What Is Dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is one of those treatments that sounds more dramatic than it is. A sterile surgical blade, a trained esthetician, your face — and in 30 to 60 minutes, a noticeably different surface texture and a glow that’s difficult to achieve with any other single treatment.

Here’s what it actually involves, and whether it’s right for your skin.

What Happens During a Treatment

Your esthetician holds the skin taut and moves a sterile, single-use surgical blade across the surface at a precise 45-degree angle. The blade removes the outermost layer of dead skin cells along with vellus hair — the fine, nearly colorless hair (often called peach fuzz) that covers most of the face.

The sensation is mild. Most people describe it as a light scraping or something close to a credit card being drawn across the skin. There’s no pain, no recovery time, and no redness beyond mild flushing that clears within hours.

Why Vellus Hair Matters

Most people don’t think much about vellus hair — it’s barely visible. But it has a surprisingly significant effect on how the skin looks and how products perform. Fine facial hair traps dead skin cells, creates an uneven texture in raking light, and creates a physical barrier between skincare products and the skin’s surface.

Removing it reveals the skin underneath and dramatically improves how makeup applies — that matte, pore-minimized finish that some people spend years trying to achieve in a bottle.

The Myth About Hair Growing Back Thicker

This is the most common concern, and it’s not accurate. Vellus hair is structurally different from terminal hair (eyebrows, body hair). Removing it with a blade doesn’t alter the follicle, the hair type, or the growth cycle. It grows back the same — fine, soft, and light — typically within three to four weeks.

Who It’s Right For

Dermaplaning suits most skin types well. It’s particularly effective for:

• Dull or uneven-textured skin
• Skin that looks flat or matte and doesn’t respond well to topical brightening products
• Anyone whose makeup sits unevenly or emphasizes pores and texture
• Clients who want deeper product penetration from their skincare routine

It’s not recommended during active acne breakouts or with certain skin conditions. If you’re unsure, your esthetician will assess your skin before proceeding.

Standalone or Combined

Dermaplaning is offered as a standalone 60-minute service. It’s also available as an add-on to facials, and is paired with a hydrofacial in our Silky Smooth treatment — a combination that delivers both deep exfoliation and intensive hydration in a single session.

Whichever way you experience it, the day-of results tend to be immediate and visible: smoother, softer, brighter skin that photographs and applies makeup differently than it did before.