What it is
Your therapist uses a sterile surgical blade held at an angle to sweep away the top layer of dead skin along with the fine vellus hair on your face. The sensation is a light scratching, and most people find it strangely relaxing.
The result is immediate. Skin is visibly brighter and feels genuinely smooth, and products sink in properly instead of sitting on the surface.
Who it suits and who it does not
Dermaplaning is ideal if you have dull skin, fine lines, uneven texture, or if your skincare never quite seems to absorb. It is also popular with people whose makeup catches or sits patchy.
It is not suitable if you have active acne, rosacea, diabetes, skin cancer, or skin that is currently broken or reactive. We will discuss this during the consultation and recommend an alternative if dermaplaning is not right for you now.
How the session runs
You will lie with your eyes closed while your therapist uses the blade in gentle, deliberate strokes across your face. The whole treatment takes around 45 minutes. You will complete a consent form beforehand where we explain what to expect and the small risks involved.
What it feels like
The blade creates a light scratching sensation that most people find oddly relaxing. If you have sensitive skin, you might feel a slight prickle, but nothing sharp. It is a gentle, rhythmic treatment.
Afterwards
Makeup is fine to apply straight away, but use clean brushes and sponges so you are not introducing bacteria to freshly exfoliated skin. Some people with sensitive skin experience mild redness that settles within 12 to 24 hours. Both are normal.
Leave four to six weeks between treatments. Exfoliating again too soon irritates the skin and damages its barrier, which is the opposite of what you booked it for.
How long results last
Results are immediate: smoother skin and a brighter complexion. Makeup applies without catching for weeks, and most people rebook every 4 to 6 weeks as the initial smoothness gradually diminishes and dead skin builds up again.
How dermaplaning compares to other treatments
Dermaplaning removes both dead skin and vellus hair in one treatment. Chemical peels dissolve the skin layer and suit deeper pigmentation and lines, but they do not remove hair. Microdermabrasion covers ground faster with particles or crystals, also without hair removal.
If you want deep collagen remodelling, microneedling is stronger but has more downtime. HydraFacial prioritises hydration and suits dry or sensitive skin better.