Whether you’re concerned about excess facial hair or are merely looking for a quick glow fix, then dermaplaning—a type of face shaving—could be worth a try.

Dermaplaning is the clinical name for a skincare treatment that removes dead skin cells and vellus hair (peach fuzz) from your face, using a surgical-grade scalpel in the hands of a qualified practitioner.

The idea is to get rid of anything that traps debris and oils on the skin to make it appear dull. Think of it as an advanced form of facial exfoliation.

As exfoliating techniques go, it is much gentler than other in-clinic exfoliating treatments such as microdermabrasion or chemical peels.

What happens during the procedure?

Your practitioner will gently scrape a sterile blade over your dry facial skin, including the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead, and in an upward motion.

The bottom line is you’re paying a qualified professional to shave your face with a razor-sharp scalpel and as scary as it sounds, it’s not actually painful at all.

Think of it as like shaving any other part of your body. The procedure will only take about 30 to 40 minutes.

What are the benefits of dermaplaning?

As a chemical-free form of intense exfoliation, the procedure should leave skin ultra-smooth, fresh and glowing.

With all the tiny hairs shaved off, your skin will will feel super smooth and look more youthful, because it will reflect the light more evenly.

Also, because you’re removing most of the dead skin cells, your skincare products will absorb into your skin more easily and makeup will apply smoother and more evenly.

Will the hair grow back coarser and darker?

Despite the misconception that shaving causes hair to grow back thicker and darker, this is not the case with dermaplaning as the blade only shaves off the fine hairs and doesn’t come into contact with the hair follicles themselves.

Thankfully, fans of the procedure also report that the hair doesn’t grow back stubbly either.

Is there any downtime?

There's virtually no downtime, apart from a little redness and irritation immediately following the procedure. The skin may also feel a little tight and razor burned but this normally subsides within a few hours.

As with any exfoliating procedure, skin will be particularly susceptible to sun damage so, of course, using a sunscreen is necessary.

Who shouldn’t book in for dermaplaning?

Patients who have sun damage, fine lines, very dry and dull skin are ideal for dermaplaning.

However, those who suffer from active acne, pigmentation problems or excessive facial hair caused by a hormone imbalance should avoid dermaplaning.

Anyone with inflamed or sensitised skin due to conditions such as rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis should also avoid this procedure.

Can I try dermaplaning at home?

Despite the endless YouTube videos and influencers demonstrating dermablading, this is really something you should leave to a skilled professional as it involves using a sharp scalpel.

Performed in the right hands however, you’ll leave with baby-soft, smooth skin in less than an hour.