Beauty at the razor's edge

Ancient Egyptian beauty Cleopatra and Hollywood’s most iconic beauties of yesteryear, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, were huge fans of dermaplaning. So, what is dermaplaning, and why has this technique become a trend now?

Dermaplaning is the clinical name for shaving. It is the process by which dead skin cells and vellus hair are removed using a sharp, sterile blade in gentle, upward strokes. Spurred by celebrities and beauty bloggers like Huda Kattan and Kate Somerville, the practice of dermaplaning has been trending over the last couple of years.

According to skin experts, dermaplaning triggers the cell regeneration process, allowing skincare products and treatments to soak into the skin easily and perform much more efficiently.

“This procedure exfoliates the dead upper skin — the stratum corneum, and removes all the fine hair. The skin becomes smooth, hair-free, allowing the active ingredients of creams to penetrate evenly with maximum efficacy,” says Dr Padmavathi Surapaneni, senior dermatologist, and cosmetologist at Pragna Skin Laser Clinics. “It can do deep exfoliation of skin without chemical peels, AHAs and BHAs with the added benefit of getting rid of fine hair.”

Listing other advantages, she says, “It is a simple procedure. It doesn’t have any downtime; you can use make up and go to work immediately afterwards.”

Dr Ajay Rana, renowned dermatologist and aesthetic physician and Founder- Director, Institute of Laser & Aesthetic Medicine (ILAMED) says “The results of dermaplaning can vary from person to person, but it can make the skin surface smoother, leave zero peach fuzz and make the skin slightly brighter-looking. Because you’re removing any and all of your dead skin cells, after dermaplaning, skincare products will better penetrate the skin, making them all the more effective.”

The procedure can also be commonly used. “Dermaplanning is a safe procedure, suitable for practically everyone. Only those who have active acne, herpes or cold sores, cuts or abrasions, allergy to metals like nickel and those who have a very sensitive skin should avoid it” says Dr Padmavathi.

PROS:

l It painlessly exfoliates.

l It can be performed prior to treatments like facials, laser, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels for better product penetration.

l It helps lighten post-inflammatory scars from t acne.

l It does not make the hair grow back thicker and darker.

 

CONS:

l It is more expensive than some other hair-removal treatments.

l The results might not be as long-lasting.

l Hair may grow back faster than the regular parlour procedures like threading and waxing.

l  It is not recommended if you have hirsutism — a condition which produces thick facial hair due to hormonal issues like PCOS.

 

Do it at home

Dermaplaning can easily be done at home, says Dr Ajay Rana.

l First, thoroughly cleanse and dry the skin.

l Hold the blade at the jawline with one hand. Hold the

skin taut with the other hand.

l Gently stroke the

dermaplaning tool in short, feathery upward strokes.

l Repeat on the lip, chin, nose, forehead, and neck. Do not repeat strokes on an area you have already covered.

l Once you’re done, apply

your treatment product or

your moisturiser.

l You can repeat these

steps every 3-4 days

l Continue until you have

covered the full cheek and jawline on both sides.