On average, women and men spend 104 minutes a week managing their beards, eyebrows, peach fuzz, and other facial hair. This equates to around seven hours a month that you could spend doing something else: shopping, reading, or exercising a little more. Dermaplaning from Lazur La Vie Laser Centre and Day Spa in Nyack, NY, can easily and painlessly give back some of this time, removed unwanted facial hair, and rejuvenate your appearance.
What Are the Benefits of Dermaplaning?
If you’re into skincare, you know that regular exfoliation is as important as cleansing and moisturizing. It essentially reveals new cells to keep skin looking fresh and healthy. Dermaplaning – also known as epiblading or a scalpel facial – is a manual exfoliation technique that incorporates a medical-grade scalpel held to your skin at a 45-degree angle. The scalpel is then gently guided across your face, removing vellus hair (peach fuzz) and dead skin cells.
One of the most obvious benefits associated with this technique is its safety factor; even patients with rosacea and/or highly sensitive skin can undergo dermaplaning without fear of irritation. It is especially beneficial for those with dry skin, characterized by peeling and flaking, as it smooths away shedding skin to reveal a brighter and softer complexion.
Hair Removal
Facial hair is normal, which we all know by now. But that’s not to say it doesn’t pose some unwanted side effects, including acne. Studies confirm that hair helps trap sebum (oil) and dead skin cells, both of which can clog pores. The result is skin that doesn’t breathe properly, and when the oil and dead cells mix with bacteria already naturally present on the skin’s surface, breakouts occur.
Excessive washing, which we’ve all engaged in at some point, only makes matters worse because it disrupts the skin’s pH balance and damages its moisture barrier. Trying to counter these effects with more moisturizer is equally fruitless, as too much product only clogs pores further. Epiblading corrects these actions by skimming away unwanted hair and, at the same time, exfoliating skin. It’s like a two-for-one treatment that helps the skin in numerous ways.
Better Product Penetration
As long as we’re discussing skincare products, we’d like to take a moment to say epiblading helps your facial wash, serums, and lotions penetrate more effectively. When hair and dead skin cells are present on your facial surface, they impede the movement of products so they become essentially useless.
Think of it like this: most of those products don’t make it beyond the peach fuzz coating your skin. They are therefore unable to remove grime or provide hydration as they are intended to do. But in removing the barriers posed by hair and dead cells, epiblading instantly improves your skincare routine. Products are at last able to sink into tissues and immediately go to work.
Easier Makeup Application
If you routinely wear makeup, you’ve probably had days where those cosmetics didn’t blend well into your skin. And other days, they likely gave the flawless, refined appearance you crave. The difference is not in technique but on your skin’s surface. Patches of dry or flaky skin, excessive oil, and breakouts all impact the way cosmetics sit on your face.
With a fresh canvas, as provided by epiblading, you’ll no longer have to worry about “off” days where your makeup looks less than perfect. It will blend easily and skim contours smoothly. In addition, routine epiblading treatments will likely decrease your need for makeup as your skin’s quality only improves.
Improved Tone and Texture
Many of us contend with uneven texture caused by factors like sun damage, hormonal imbalances, smoking, and naturally dry skin. And you may not realize it, but texture plays a significant role in how your skin looks; it can contribute to a dull, lackluster complexion that looks older and more fatigued than you feel.
Scalpel facials help by giving skin a fresh start. They remove all the buildup that comes from daily living and allow light to reflect from the skin. In the mirror, you see a smoother and more radiant glow, while underneath, skin cells are renewing with greater speed.
Cellular Turnover
The premise behind any exfoliation technique is to promote cellular turnover. The body is designed to routinely renew itself, and that feature extends to the skin. Cells replenish on a fairly dependable schedule, shedding the old so new can emerge. The problem is that old cells, which we’ve already discussed at length, often get stuck on the skin’s surface. In addition, the process of renewal slows as we age, as indicated by this table:
- In our 20s, skin cells renew every 14 to 21 days
- In our 30s, the process is between 28 and 45 days
- In our 40s, cell renewal slows to 45 to 60 days
- At age 50 and older, it takes more than 90 days for cells to renew
Epiblading improves this process at any age by manually removing old cells. This forces new ones to emerge, thus providing you with a consistently fresher appearance. The end result is fewer lines and less visible scars, especially those caused by acne. You can think of this treatment as one of the easiest ways to rejuvenate your whole face with the added benefit of little to no downtime.
Complements Other Treatments
Dermaplaning supports the efficacy of other aesthetic treatments, including peels and masks. It opens skin in a way that makes it more receptive to nourishing services. We therefore recommend it as a precursor to other therapies so we can provide you with broader and longer-lasting results.
