Does Dermaplaning Cause Acne or Can It Help?
women’s health
If you’re tuned into the skincare space and have been online recently, you’ve almost certainly come across the buzzword “dermaplaning.”
(And, if this is your first time encountering it—welcome! We’ve pulled together a comprehensive resource that should more than help you get caught up.)
Dermaplaning is a skincare method that can help people achieve smoother skin.
Some people, that is; others may find that dermaplaning irritates their skin.
People prone to breakouts may wonder: Does dermaplaning cause acne—or can it help?
To get to the bottom of this pressing question, we’ll take a few minutes today to understand what dermaplaning is, how it affects your skin, and how to determine whether it’s the best choice for you.
What Is Dermaplaning?
Demaplaning is a type of exfoliation treatment.
Exfoliation treatments, whether they’re chemical or physical, generally involve removing dead skin cells from the very top layer of skin. This can help skin feel fresher and smoother.
Many physical exfoliation treatments come in the form of scrubs, or mixtures of gels or creams and materials like sugar or salt. When rubbed on the skin, these treatments wear away dead skin.
Dermaplaning is a non-invasive type of exfoliation treatment that, instead of a scrub, uses a sterile surgical scalpel to remove the top layer of dead skin cells.
It also removes “peach fuzz,” or the fine layer of facial hair that most humans have.
Why Is Dermaplaning So Popular?
Dermaplaning has become quite popular because of its novelty—and because it does make for an effective step in many people’s self-care or beauty routines.
For example:
- Dermaplaning can get you instant results; once the treatment is complete, many report immediately smoother, brighter skin.
- After dermaplaning, skin tends to absorb products better, which can increase the efficacy of high-quality skincare products you use afterward.
- The smooth, hair-free skin left after dermaplaning can be a particularly flawless canvas for makeup application.
And, since dermaplaning involves simply shaving away peach fuzz, it’s a topical treatment.
It’s non-invasive; you aren’t playing with chemicals or evaluating the risk of laser treatments. Side effects should be minimal, and you don’t need to wait for days after your treatment in case your skin acts up (like it might after an intense peel).
That said, best practices do dictate that your very first attempt at dermaplaning shouldn’t be right before a high-stakes event.
There are also people who may not have the best experience with dermaplaning—perhaps, for example, those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Is Dermaplaning Good for Your Skin?
Dermaplaning can come with a significant list of benefits—true.
These include exfoliation, refreshed-looking skin, potential reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, and more.
Since dermaplaning doesn’t involve harsh chemical exfoliants, it can be a gentler option for many people, even those with sensitive skin.
But it isn’t the best choice for everybody.
If you’re dealing with any of the following conditions, it may be best to consider alternatives to dermaplaning.
Can Dermaplaning Cause Acne?
Dermaplaning if you already have acne may not be a good idea, but does dermaplaning cause acne in the first place?
There are a few reasons why dermaplaning might cause breakouts. They include:
Poor or improper technique. If you nick your skin, it could lead to skin irritation and the introduction of bacteria. If you don’t sterilize your tools, bacteria could build up, too.
Disruption of the skin barrier. Your skin has a special barrier—called the “stratum corneum”—that’s made of many things, including proteins and oils as well as dead skin cells.
This skin barrier is very important for keeping your skin healthy and safe. If you over-exfoliate, you risk damaging this barrier, which can leave your skin prone to acne and irritation.
Poor aftercare. Once you’ve completed a dermaplaning session, you’ll need to invest further in post-procedure care steps, like moisturizing and cleaning your skin consistently.
Otherwise, doing so can lead to clogged pores and pimples.
Here’s How to Avoid Breakouts After Dermaplaning
Interested in the benefits of dermaplaning, but hesitant to risk an acne breakout?
Take these steps:
First, if at all possible, especially if doing it yourself has led to breakouts in the past, make sure that the procedure is done by a licensed professional.
If you do opt for an at-home kit, make sure it’s a brand new one, and follow all instructions very precisely.
After the treatment is complete, follow a gentle skincare routine that includes a moisturizing step to finish.
Avoid applying heavy makeup immediately after your treatment, as this can block your pores.
Can Dermaplaning Help With Acne?
Dermaplaning is not an acne treatment.
However, as long as you don’t use it over active acne (which can result in further irritation), you may be able to use dermaplaning to benefit your acne-prone skin.
Possible benefits of dermaplaning for acne-prone skin include:
- Fewer clogged pores. When you dermaplane, you remove dead skin cells. That’s one less thing to contribute to buildup in pores—buildup that leads to whiteheads and blackheads.
- More effective topical treatments. Because of your skin’s smoother, cleaner surface post-treatment, you may be able to expect increased effectiveness from your acne-fighting topicals (e.g., salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide treatments)
Of course, dermaplaning as a potentially helpful activity for people with acne-prone skin does have its limitations.
For example, dermaplaning won’t help you figure out why you’re dealing with problematic acne in the first place.
And if you have constant or active cystic acne, you shouldn’t be using dermaplaning at all.
Dermaplaning vs. Other Exfoliation Methods: What’s Right for You?
If dermaplaning seems like it might not be the best fit for you and your skin, good news:
It’s not the only exfoliation method you can consider.
(And even if you do like dermaplaning, it’s always a good idea to know what your other options may be!)
Here’s a quick rundown of the most common exfoliation methods and how they relate to dermaplaning.
Dermaplaning vs. Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are a type of exfoliating treatment that involve applying a mix of chemicals to the skin and allowing those chemicals to remove dead skin and improve skin texture.
