Who Is a Good Candidate?

Anyone who wants to get rid of peach fuzz and minimize fine lines and blemishes on the face, while also improving the overall look and health of the skin, is a good candidate for this treatment. The gentle and noninvasive nature of this service also makes it a good option for patients who have limitations that prevent them from taking advantage of other treatment options. Patients who are pregnant, who have very sensitive skin, or who are unable to handle the chemicals in other treatments may all benefit from scalpel facials.

What Other Treatment Options Do I Have?

If you’re looking to both exfoliate your skin and get rid of fine facial hairs, your primary options are dermaplaning, facial waxing, or shaving your face with a manual razor. Waxing, a widely available service, can over-exfoliate the face if it is not done properly. There are a number of different waxes available, and if you have sensitive skin, you may want to have a small test spot waxed first to see how your body reacts to the treatment. Shaving, meanwhile, offers a much lighter exfoliation. Of the three options, the so-called scalpel facial offers the deepest and safest exfoliation treatment.

Dermaplaning: FAQ

What Is Treatment Like?

We’ll start by cleansing your face and applying a solution that is designed to open up your pores. During the treatment, we’ll carefully scrape your face with a surgical steel blade held at a 45-degree angle. Your skin will be held taut while the various parts of your face are addressed. A scalpel facial is non-invasive and involves no pain or discomfort. Many patients say the sensation is similar to how it feels when shaving your legs in the shower with a manual razor. You may also hear a slight whispering sound as the blade makes soft strokes across your face.

What Are the Post-Treatment Instructions?

Avoiding sun exposure and wearing sunscreen — two essential parts of any skincare routine — are especially important in the days immediately following your treatment. Retinol and exfoliants should also be avoided for the first 24 hours after treatment. You’ll be able to reapply your cosmetics immediately after treatment if you wish, although some patients enjoy going makeup-free for a few hours after such a rejuvenating treatment.

How Frequently Should I Schedule Treatments?

Because a scalpel facial does not permanently remove your unwanted facial hair, you’ll need to schedule return treatments to maintain your look. After your first treatment, you’ll likely be excited about your results and eager to schedule your next appointment. We recommend that most patients wait at least four weeks before their next appointment. Four weeks will give your skin enough time to bounce back and replenish itself after being exfoliated. And because it will take some time for the facial hair to regrow, you won’t need another treatment right away anyway.

How Does the Treatment Really Work?

This treatment scrapes the skin just enough to trick it into thinking it has been injured. That injury alert spurs collagen production and pushes the skin to start regenerating cells, resulting in the youthful, glowing, refreshed skin that many patients have after treatment.

Won’t My Facial Hair Grow Back Even Thicker?

An old wives tale suggests that hair will grow back thicker and even darker after it’s been shaved off, but dermaplaning does not have this effect. This treatment does not impact or alter your hair follicles, nor will it influence the rate at which your facial hair grows. Only genetics can determine how fast your hair will grow, and hormones are responsible for deciding where you grow dark, thick hair and where you grow light, thin, vellus hairs.

Can This Treatment Be Performed on Other Parts of the Body?

Unlike shaving and waxing, which can be done all over the body, scalpel facials can only be performed on the face.

Can I Try This Treatment on My Own at Home?

You’ve probably grown comfortable shaving your legs with a manual razor in the shower, but dermaplaning — with a surgical steel scalpel — is a whole new ballgame. This treatment is best left to a trained professional who is comfortable using an ultra-sharp blade to navigate the tricky contours of your face. Nicks, ingrown hairs, stubble, and other injuries are just a few of things that could develop if at-home dermaplaning goes awry.

Is There Anyone This Treatment Won’t Work for?

This treatment is not recommended for patients who are in the midst of an active acne outbreak or who have open wounds or lesions on their face. Patients who are allergic to nickel or who have used the acne medication Accutane in the past six months also are not ideal candidates. Patients who have received Botox or dermal fillers should wait at least seven days before undergoing a scalpel facial.