10 things you need to know if you’re considering shaving your face

I’ve always been intrigued by dermaplaning, a form of exfoliation that involves removing fine hairs from the face with a surgical blade. Facial shaving removes annoying peach fuzz, creates the perfect base for makeup application, and gives skin an incredible glow thanks to its ability to allow products to penetrate the skin better. But I was wary of trying it for two reasons. The first is that it’s another thing I’ve had a long beauty regimen of. I really enjoy taking the time to take care of my skin, but adding more steps would cut into the time spent binge watching my favorite TV shows. My second concern is probably what you’re all thinking: the fear that my hair will grow thicker and faster. Spoiler alert: it didn’t.

I finally decided to take a chance and try an Egyptian facial with Dr. David Jack, which included dermaplaning. The good news? I live to tell the tale. If you’re considering getting baby-soft, lint-free skin but have concerns, here are 10 things you need to know before you’re done (including some very candid photos of my experience).

Dermaplaning doesn’t hurt
Honestly, it sounds and looks a lot scarier than it actually is. dermaplaning is safe and the process does not cause harm, but it is definitely not a relaxing facial. The dermaplaning blade is similar to a regular razor, and the action of removing the hair feels like a dry shave, especially on the upper lip where there may be more hair. But while it can feel a little uncomfortable at first, you get used to it easily and it doesn’t hurt at all.

Your hair won’t grow thicker or faster after dermabrasion
Dr. David says this is a complete myth. You will not grow a beard after having a dermaplaning. Your hair will grow back, but it will look just like it did before you had the treatment. If you were born with darker hair, they may appear thicker when they grow back, but that may simply be because you’ve forgotten what it was like before the treatment. “There is no scientific basis for this. A surgical blade is used, and it simply shaves off the ends of the fine hairs. The hair follicle itself doesn’t react in any way, so the hair growth is unchanged.”

Related: dry skin vs. dehydrated skin: which one do you really have?

After 1 session you are not committed
It’s not a treatment you absolutely must commit to, but repeated sessions do make the treatment more effective. It can be a one-time treatment, but usually the best outcome for your skin long-term is repeated treatments,” says Dr. David. But a one-time treatment will not cause any damage to your skin.” I may only do this occasionally when I feel my skin needs extra exfoliation or better makeup before an event. However, if I try the treatment and decide I don’t want to do it again, it won’t be a problem considering my hair won’t grow any thicker or darker.

Dermaplaning affects the effectiveness of your skin care
“The skin is stripped for better access and penetration of anti-aging products.” I find that my skin is absorbing everything I put on and gives me the most incredible glow, so prepare your best products, including retinol, vitamin C and SPF. says Dr. David, “Primarily, it allows better access to the deeper layers of the skin, which improves the effectiveness of active, antioxidant skin treatments.” Selling!

Dermaplaning works better with fruit peels
The face starts with a “fruit-based glycolic acid peel that combines salicylic and mandelic acids, then gently shaves the top layer of skin. This exfoliation technique removes the skin’s waterproof surface layer, allowing the skin to penetrate and absorb a series of anti-aging advanced vitamin serums.” However, if you have sensitive skin, there is no need to use exfoliation in combination with peeling, as shaving is an effective form of exfoliation in its own right.

Dermaplaning at home
Dr. David does not recommend doing this at home. However, there are some POPSUGAR employees who are big proponents of at-home dermaplaning, and let’s be honest: many of us try things at home that we “shouldn’t”. Typically, the biggest difference between having a professional perform dermaplaning and doing it yourself at home is that the dermaplaning blade is different. Facialists use surgical dermabrasion blades, which are much sharper than the dermabrasion blades you buy at the drugstore. If you plan to use a dermaplane at home, make sure you are not using a surgical blade. Let Kirbie tell you how she keeps up with this treatment at home.

Dermaplaning lasts about 6 weeks
If you fall in love with this treatment, you can receive it every six weeks as this is the time for cell renewal and hair re-growth. You should be careful not to do this too often as it can over exfoliate your face and lead to complications. However, if you perform your own dermaplaning at home using a non-surgical blade, you can do this more frequently, about once a week or so.

After 3 hours.

Your skin will feel weird and dry after Dermaplaning
Weird, I mean you’ll feel everything on your face. Blowing the hair off your face? It will feel weird. I didn’t realize those tiny hairs could get in the way of what’s on your face. Also, stray hairs kind of stuck to my face like lip gloss. As for dryness, I expected to be drier than usual, but nothing a few masks or a thick night cream couldn’t fix. Oh, I was wrong. I didn’t wear makeup for three days after the treatment because I had to put moisturizer on my face during the day, multiple times a day. I have dry and dehydrated skin anyway, so keep that in mind if this is an issue for you. I recommend carrying a mist with you for a week after your treatment to combat the dryness and tightness throughout the day.

There is no downtime after Dermaplaning
Your skin will turn red afterwards. My face was red for about two hours afterwards, but it didn’t hurt at all. By the end of the day, I was glowing! Dr. David notes, “Typically, your skin will become a little red and sensitive immediately after treatment and may be a little dry for a few days afterwards. However, the downtime is fairly short and you should be able to continue normally afterwards. Sometimes in people with active acne, it can cause more redness within a few days, so that’s something to consider.