These chemicals vary per treatment, but usually include AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids).
Chemical peels do offer significant benefits when compared to dermaplaning.
For example, chemical peels can penetrate deeper than surface-level dermaplaning, which can lead to more dramatic and longer-lasting results. Chemical peels are therefore able to treat a wider range of adult skincare concerns, like pigmentation issues.
There’s also a cornucopia of chemical peels available for consideration; you can choose your strength and area of focus.
However, they’re also not a perfect cure-all solution.
Chemical peels are intense and can be very tough on sensitive skin. They also require a period of downtime after the treatment; immediately post-procedure, the patient’s skin can be red and visibly irritated.
Dermaplaning may not be as intense, and delivers smoother, softer skin at once.
Dermaplaning vs. Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is another type of exfoliating treatment during which a licensed skin care professional uses a special device to spray tiny exfoliants (sand or crystals, usually) onto a patient’s skin. These materials slough off dead skin cells, allowing the undamaged skin underneath to show through.
Whether you opt for microdermabrasion over dermaplaning depends on what you’re looking for.
Microdermabrasion is more effective for some skin concerns, like pinpointing and clearing up mild acne scars or treating uneven skin texture.
It can also help reduce the appearance of enlarged pores.
Dermaplaning, on the other hand, removes that peach fuzz. (Microdermabrasion doesn’t). That’s a big part of achieving the sudden smooth look many people are after.
They’re both effective ways to smooth out skin, it just depends on what your primary concerns are: Treating mild to moderate skin issues over time, or achieving immediate clear, smooth skin.
Does Dermaplaning Work for Acne Scars?
If you’re interested in using dermaplaning for acne scars, there are a few things you should know about what to expect—and what, perhaps, you shouldn’t.
Here’s How Dermaplaning Might Improve Acne Scars
Since dermaplaning removes the very top layer of your skin, if your scars are shallow enough, dermaplaning might minimize their appearance.
Further, if you’re interested in using topical treatments like a brightening vitamin C serum to improve the appearance of your scars, dermaplaning first might allow those treatments to be a bit more effective.
Here Are the Limitations of Dermaplaning for Acne Scar Improvement
Dermaplaning won’t be quite as effective for acne scars that are pitted or very deep.
These types of acne scars may require treatments like microneedling (which stimulates collagen production for deep healing) or laser resurfacing (which targets deep layers of the skin to help reduce the appearance of significant scarring).
In some cases, you may be able to combine methods to boost the efficacy of your entire scar and skin care regimen.
A study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology noted that combining exfoliation techniques including dermaplaning with more targeted skincare treatments like microneedling or resurfacing could improve acne scar outcomes by up to 40% over six months.
How to Care for Your Skin After Dermaplaning
After you’ve completed a dermaplaning session, you need to invest in proper aftercare.
It’ll feel good. It’ll maximize the benefits you’re after. And it’ll help you avoid some of the more frustrating potential pitfalls of dermaplaning.
Follow these steps post-procedure to keep your skin smooth, healthy, and glowing.
- Hydrate. Apply a non-irritating, non-scented, non-comedogenic moisturizer after dermaplaning.
- Protect. After dermaplaning, your skin will be more sensitive to sunlight. Be even more vigilant than usual with your sunscreen use!
Select a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF30 or higher. If you can, avoid direct sun exposure for two days after treatment. (At the very least, avoid dermaplaning immediately before your beach vacation.)
- Rest. Rest your skin, that is, by avoiding harsh products like AHAs, BHAs, and retinoids for about a week to allow your skin to heal.
If you can, avoid wearing heavy makeup, too, for about 24 hours post-treatment. This can help you avoid clogged pores and skin irritation.
The Verdict: Does Dermaplaning Cause Acne–or Help It?
Dermaplaning done correctly and cleanly on healthy, unbroken skin should not cause acne, but that’s a lot of caveats. Whether dermaplaning will cause acne for you will depend on the condition of your skin and the way the procedure gets performed.
If you have healthy skin, go to a reputable professional or work with clean tools, and invest in proper aftercare, there is a good chance that dermaplaning will help you prevent future clogged pores. It could enhance your acne treatment and minimize the appearance of shallow acne scars over time.
If, on the other hand, the dermaplaning procedure gets performed incorrectly or you use unsterilized tools, you risk introducing bacteria to your skin. If you don’t take care of your skin afterward, you might also risk irritating your skin or clogging your pores.
Ideal candidates for dermaplaning might be those with an uneven or dull skin surface who are looking for a quick, non-invasive refresh or want smoother skin for better makeup or skincare application.
If you have active acne, it may be a better idea to prioritize other treatments, first.
Ready to Enhance Your Skincare Routine?
For those new to dermaplaning and those familiar with it, it’s always a good idea to know how best to match treatments to skincare goals (and what your options are).
Have any further questions about your skincare health—or curious about the best way to make sure you glow both outside and from within?
Check out this guide by Dr. Brynna Connor, M.D., a board-certified family medicine physician who specializes in regenerative medicine, who wrote about the best foods for stellar skincare benefits. In it, she says:
“You are what you eat. The foods that make up your diet can either supply your body with nutrients that help it work its best or cause problems like damage and inflammation. You can help your skin become healthy, hydrated, and glowing by eating a lot of vitamin and antioxidant-packed superfoods.”
And, if you find that you’re in need of health-boosting medications or products at competitive prices, we’re here to help. Just reach out, and our friendly, knowledgeable customer service agents and licensed pharmacists are ready to assist with anything you need.
The team at NorthWestPharmacy.com looks forward to supporting you!
