No fuzz, no fuss
Is face shaving the answer to better skin?
Is face shaving the answer to better skin?
Ladies, have you ever had your facial hair removed? No, not the stray hairs on your eyebrows. This is about your peach fuzz, those very fine hairs on your face that you barely notice. Called dermaplaning or face shaving, this claims to exfoliate, smoothen, and brighten skin by shaving the face with a surgical scalpel.
Can this solve dull skin and clogged pores for good?
Dermaplaning, also called face shaving or a scalpel facial, does sound strange, especially if done to or by women. But apparently, it’s nothing new. Dermaplaning has been practiced for decades by dermatologists and surgeons as it used to be done prior to other treatments such
as peeling or as another way to exfoliate the skin. Nowadays, it serves as a treatment on its own. Dermaplaning involves using a medical-grade scalpel to scrape the skin and remove the dead skin cells on the skin’s surface and to also get rid of vellus hairs, those very fine and short hairs that grow on our face and body to help regulate the body’s temperature. Vellus hairs, also called peach fuzz, grow on the face, chest, back, abdomen, and arms. The amount of vellus hairs, and how visible they are, varies from person to person. As puberty strikes, some of these vellus hairs grow out and become terminal hairs because of the increase in androgen. These terminal hairs are much longer, darker, and more visible. And because of androgen, it is more prominent among males. Because dermaplaning removes the vellus hairs and dead skin cells immediately, the effect is smoother, brighter skin in an instant. It also helps skin care products absorb better, prevents clogged pores, and helps makeup to sit better on the skin. Moreover, this is sometimes preferred than threading and waxing because it is less painful. While it boasts an immediate brightening and smoothening effect, some are worried that the hair might grow thicker or darker. Don’t worry, however, as hairs on any part of your body do not grow back thicker or darker (unless vellus hairs change to terminal hairs in puberty or there are endocrinologic imbalances). The blunt tip that cuts with shaving only creates the thick illusion.
Dermaplaning is a pretty quick procedure as it gets done in under an hour. It does not have downtime and may be performed regularly every two to four weeks, depending on how fast your skin recovers and the vellus hairs grow back. Dermaplaning is best recommended for those with dry and dull skin. While it can prevent clogged pores and breakouts, it is not recommended for those with super sensitive skin or those with inflamed, cystic acne as it can cause further inflammation. So if you are a candidate and your skin is in need of a skin boost, face shaving may be the quick and easy facial treatment for you.
Dermaplaning has done wonders for a lot of patients, boasting brighter, smoother, and healthier skin. While some may have done this on their own at home, it is still best to seek professional treatment and consultation as precise shaving and the right equipment are needed to be able to reap its skin benefits. If your skin is not suitable for dermaplaning, other treatment alternatives such as alpha and beta hydroxy acid peels for mild exfoliation and laser hair removal may be your best bet. So, even if your friends swear by dermaplaning, save the shaving for later and ask your doc first! Always be safe when it comes to your skin!
Dermaplaning involves using a medical-grade scalpel to scrape the skin and remove the dead skin cells on the skin’s surface and to also get rid of vellus hairs.