Summer is finally here and the heat has really settled in. Let’s be honest, it’s not the most ideal climate for a full face of makeup, so maintaining clear and healthy skin is a must. Nothing beats a fresh and dewy complexion in the summertime, but not everyone loves showing off their bare skin. Thankfully, there’s dermaplaning, otherwise referred to as epi-blading or microplaning, to get your skin at its best. So, what is dermaplaning?
DERMAPLANING, EPI-BLADING, MICROBLADING – WHAT IS IT?
“[Dermaplaning] aids in achieving maximum exfoliation of the epidermis.” – Robin Townsend, Clinical Dermatology Research Journal.
Dermaplaning is a procedure whereby the top layer of skin is delicately exfoliated with a surgical blade. In addition to the dead skin being removed, this procedure removes peach fuzz (also known as vellus hair) from your face. Note: your peach fuzz will not grow back thicker or darker—it will grow back in the same colour and consistency. The result from the treatment is a smooth, clean face, instantly. And the best part? Your skincare will penetrate deeper into your skin, maximising all of the beneficial ingredients in each product.
“Exfoliation is beneficial for removing keratinized skin cells that disrupt normal barrier function. Advanced Dermaplaning is a new approach to exfoliation of the skin, in real-time.” – Robin Townsend, Clinical Dermatology Research Journal.
The best part about dermaplaning? There is absolutely no downtime. Your fresh, new skin is ready to be shown off. Just remember to protect it with moisturisers and sunscreen! Also, as no harsh chemicals are used, this treatment is gentle enough for sensitive skin. Some physical exfoliants can be quite aggressive and leave micro-tears in the skin; however, this is not the case with dermaplaning. As the blade passes over the skin is smooth, even motions, no scars or tears are left. You expect your younger and smoother skin to stick around for about three weeks.
In case you’re not sure about how to best protect your skin in summer, we wrote an article all about it—read about how to get healthy summer skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A DERMAPLANE FACIAL?
There are a number of skin-loving benefits that come with a dermaplane facial treatment. As the outermost layer of dead skin is removed, your pores will become unclogged and allow skincare products to sink right into your skin. Dermaplaning can also assist with reducing deep wrinkles, fine lines, scarring, and brightening dull skin, according to the Brazillian Plastic Surgeon Alessandra Haddad.
Further, as old, damaged skin is removed, the skin is more capable of regenerating and replenishing itself. Overall, the resulting smoothness from your dermaplane facial will leave your skin primed for further treatments and makeup application. In fact, after the procedure, many comments on how smoothly their makeup applies. Some makeup gurus, such as Wayne Goss, swear on dermaplaning to achieve the smoothest makeup application possible.
To boost these benefits, take advantage of your skin’s supple condition by adding another beauty treatment. Adding an oxygen facial or chemical peel optimises the absorption of these treatments and makes them work harder, resulting in even more glowing, smooth skin.
What are our top picks for treatments?
The GC Skin Boutique Oxygen Facial is perfect for targeting fine lines, blemishes, and overall dull skin. This luxurious treatment involves the application of an anti-ageing serum along with pure pressurised oxygen to the skin. The serum contains Hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin, and Vitamin A to prevent against oxidation (which leads to ageing), along with other nourishing ingredients like Vitamin E, Green Tea, and Aloe Vera.
On the other hand, if you’re trying to treat some more specific concerns, GC Skin Boutique has a range of Speciality Facial Peels to help you target troubles like sun damage, pigmentation, rosacea, congestion, pores, melasma and poor skin texture. The peels also work to rejuvenate the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, and blemishes with little to no trauma to healthy skin cells. If you’re unsure about whether or not a dermaplane treatment can be used in conjunction with any other facial treatment, ask one of our beauticians before your appointment!
If you’re looking for something light and easy, then the Hydrating Facial as part of GC’s Skin Health Treatment menu. Using skin boosting products and LED light technology, this hydrating treatment improves the skin’s texture, tone and appearance.
