Dermaplaning is one of those treatments that sounds more intimidating than it actually is. Someone is taking a blade to your face — that is the part people fixate on. But in practice, dermaplaning is one of the gentlest, lowest-risk treatments available in a medical spa, and the results are immediate: smoother texture, better product absorption, and a surface that makeup glides over instead of clinging to.
So is it actually good for your skin? The short answer is yes — for most people, dermaplaning is a safe and effective exfoliation method with real, visible benefits. But like any treatment, it is not right for everyone, and understanding what it does (and does not do) helps you decide whether it belongs in your routine.
What Dermaplaning Actually Does to Your Skin
Dermaplaning is a physical exfoliation technique. A licensed esthetician uses a sterile surgical scalpel — held at a 45-degree angle — to gently scrape away the outermost layer of dead skin cells along with fine vellus hair, commonly called peach fuzz. The procedure takes about 30 minutes, requires no numbing or anesthesia, and has zero downtime.
That layer of dead cells and fine hair is not just cosmetic clutter. It traps oil, dirt, and product residue against your skin, contributes to a dull or rough appearance, and creates a barrier that prevents serums and active ingredients from penetrating effectively. Removing it does three things at once: it immediately smooths the skin’s texture, it creates a cleaner surface for product absorption, and it eliminates the peach fuzz that can make makeup look uneven or cakey.
The results are visible the moment you leave the chair. Your skin feels noticeably smoother, looks brighter, and has a more even tone. These results typically last three to four weeks — roughly aligned with your skin’s natural cell turnover cycle — which is why most patients schedule dermaplaning every four to six weeks to maintain the effect.
Dermaplaning vs. Shaving: Why They Are Not the Same
This is the most common question people have before trying dermaplaning, and it is a fair one. Both involve a blade removing hair from the face. But the similarities end there.
Shaving uses a consumer razor designed to cut hair at the skin’s surface. It does not exfoliate. It does not remove dead skin cells. The blade angle and pressure are controlled entirely by you, and the results are limited to hair removal — your skin texture does not change.
Dermaplaning uses a single-edge surgical scalpel held at a precise angle by a trained professional. The technique is designed to simultaneously remove vellus hair and exfoliate the top layer of dead skin. The blade, the angle, the pressure, and the technique are all fundamentally different from shaving, and the outcome reflects that. You are not just removing peach fuzz — you are resurfacing.
The other important distinction is what happens afterward. One of the most persistent myths about dermaplaning is that hair will grow back thicker or darker. It will not. Dermaplaning cuts vellus hair at the surface — it does not alter the follicle, the hair’s pigment, or its growth pattern. Your peach fuzz grows back at the same thickness, color, and rate as before. The blunt tip of a freshly cut hair may feel slightly different as it grows in, but that is a tactile illusion, not a change in the hair itself.
The Real Benefits
Immediate texture improvement. This is the benefit patients notice most. The combination of exfoliation and hair removal creates a surface that feels genuinely smooth — not the temporary smoothness of a moisturizer, but a physical change in the skin’s texture that lasts weeks.
Better product absorption. When the dead cell layer is removed, every product you apply afterward — serums, moisturizers, SPF — makes better contact with living skin cells. This matters especially for active ingredients like vitamin C, retinoids, and peptides, where penetration directly determines effectiveness. If you are investing in medical-grade skincare like SkinBetter Science or Revision Skincare, dermaplaning ensures you are getting the full value out of those products rather than having them sit on top of a dead skin barrier.
Smoother makeup application. This is the benefit that makes dermaplaning a go-to for pre-event prep. Peach fuzz catches foundation and powder, creating a slightly uneven or textured look — especially in photos and under certain lighting. After dermaplaning, makeup applies more evenly and sits closer to the skin, which translates to a more natural, polished finish. This is why we frequently recommend pairing dermaplaning with a HydraFacial before weddings, headshots, and other events.
Brighter, more even appearance. Removing the layer of accumulated dead cells reveals the fresher skin underneath, which reflects light more evenly. Patients often describe their skin as looking “brighter” after dermaplaning — not because pigmentation has changed, but because the surface is smoother and more uniform.
No chemicals, no downtime. Unlike chemical exfoliation — peels, acids, retinoids — dermaplaning achieves exfoliation through physical removal. There is no chemical reaction in the skin, no healing response to manage, and no recovery period. You can return to your normal routine immediately, including wearing makeup the same day.
What to Realistically Expect
Dermaplaning is a surface-level treatment, and setting the right expectations matters. Here is what it does well and where its limits are.
Dermaplaning is excellent for addressing dullness, rough texture, peach fuzz, dry flakes, and uneven product absorption. It creates a noticeable, immediate improvement in how your skin looks and feels, and it preps the skin beautifully for other treatments or for makeup application.
