Dermaplaning is fast gaining popularity among young professional women seeking clean and clear complexion without hassles. Shahnaz Husain tells you more about the new beauty care technique.
Dermaplaning, or dermablading, is a gentle non-ablative shaving technique in the form of physical exfoliation that uses a butter blade to remove built-up dead skin and baby hair from the face and neck leaving the skin smooth, bright and glowing with or without make-up.
It is extremely popular, especially among models, actresses and stage artistes. It is useful for for those who suffer from dry skin, fine lines and dullness but persons with inflamed acne must wait till the skin clears up.
Exfoliation has become an integral part of skin care where grainy substances are used for the removal of dead skin cells in order to improve skin texture and make the skin clearer, smoother and brighter. It also helps to produce an even colour tone. Many such treatments have been devised, like micro-dermabrasion, peeling, use of AHAs and dermaplaning. However, before using any procedure, it is best to know all about it.
Exfoliation of the skin is done with scrubs or cleansing grains. In certain methods of dermabrasion, rotating brushes are used on the skin to remove dead skin cells.
According to dermaplaning experts, it suits all skin types and is particularly suited to skin that has suffered damage, like acne scars or pits in the skin. But if you have acne or rashes, it is better not to go in for dermaplaning and wait for the condition to subside.
Some doubts have been expressed regarding dermaplaning because a scalpel is used and the skin is actually scraped. The increase of facial hair after dermaplaning is one of the doubts because the hair is actually cut. Also, soon after such procedures, it is better to protect the skin from sun-exposure.
As far as skin damage is concerned, the removal of scars is done by a plastic surgeon and is a surgical procedure. For instance, chemical peeling is used to remove scars. It can be a painful procedure and some risks may be involved as chemicals are used. There are chemical exfoliants too. In some salons, AHA or alpha hydroxyl acids are used for peeling, which also help to exfoliate the skin. These are obtained mainly from fruit acids. Similarly, there are glycolic peels and others.
Considering the risks of chemical peeling, vegetable peeling is only recommended to minimise skin damage. In vegetable peeling, plant extracts are used, along with certain procedures, to dermabrase the skin. This is done by rubbing the skin gently. The effect is both gentle and safe on the skin. In fact, the plant extracts actually help to restore beauty and health to the skin.
Vegetable peeling is a clinical procedure and professional training is essential to carry out the treatments. Several sittings are required and the number of sittings depends on the extent of scarring. Pits or tiny depressions in the skin are common in acne scars. The pits in the skin may also become pigmented (dark), making the scars more apparent. So these factors have to be taken into consideration while deciding on the treatment.
Exponents of dermaplaning say facial hair growth does not really increase but the hair may look different. According to them, the plus point is that it does not take much time to do dermaplaning. They also say the effect lasts much longer than other hair removal methods. It seems after dermaplaning, the skin’s absorption ability improves and skin care products are better absorbed. They, however, advise that after dermaplaning, the skin should be protected from sun-exposure by applying sunscreen.
There is also a word of warning — do not try it at home. It is a clinical procedure. Find a reputed clinic and speak to those who have done it before trying it.
