Skin & Medical Treatments
Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning uses a sterile surgical blade, held at a shallow angle, to lift away the outermost layer of dead skin together with the fine, pale hair on the face. The skin underneath looks brighter, feels smoother, and holds make-up more evenly.
It is a very thorough exfoliation, and no more than that. The result is immediate, there is no downtime, and it lasts three to four weeks, until the skin and the hair have grown back.
Who it suits
It suits:
- dull or dry skin
- fine, pale facial hair that catches make-up or the light
- skin that needs to look its best for an event
- and anyone who wants no downtime at all.
It is not for:
- active acne or inflamed spots, which the blade would catch
- a cold sore, broken skin, or a flare of rosacea or eczema
- skin that is on, or has recently finished, strong acne medication
- and coarse, dark facial hair, where laser hair removal will do far more.
It does not change the hair. The blade cuts it at the surface without touching the follicle, so it grows back exactly as before: not thicker, not darker, not faster.
What happens
Cleanse
Your skin is cleansed and dried completely, because the blade needs a dry surface to work cleanly.
Dermaplaning
The skin is held taut and the blade drawn across it in short, light strokes, avoiding the eyelids and any spots. It feels like a light scratching.
Finish
Moisturiser and SPF 50 go on afterwards, and you can go straight back to your day. The appointment takes 45 minutes.
What it costs
£40. It can be booked on its own, or combined with microneedling in the same appointment.
Common questions
Will my facial hair grow back thicker after dermaplaning?
No. Dermaplaning cuts the hair at the surface and does not touch the follicle, so it grows back as it was: the same thickness, the same colour, at the same rate. The slightly stubbly feel some people notice is the blunt cut end, and it goes as the hair grows out.
How long does dermaplaning last?
Three to four weeks. That is roughly how long the skin takes to replace its outer layer, and how long the fine hair takes to grow back.
Is there any downtime?
No. Some people are slightly pink for an hour or two. You can go straight back to work, though make-up is best left until the next day.
Dermaplaning or a carbon laser facial?
Both brighten the skin with no downtime, but they work differently. Dermaplaning removes fine hair and dead skin from the surface with a blade. The carbon laser facial uses a laser to clear oil and congestion from the pores. If blackheads and oiliness are the problem, the carbon facial is the better fit. If it is dullness and fine hair, dermaplaning is.
Can I have dermaplaning if I have acne?
Not over active spots. The blade can catch them, spread bacteria and leave the skin more inflamed. If your acne is active, treat that first — your GP is the place to start. If old scarring is what is left, microneedling will do more than dermaplaning can.
Is dermaplaning just shaving?
It takes off more than hair. A sterile surgical blade, held at a shallow angle by a trained practitioner, lifts away the outer layer of dead skin along with the fine hair. Losing that dead layer is what makes skin look brighter and helps make-up sit evenly.
Can I have dermaplaning before an event?
Yes. The result shows straight away and there is no downtime. Make-up is best left until the next day, so book it at least the day before.