Dermaplaning: What Is It, and Should You Try It?

I do not think of myself as someone who is easily influenced, especially when it comes to beauty trends. My skin is very sensitive, so I am cautious of what I do to my face and what products I use. Like most people in this day and age, however, I am incredibly susceptible to falling down the rabbit hole of TikTok trends, scrolling endlessly and learning about contour hacks or, in this case, dermaplaning. 

Photo: Svetikd via Ipsy

Dermaplaning is an exfoliating technique for which a very sharp scalpel gently scrapes the surface of your skin. It removes hair and peach fuzz, as well as a layer of dead skin. It boasts results of clearer, smoother skin; not only does it strip away texture from peach fuzz, but by removing dead skin cells, the surface of your skin can much more easily absorb makeup, which makes for an incredibly smooth application. 

Since dermaplaning is essentially putting a sharp blade up to your face and scraping, it is recommended that it is done by a professional dermatologist. This is far safer, and your skin’s particular needs can be far more easily evaluated by a professional. 

If you do want to do it at home, however, there is a wide array of tools that you can use. They range from around $6 for a set of Schick touch-up razors to $200 for this Dermaluxe exfoliating tool. 

Photo: Troy Covey via Elle

I went out and bought myself a $6 dermaplaning tool and went to town (gently) with little research beforehand. I would absolutely not recommend my very haphazard method; at the same time, I absolutely loved the results. My skin is clearer, smoother, and practically glowing. I never thought I would be the sort of person who would choose to remove peach fuzz, but in my limited research, I learned that it is a complete myth that hair grows back thicker after being shaved. The more you know. 

Dermaplaning is certainly not for everyone. It should not be done over active breakouts, as it can make acne worse and leave scars. It can also be rough on extremely sensitive skin. If this the case for you, there are plenty of other exfoliation routes that can be done in conjunction to or independent of derma planing, like chemical exfoliators. I, however, am a convert. If baby smooth skin is what you are after, look no further.