, the Stacked Skincare will solve your problem.

Don’t let this razor-looking tool fool you! It’s not like your good old disposable razors. Look a little closer at the Stacked Skincare blades and you’ll see what I mean – those specially-designed blades will dig out everything you’re hoping to remove.

Out of all the do-it-yourself dermaplaning kits we’ve checked out, Michael Todd’s Sonicsmooth is probably the most attractive-looking. If you’re basing your decision by looks alone, it’s no question your eyes will gear towards this set.

But beyond its impressive design, the Sonicsmooth works similar to the Dermaflash. What I like best about Sonicsmooth is how it feels on the hand and how all of the features really do make a difference. For example, the non-slip coating is a good call because how you hold the device matters in the outcome of a dermaplaning session. The three sonic-speed gives you control in exfoliating, which is great if you have spots with flaky skin or extra peach fuzz.

Plus points for the Michael Todd pre-dermaplaning cleanser and a post-treatment gel included in the kit. Those two products give you a full dermaplaning experience.

PROS:

  • Well-thought of design
  • 3 sonic speeds
  • Two options for charging (cradle and wall plug)
  • Use battery up to 3 hours per charge
  • Safe container for the single use “edges”
  • Includes Michael Todd beauty products

 

CONS:

  • Needs charging
  • The blades included here are single-use (means it could be expensive to maintain in the long run)

 

Is it Worth Your Money?

Michael Todd’s Sonicsmooth at-home dermaplaning kit is priced at only $99.  Yes, I said “only” because I’m comparing it to Dermaflash’s 2.0 LUXE $189 dermaplaning set. For half the Dermaflash’s price, Sonicsmooth comes with the pre- and post-treatment products, 8 weeks supply of single-use edges, a charging dock with wall plug option, and the dermaplaning device.

There’s a reason Michael Todd’s Sonicsmooth has won several beauty awards. So if you’re looking for a rechargeable dermaplaning tool… this should definitely be one of your top choices.

For a budget-friendly option, this $10-dollar Noxzema About Face Sonic Beauty Wand is something you should check out. It’s a more advanced version of a typical disposable razor, since it’s designed to remove facial hair and dead skin using sonic waves.

The pack specifically states “thin” facial hair only, so consider this if you’ve got thicker than average peach fuzz. Aside from that, you’d still be able to enjoy exfoliation benefits at fraction of the cost of high-end dermaplaning systems like Michael Todd’s Sonicsmooth or Dermaflash.

The only concern with the Noxzema About Face Sonic Beauty Wand is that it does have a bit of a learning curve (you’ve got to slide it downward), but once you’ve mastered how to use it, dermaplaning with this baby will be effortless.

PROS:

  • No-fuss exfoliation wand
  • Comes from a trusted brand
  • Can also be used elsewhere to remove thin hairs
  • Cheap refill packs (you get a refill blade bundle set and with each bundle containing 2 blades for exfoliating and 1 blade for brow shaping)

CONS:

  • Comes with only one blade
  • Cannot handle thick facial hair
  • Uses AAA battery (can be costly in the long run compared to rechargeables) 

Is it Worth Your Money?

For $10, Noxzema’s About Face Sonic Beauty Wand is a cheap gateway to do-it-yourself, home dermaplaning treatments. What’s attractive about this beauty wand is that its long-term use is inexpensive as well, since the refills are just as affordable as the tool.

vertex dermaplaning razor

Packed in a bundle of five facial razors, Vertex Beauty’s Home Dermaplaning Facial Razor definitely looks like the disposable razors you’ve grown up using for your legs.

But don’t let its look fool you – these facial razors are a step above the razors you know. They’re super sharp (can even be quite dangerous if you’re not careful)

PROS:

  • Lightweight and simple design
  • All around facial hair removal
  • Exfoliates face
  • Can work as an eyebrow shaper
  • Comes in packs of 5

CONS:

  • Very very sharp (can lead to nicks)

Is it Worth Your Money?

For $13.99 for a 5-piece set, Vertex Beauty’s Home Dermaplaning Facial Razor falls at around $2.8 per razor. The look or feel won’t really impress you that much, but its Japanese blades quality truly shines with this dermaplaning tool. These razors can do the job with excellent precision. Plus, they serve as an all-around facial hair remover, eyebrow shaper and exfoliating tool.

Wrap Up: Best Tool for Dermaplaning at Home

Dermaplaning isn’t a fad anymore. It exploded around 2016 and is here to stay. If you haven’t tried one, I recommend going the professional spa route first. Those aestheticians can teach you about your skin type, proper cleansing, what products to use after dermaplaning, and so on.

Once you’ve gained a bit of personal skin care knowledge, you can now choose the best tool for dermaplaning at home.

If you want a rechargeable system with skincare products included for pre- and post-treatment, choose Dermaflash or Michael Todd. If you don’t want to bother with recharging your dermaplaning device, stick to simpler tools like Stacked Skincare’s dermaplaning tool or Noxzema’s sonic beauty wand (uses AAA batteries though).

Of course, your choice will depend on your skin care needs, budget, and personal preference. Whatever dermaplaning device you choose from the top 5 I’ve listed above, I can only guarantee one thing – once you perfected the art of dermaplaning, you’ll never go back to having peach fuzz or dead skin cells ever again.

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