Dermaplaning, also known as epidermal levelling, is an expert-performed beauty therapy that exfoliates the top layers of the skin to remove dead cells and fine hair, to give a smooth and youthful appearance. The practice is performed by a skin therapist, plastic surgeon, dermatologist or cosmetologist, and involves the use of a small blade called a dermatome, that gently levels out the skin around imperfections.
It is an incredibly safe treatment and doesn’t require time off work or life for recovery. The largest hurdle can be finding an available professional to perform the epidermal levelling.
Which Skin Conditions Does Epidermal Levelling Treat?
Epidermal Levelling can have a positive impact on a number of skin types and conditions:
- Dry and dehydrated skin
- Areas damaged or stressed by sun and element exposure
- Oily skin
- Fine lines and aged skin
- Grades 1 and 2 acne
- Scar tissue
- Redness of the skin, which can be the result of thickening and collagen overproduction
When is Epidermal Levelling not recommended?
This therapy cannot be performed on skin that has trauma or is inflamed from conditions like cold sores, red and blistered sunburn or if active acne is present (acne scarred skin can be treated). Unfortunately, keloid scars cannot be treated with epidermal levelling, as these are a type of scar tissue that continually grows as a result of too much collagen in the skin. Other times the procedure should be avoided include when the skin has eczema, psoriasis or broken skin.
What are the Benefits?
The benefits include reinvigoration of the skin to appear brighter and younger, with fine wrinkles and blemishes far less visible. The treatment clears oils and debris from the skin surface, resulting in cleaner and decongested skin that gives a healthier-looking complexion. It allows deeper product penetration and is best paired with clinical facials and skin masks. Makeup goes on in a manner that is far smoother, increasing the appearance of flawless skin.
How does it Work?
The dermatome used for this therapy looks a lot like a regular razor, and the treatment has a similar approach to shaving, in that a blade is run across the skin at a 45-degree angle. This is where the similarities end, as the process also removes dead and damaged skin cells, debris and scar tissue, taking away the damaged top layer and allowing the newer skin beneath to shine.
The treatment will begin in the practitioner’s rooms, where the client will recline in a chair. A numbing spray or another alternative may be offered for the facial skin, and the client should not feel anything more than a numb tingling throughout the session. The therapy itself, where the skin is gently exfoliated with the dermatome, takes 20 to 30 minutes on average, and afterwards, the affected area will be applied with aloe vera, or a similar product, and protected with sunscreen.
Preparations before Dermaplaning and Epidermal Levelling
Your specialist will take you through the preparations required before undertaking this beauty therapy. The below list is a general guide.
- Do not use chemical exfoliants, retinol or other exfoliants 7 days before the therapy
- Avoid harsh UV radiation exposure from the sun after the procedure, particularly for the first 3 days and wear sunscreen that is at least SPF 30
- Keep your skin hydrated with serums and moisturisers. Your dermaplaning expert will be able to recommend the ideal products.
How often should Epidermal Levelling be done?
Usually, the results of epidermal levelling can be seen as soon as the therapy is done, with some people claiming to have an instant glow. However, the best results are evident after two or three days, as this is the time it takes for any redness to disappear. The process clears away the dead skin tissue that accumulates over three weeks, so the benefits of epidermal levelling can also fade over the same time period. It is recommended to have the therapy completed once a month for optimal results and to always enjoy the benefits of the practice.
For before and after pictures of Dermaplaning and Epidermal Levelling treatments, as well as more details on the procedure, click here.