The Many Myths
Unfortunately, cosmetic therapies tend to be shrouded in misinformation that leads to a lack of trust. Many people, for instance, believe peach fuzz will grow back thicker and darker after a scalpel facial. This myth seems to persist around shaving in general, forcing many to believe they’re simply stuck with unwanted hair. We’d like to put this rumor to bed once and for all.
After removing hair, whether on your face, legs, or another body part, it’s biologically impossible for it to grow back thicker. Techniques like dermaplaning do create a blunt tip on the hair’s edge that can feel thicker than the previously tapered tip, but it is not physically larger. Vellus hair on your face is so soft and fine that removing it will not even impact perceived thickness, nor will it change the color. So don’t let this myth interfere with your treatment decision.
Myth: It’s Painful
Just the opposite, patients usually describe a scalpel facial as pleasant and relaxing. You can think of it as a gentle tickle or brushing sensation, and we use coordinated movements so as not to irritate the skin.
Myth: It’s Just Like Shaving and Can Be Done at Home
Dermaplaning is so much more than shaving. That fine blade we run across your face does everything from remove fine hair to stimulate blood flow. It gives a radiance that shaving cannot replicate, each blade is designed for just one use – for purposes of safety and hygiene – and our professional technique ensures we remove all hair so your face is soft and smooth throughout.
We caution against this technique at home. Another person looking at your face has a much better view than that which you see in the mirror. This allows us to gently reach all contours, from your jawline to your hairline. Our staff are also trained to apply the right pressure; you can damage your skin by using the scalpel with too much force. And we practice safety protocols you may not be able to duplicate in a home bathroom.
Myth: It Causes Breakouts
We don’t recommend this treatment for skin that is actively broken out, but it is a great preventative measure to reduce the likelihood of future breakouts. Removing dead skin from the surface keeps it from getting trapped inside pores and causing infections. Additionally, by sloughing away grime and dirt, epiblading helps acne treatments penetrate more effectively, as discussed earlier.
Myth: It’s Not Right for Darker Skin
Dermaplaning is safe for all skin shades and types, setting it apart from many other aesthetic treatments with more stringent treatment guidelines. This treatment is considered a manual exfoliation, in the same category as a facial scrub, but is non-abrasive and will not cause microtears like other exfoliants can. And for darker skin, it removes hairs with ease and efficiency that contribute to a dull appearance.
Myth: It’s Time Consuming
We can think of many other treatments that demand much more time than epiblading. Your session will typically last around 30 minutes with immediately visible results that continue up to four weeks. Maintenance appointments, therefore, need only be scheduled monthly. This is a relatively small amount of time for a treatment that yields many benefits and, as you continue to have it, repeatedly improves skin’s health.
Aftercare Instructions
Once your treatment is complete, it’s important to care for your skin in a way that maintains results. We usually advise patients to not use makeup for 24 hours and delay booking other facial treatments for two weeks. Additional tips may include the following:
- Avoid saunas, steam rooms, and strenuous exercise for 24 hours
- Skip skincare products that contain exfoliating ingredients for one day
- Use only tepid water, your fingers, and a mild cleanser when washing your face for two weeks
- Moisturize frequently to rehydrate skin cells; products that contain hyaluronic acid, retinol, and vitamin C are ideal
- Pat skin dry rather than rub it
- Stay out of direct sunlight for two weeks and use a high factor sunscreen to protect skin when you are outside
Here’s another important tip: hydrate your skin from within by drinking water. This means skipping sodas, juices, and alcohol. Water flushes toxins from the body, keeps skin plump, and helps metabolic processes within cells work more effectively. We recommend at least eight to 10 glasses of water daily with a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables. The many micronutrients and antioxidants contained within these foods will help your skin glow.
Get Enough Sleep
The daily grind can wreak havoc on your face, especially when you don’t get the sleep you need to recover. Keep in mind the body repairs itself at night, and a lack of quality shut-eye can cause premature skin aging. Exhaustion can also make skin look sallow, dry, and sunken. The phrase “get your beauty sleep” is therefore rooted in truth. Clock seven to eight hours each night to help your skin look its best.
A Simple But Powerful Treatment
Sometimes, the best things in life are the simplest. This is especially evident with dermaplaning, a no-frills treatment that whisks away vellus hair, dead cells, and grime to give you a soft and radiant complexion. It is pain-free, requires no downtime, and delivers immediate results. Schedule your appointment today by calling Lazur La Vie Laser Centre and Day Spa in Nyack, NY.
