Exfoliation. It’s the holy grail of great skin. Our skin is constantly renewing itself by shedding old cells and replacing them with new cells. But it’s always nice to give the entire process a little boost from time to time. One of the easiest methods is known as dermaplaning. This simple treatment is a great way to shed old, dull skin and show everyone the younger, healthier skin beneath.
Salem plastic surgeon Edwin Austin now offers dermaplaning at his state-of-the-art practice. Call us at 503-561-7000 to set up an appointment.
What is Dermaplaning?
Believe or not, our skin completely regenerates itself every 27 days. But when the dead skin cells, oils, and dirt build up, leaving us with a dull complexion, who would believe that rate of exfoliation? Dermaplaning gives the process a boost by taking a surgical blade and gently pulling it across the skin, in effect scraping away the dead skin cells and other debris. Dermaplaning reveals smoother, brighter skin beneath.
Is Dermaplaning painful?
Not at all. It’s kind of like a shave you’ve seen in an old western with a straight blade. But the angle of the blade isn’t as acute, so it’s scrapes the skin rather than solely cutting hair.
What are the benefits of Dermaplaning?
This is such a simple procedure, but it leaves your skin instantly more radiant and alive. It evens out skin tone and texture, and it removes your peach fuzz. We’ve had patients say their skin has never felt as soft as it does after this treatment. Exfoliation is the secret, and dermaplaning delivers just that.
Am I a candidate for Dermaplaning?
You could not find a person who wouldn’t benefit from a dermaplaning session at our Salem offices. We all have dead skin cells that are in the process of being shed but are currently stuck on our face. Plus, there are oils, dirt, and who knows what down between our skin cells. And we all have peach fuzz, clinically called vellus hairs. The surgical blade scrapes away the skin cells, oils, and the peach fuzz at the same time. It’s a great treatment for anyone — there aren’t any restrictions on skin type or skin tone. Even pregnant women can have dermaplaning, while they cannot have chemical peels.
The only people who cannot have dermaplaning are those with active cystic acne. You need to wait for the breakout to clear, and then you can have dermaplaning (which is a good acne treatment).
What skin conditions are treatable with Dermaplaning?
- Mild surface wrinkles
- Acne scars
- Blackheads
- Unwanted facial hair
- Enlarged pores
- Uneven skin tone
- Rough skin texture
How is the Dermaplaning procedure performed?
Don’t confuse dermaplaning with dermabrasion, an aggressive skin abrading procedure that usually uses a rotating wire brush to remove the top layers of skin. We do not offer dermabrasion at Oregon Plastic Surgeons because it has a real potential for scarring and involves a serious recovery.
Dermaplaning is nothing like that. In dermaplaning, a sterile surgical blade is gently passed over the top layer of the skin at a 45% angle. The blade abrades the surface of the skin in the opposite direction of hair growth. This removes dead skin cells and the “peach fuzz” hair that all women hate. A pattern is followed, eventually abrading the entire face.
At Dr. Austin’s, we offer dermaplaning as a stand-alone treatment or you can combine it with one or our micropeels.
How long will my Dermaplaning session take?
These are quick, easy treatments that take just about 30 minutes. If you add a peel, it will probably take about 45 minutes.
What happens after Dermaplaning? Is Dermaplaning safe?
After your treatment your skin will be slightly pink. It will be sensitive to sun exposure, as you would expect. It may feel a little tight and you may have some very minor flaking for a day or so. Simply put on your favorite moisturizer and some sunscreen and you can get right back to your normal activities immediately.
There are no side effects or risks with dermaplaning.
Can I combine Dermaplaning with other procedures?
As mentioned above, many of our patients opt to have a micropeel immediately after their dermabrasion. You wouldn’t combine it with IPL treatment, but you could surely have Botox, dermal fillers, or even a Kybella session to get rid of your double chin (these involve up to six injection sessions).
Should I moisturize my skin before my Dermaplaning session?
No. The goal of this treatment is to remove dead skin cells, peach fuzz hair, and oils on your skin. Moisturizer applied beforehand will only be scraped away. If you’re coming in for your session in the afternoon, go ahead and do your normal morning skin care. There’s just no need right before your session. We apply moisturizer afterwards.
I’ve heard that removing my peach fuzz will cause it to return darker and thicker. True?
No. Old wives’ tale. Your vellus hair will come back just as it was before…unfortunately. At least you can have another dermaplaning session with us to get rid of it again!
How often can you have Dermaplaning done?
This exfoliation removes about three weeks of dead skin cell buildup. That makes it a great procedure to have monthly to keep your skin cells turning over. This timeframe also keeps your peach fuzz hair to a minimum.
Schedule Your Dermaplaning Consultation Today!
Interested in learning more about dermaplaning? Call Salem plastic surgeon at Edwin Austin at 503-561-7000 or click here to schedule your consultation today! Serving Salem, OR & the greater Portland area.