SO TO RECAP – BENEFITS OF DERMAPLANING:
- Unclogs pores
- Allows skincare to penetrate deeper
- Reducing signs of ageing and visibility of scars
- Brightens dull skin
- Helps skin rejuvenate
- Primes skin for treatments and makeup application
WHO IS DERMAPLANING BEST SUITED TO?
Dermaplane Facials are recommended for all skin types except those with active breakouts, raised facial lesions, or an allergy to nickel. People with highly reactive skin may find that their skin goes pink for a couple of hours after the treatment, however, this is of no concern. Some experience slight sensitivity in their skin for a couple of days, but this feeling subsides rather quickly. Many, however, do experience brighter skin right away. Although the skin is immediately fresher, the real results tend to kick in after a few days, after the skin has calmed and settled.
IS DERMAPLANING THE SAME AS USING A FACE RAZOR?
In short, no. While some of the results are the same—removal of peach fuzz, promotion of skin cell turnover, mild exfoliation—they nowhere near as prominent as the results achieved by dermaplaning. The dermaplane facial can get deeper into pores to help exfoliate as much dead skin as possible, and a face razor cannot get this close to your deeper skin layers.
SIMILAR TREATMENTS
Does the sound of a blade sliding across your skin just rub you the wrong way? Well, that’s ok. There are other treatments available that can achieve similar results. Ultimately, when looking for a facial treatment similar to dermaplaning, you’re wanting to choose one that exfoliates the skin. Some similar facials include microdermabrasion and resurfacing peels.
Microdermabrasion is a treatment similar to dermaplaning in that it is non-invasive and removes the outer layer of dead skin. GC Skin Boutique uses microcrystals to exfoliate the skin and stimulate collagen production. Just like with dermaplaning, there’s no waiting time to see your results. You can instantly see smoother, younger skin.
If you’re looking for something a little more natural, then you might be more inclined to try GC Skin Boutique’s Herbal Aktiv Peel. This entirely plant-based mask promotes and condenses the skin’s natural regenerative process within a five day period. There are no chemicals. There are no acids, and the peel leaves skin with minimal trauma.
WHO’S USING IT?
ZOE FOSTER-BLAKE
The popular writer and Go-To founder has shared her love of dermaplaning on Instagram explaining that it “exfoliates and remove the hair from the face for astonishing makeup application”. In preparation for the Logies this year, Zoe used dermaplaning to prep her face and followed it up with laser genesis (or rejuvenation) to amp up the glow. “Last time I had this I was shocked and delighted at the delayed onset mega glow, which is why I booked this today, so skin is peaking for the Logies on Sunday,” said the skincare founder.
MARILYN MONROE
Before the trend took off on social media and became a cult Hollywood treatment, classic Hollywood stars, such as Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Bettie Page were known to partake in dermaplaning. To look as perfect and camera ready as possible, the Hollywood actresses were known to shave their faces.
HUDA BEAUTY
This beauty guru and beauty brand owner has on multiple occasions expressed her love of face shaving and dermaplaning. “I love shaving my face! I shave every single week now,” shares the social media beauty icon. In addition to regular at-home facial shaving, Huda’s beauty blog shares tips for those wanting to know more about the in-clinic treatment on her blog. “If you need a little more convincing to allow a stranger approach your face with a knife, get ready to be won over… It promotes skin cell turn-over, minimizes fine lines and wrinkles, lessens acne occurrence, brightens skin and reduces hyperpigmentation. It also helps makeup application look smooth and flawless,” her beauty team reveals.
Dermaplaning is the ultimate beauty prep for a big event or occasion (or even if you just want to look extra glam because, why not?). The best part is the results last up for a MONTH—longer if you squeeze in some extra, skin-loving treatments. Want to learn more about weird and wonderful beauty trends that have emerged over time? Read about our top 10 trends from the last decade.
Looking to indulge in some much-needed beauty treatments over your downtime this Summer? Browse through GC Skin Boutiques range of skin health treatments and book in a treatment online.