How to Dermaplane at Home Safely and Effectively

Dermaplaning, originally was a in office procedure to achieve a glass skin. However, this technique has evolved over time and has now been adapted to be safe at home. 

This technique involves a derm version of a surgical scalpel, which with the correct procedure removes dead cells and gives you an ultimate exfoliation treatment, now at the comfort of your own home.

Is Dermaplaning Good for Your Skin?

As long as you stay miles away from professional scalpels dermaplaning at home is safe. You can find razor-like devices that are tailored made for the same purpose so that you don't hurt yourself in the process.

This means you’ll be getting more superficial dead skin cell removal which is a lot safer to do on your own. It works wonders for people with severe skin issues such as rosacea, acne, eczema, or psoriasis that too in a budget-friendly manner.

Is Dermaplaning at Home Safe?

Pull skin taut and glide the tool in small motions downwards. You'll notice small puffs of hair accumulating as you shave. Make sure to keep it at a gentle angle to not injure the skin.

It's typically easiest to start on the cheeks near your ears and work downwards towards your jawline and chin. Then, follow around the mouth and the eyebrows, always angling it downwards and using short, gentle motions.

Make sure to avoid areas such as your hairline, eyelids, and nose. Afterward, immediately follow with your normal routine minus any active ingredients. Go with a hydrating serum or moisturizer.

The skin has now been exfoliated and needs nourishing ingredients instead of harsh ingredients such as retinol.

Things You Need Before Starting

Before you begin the procedure, it will be easy if you grab everything you need to get it done with before hand. So grab a handy tray and add some paper towels, dermaplaning razor and your trusted moisturizer to apply after you are done exfoliating your face.

Here is how to dermaplane your face at home-

1. Prep Your Skin

Unlike shaving, your skin has to be completely dry to avoid spreading bacteria on the face and also contaminate your tools.

But as this is an exfoliating treatment, it is best to avoid active ingredients 2-3 days before and after dermaplaning. Also, skip the process on any areas with active breakouts or acne.

2. Pull Your Skin Taut

First, hold your skin taut with one hand and hold the device on your other hand. Make sure you work on sections and hold the blade at a 45-degree angle.

3. Use Downward Feathery Strokes 

Now move the blade over your targeted area in a short and light downward feathery strokes to avoid any motion irritation. Doing so, you can see the dead skin and unwated hair starts to accumulate on your blade as you go.

You also have to be careful and avoid any areas that are inflamed or irritated to not cause any cut or bleeding.

4. Repeat Strokes as Needed

Repeat the same process all over your face until you get your desired results. Just maintain your pace and try not to over do it.

5. Dermaplane the Neck (if needed)

Mostly people leave their neck be and leave after doing their chin. But if you think, you have some accumulations at your neck, feel free to get rid of them too.

6. Rinse and Moisturize

Lastly, rinse your face with a gentle scrub or cleanser and proceed with the rest of your skincare routine. 

Well, we talked about the good side of dermaplaning which is smoother makeup application, even texture and softer skin, but do you know what it actually means? It means you have to take extra care of your skin. 

After dermaplaning your skin will absorb products more efficiently since there won't be any barriers left to prevent water loss. So, apply your trusted face creams and ensure to apply sunscreen to avoid burns and rosacea.

• Removes Peach Fuzz

One of the best benefits of dermaplning is that you get rid of those soft and small vellus hair that we generally call peach fuzz. With dermaplaning, these tiny hairs disappear from your face giving you the mirror like skin you always desired.

• Better Hair Removal

Dermaplaning effectively removes vellus hair. Unlike waxing or threading, it’s painless and doesn’t irritate the skin, leaving behind a smooth, hair-free surface.

• Enhanced Product Absorption

With the barrier of dead skin and vellus hair gone, serums, moisturizers, and treatments can penetrate deeper. This maximizes their effectiveness, helping your skincare routine work faster and more efficiently.

• Beneficial for All Skin Types

This procedure provides deep exfoliation without harsh chemicals, making it a great option for those who can’t tolerate peels or microdermabrasion. Thus it is gentle and safe for most skin types, including sensitive skin.

• Diminished Acne Scarring

By removing the top layer of dead skin, dermaplaning helps soften the appearance of acne scars over time. It promotes skin renewal, encouraging a smoother and more even complexion. However, it’s not recommended for active acne.

• Reduce Dead Skin Cells

Dermaplaning sloughs off built-up dead skin cells that can make the face look dull and rough. This process stimulates cell turnover, leaving the skin looking fresh, radiant, and rejuvenated.

• No dark Hair Regrowth

One common misconception about dermaplaning is that shaving facial hair will make it grow back thicker, darker, or coarser. This is simply a myth.

Yes, this procedure removes fine vellus hair at the surface level, but it doesn’t alter the hair follicle or growth pattern. When hair regrows, it maintains the same texture and color as before.

The blunt tip from shaving may feel slightly different at first, but it doesn’t mean the hair is thicker or darker.

So, if you’re worried about unwanted coarse regrowth, rest assured—dermaplaning won’t change your natural hair type!

• It is Non-invasive and Safe Even for Expecting Mothers

This non-surgical cosmetic treatment is safe for everyone, even pregnant and lactating women. But there's no harm in consultation with your OBGYN before going for dermaplaning or any other cosmetic procedure.

As long as you don’t have underlying health concerns that could pose a risk, there’s typically no reason to avoid it.

• It’s an All-in-one Skin Treatment

As we discussed earlier, dermaplaning helps to tackle dullness, facial hair, and uneven tone. It's also painless and requires little to no downtime, making it an easy favorite!

For the best results, pair dermaplaning with a solid skincare routine including sunscreen, vitamin therapy, and healthy lifestyle choices can enhance its effectiveness.

Visiting a professional or done at home, dermaplaning results lasts about three weeks. So, most of the aestheticians and dermatologists recommends doing it once a month.

• Can You Dermaplane Your Legs?

Dermaplaning is specifically designed for the face, where fine vellus hair and dead skin buildup are more noticeable. While technically possible, it’s not the best method for leg hair removal.

The skin on the legs is thicker, and traditional shaving or waxing is more effective for larger areas.

If you're looking for exfoliation, a body scrub or chemical exfoliant (like glycolic acid) works better for achieving smooth, glowing legs!

• Should You Dermaplane on Dry Skin?

Performing dermaplaning on damp or oily skin can prevent the blade from gliding smoothly. It can reduce its exfoliating power. On the contrary, dry skin ensures better removal of dead cells and peach fuzz without tugging or irritation.

However, if your skin is extremely dry or flaky, prep with a gentle cleanser and make sure it’s completely dry before starting. Follow up with hydrating skincare to lock in moisture!