What’s surprising to many women is that the soft, dewy, seemingly airbrushed complexions of their favorite celebs aren’t achieved with any lotion, potion, or high-tech procedure. It’s dermaplaning! Dermaplaning remains the go-to procedure for celebs looking for a flawless complexion under harsh studio lights and high-definition cameras.
Dermaplaning, one of the oldest (and arguably one of the most effective) beauty procedures around, involves a sterile scalpel and the steady hand of an expert esthetician to remove fine hair (peach fuzz) and dead skin cells.
But what’s most interesting is that although dermaplaning has been around for years, many estheticians don’t even know it is exists! This means many women find themselves in search of an esthetician skilled in this craft, and this means opportunity for you.
One of the best ways you can build your esthetics business is to make yourself an expert in unique procedures like dermaplaning. Dermaplaning is something of an art, and it’s all about proper technique. This means it’s important you get the hands-on training necessary to administer the procedure safely and effectively.
What Estheticians Need to Know About Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is a safe, painless procedure that exfoliates the surface of the skin while removing those small, fine hairs (called vellus) many refer to as peach fuzz. Estheticians and other trained professionals, such as dermatologists, use a ten-gauge scalpel and gentle, feathering strokes to accomplish this.
The goal of dermaplaning is to remove the dead skin cells and hair that cause the skin to look dull. Dermaplaning creates a fresher, smoother complexion that more readily accepts skincare products and makeup. Removing peach fuzz is also beneficial for many women, as this hair often causes a buildup of dirt and oil.
Many times, dermaplaning is done before a mask or chemical peel treatment so as to allow the products to penetrate more deeply into the skin.
Dermaplaning is different from dermabrasion, a mechanical exfoliation that uses microcrystals to remove the epidermal layer of skin. Dermaplaning is far less invasive and is ideal for nearly any skin type. It takes just a few minutes to perform and requires no down time.
Dermaplaning is often used to brighten and complexion and create a smooth surface on which makeup can be flawlessly applied. It is also used on people with rough, dry skin, or those with hyperpigmentation, acne scarring, and fine lines and wrinkles.
The Many Benefits of Dermaplaning
In addition to removing peach fuzz and creating a fresh complexion, dermaplaning has a number of benefits:
- The trauma to the outer layer of skin caused by dermaplaning promotes the production of collagen and elastin, making it an effective anti-aging procedure.
- Dermaplaning reduces hyperkeratosis (the buildup of the epidermis), which can cause acne and make the skin look dull.
- Many estheticians use dermaplaning on their clients with hyperpigmentation, as it improves the penetration of products used to inhibit the production of melanin, such as kojic acid, lactic acid, and retinols.
- Dermaplaning has been found to be an effective treatment for non-pustular and non-inflamed acne, as it improves the penetration of topical products used to treat acne and aids in the extraction process.
Understanding the Dermaplaning Process
Before performing the dermaplaning procedure, you can prep the skin using a mild cleanser with alpha or beta hydroxy acids in order to loosen the dead skin and allow for a more effective exfoliation.
Wait for the client’s skin to completely dry, as moist skin can impede the movement of the blade over the skin and create small cuts and nicks.
Holding the sterilized ten-gauge scalpel at a 45-degree angle, begin abrading the surface of the skin using short, feathering movements in the opposite direction of the hair growth while holding the skin taut. The movements of this procedure are precise and need to be performed with a gentle, experienced hand.
You should never perform dermaplaning without receiving adequate, hands-on instruction in the proper process and technique.
After you have completed the procedure, apply a moisturizer to the skin.
Dermaplaning can be done as often as every two weeks.
Advanced Esthetician Training and Certification in Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is a grey area in the world of esthetics. While some states, like Florida and Arizona, allow estheticians to perform dermaplaning as a cosmetic procedure, other states, like California, prohibit estheticians from performing dermaplaning. The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology considers dermaplaning an invasive procedure and not within the scope of practice of any licensee.
Some states, like Colorado, allow estheticians to perform dermaplaning, provided they take a course in dermaplaning and achieve a dermaplaning certificate.
In short, it is important to check with your state board to (a) ensure you can legally perform dermaplaning under your esthetician license and (b) what type of training and/or certification you need to perform it.
Dermaplaning is not usually covered in a basic esthetician program leading to state licensure, which is why proper training through a formal course is crucial before you begin offering this service.
Dermaplaning courses require a valid esthetician’s license. Most esthetician courses in dermaplaning include the dermaplaning tool and blades.
A dermaplaning hands-on class covers such topics as:
- Standardized procedures and protocols
- Pre- and post-care instructions
- Skin analysis
- Hands-on techniques
- Price structuring
- Market trends and client retention