Dermaplaning is not a treatment for acne scarring, deep wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, or skin laxity. It works on the surface — it does not stimulate collagen, it does not penetrate into the dermis, and it does not address concerns that live deeper in the skin. For those concerns, treatments like microneedling, chemical peels, or RF microneedling are more appropriate — and dermaplaning can be a useful complement to those treatments by preparing the skin’s surface before they are performed.
After a session, you may notice very slight pinkness that fades within an hour or two. That is the extent of what most patients experience. Because you have exposed fresh skin, you should wear sunscreen daily (which you should be doing anyway) and avoid harsh exfoliants like retinol, glycolic acid, and physical scrubs for about 48 hours to let the new surface settle.
Who Dermaplaning Is Not For
Dermaplaning is safe for the vast majority of skin types, but there are situations where it is not appropriate.
Active acne. If you have active inflammatory breakouts — pustules, cysts, or widespread inflamed bumps — dermaplaning can spread bacteria across the skin and irritate already compromised areas. This does not mean acne-prone skin can never be dermaplaned. It means your provider needs to evaluate whether your skin is in a state where the treatment is safe. If your acne is well-managed and you are between active flares, dermaplaning may still be an option.
Active rosacea or eczema flares. Skin that is actively inflamed, irritated, or compromised should not be exfoliated further. If you have rosacea or eczema that is well-controlled, talk to your provider about whether dermaplaning makes sense during stable periods.
Recent chemical peels or laser treatments. If your skin is still healing from another procedure, adding dermaplaning on top of that creates too much exfoliation. Your provider will advise on appropriate spacing between treatments.
Accutane use. Patients currently on isotretinoin (Accutane) or who have been off it for less than six months should avoid dermaplaning. The medication thins the skin significantly and increases sensitivity to any form of exfoliation.
A good provider will screen for all of these during your consultation. If dermaplaning is not right for your skin at the moment, they will tell you — and recommend what is.
How Dermaplaning Pairs with Other Treatments
One of dermaplaning’s biggest advantages is how well it works as a foundation for other treatments. Removing the dead skin and peach fuzz barrier first allows everything that follows to work more effectively.
HydraFacial + Dermaplaning is one of the most popular combinations at ELLEMES. Dermaplaning clears the surface so the HydraFacial’s vortex serums can absorb into clean, fuzz-free skin. Patients who have tried a HydraFacial both with and without dermaplaning consistently report that the combination produces noticeably better results.
Chemical Peels + Dermaplaning follows the same logic. When the dead cell layer is already removed, the peel solution makes more even contact with the skin and penetrates more consistently. This improves both the exfoliation and the brightening results of the peel. The VI Peel in particular pairs well with dermaplaning for patients addressing pigmentation and texture simultaneously.
Custom Facials + Dermaplaning turns a standard facial into a deeper treatment. Extractions are easier on prepped skin, and the serums and masks applied during the facial absorb more effectively when the surface barrier has been removed.
BBL Photofacial + Dermaplaning is an effective combination for patients targeting sun damage and uneven tone. Smooth, prepped skin responds better to light-based treatments, and addressing texture and tone in the same session saves time without adding risk.
At ELLEMES, dermaplaning is available as a standalone treatment at $125 per session or as an add-on to any facial service for $50. The add-on option makes it easy to incorporate into treatments you are already booking. Multi-session packages are also available — a 3-pack at 10% off and a 5-pack at 15% off — for patients who want to make dermaplaning a regular part of their routine.
How Often Should You Get Dermaplaning
Every four to six weeks is the standard recommendation, and that interval is not arbitrary — it is aligned with your skin’s natural cell turnover cycle. Roughly every 28 to 40 days, your skin produces a new layer of cells that pushes older, dead cells to the surface. Dermaplaning on a four-to-six-week cadence removes that buildup before it accumulates enough to dull your complexion or interfere with product absorption.
Some patients come in more frequently before a specific event or during a period where they want their skin consistently prepped — for example, monthly dermaplaning leading up to a wedding. Others come in seasonally or as needed when their skin starts feeling rough or dull. There is no mandatory schedule. Your provider can help you determine the right frequency based on your skin type, your goals, and what other treatments you are doing.
Dermaplaning at ELLEMES
At ELLEMES Medical Spa, dermaplaning is performed by our licensed estheticians — Lauren Siso, Jaycee Zotti, and Christian Carter — all of whom are experienced in combining dermaplaning with other treatments to get the best results for your specific skin. Whether you book it as a standalone session or add it on to a HydraFacial, peel, or custom facial, your provider will evaluate your skin first and make sure the treatment is appropriate for where your skin is right now.
If you are not sure whether dermaplaning is right for you, a consultation will sort that out quickly.
Learn more about dermaplaning at ELLEMES →
Book a complimentary consultation →
ELLEMES Medical Spa is located at 5505 Peachtree Dunwoody Road in Sandy Springs, GA — serving patients from Buckhead, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, and greater Atlanta.