What Should You Avoid After Dermaplaning?

June 30, 2023

If you’re looking for a simple aesthetic treatment that can smooth the appearance of fine lines and acne scarring, then you might have found your miracle treatment with dermaplaning. This non-invasive treatment takes about 30 minutes to complete and can easily be incorporated into your regular skincare routine. At Bel Viso Medical Spa in East Greenwich, RI, we are happy to help you build a treatment plan that will allow you to achieve all of your aesthetic goals easily.


Dermaplaning is one of the more simple aesthetic treatments. You can think of it as something similar to shaving your face, but instead of only removing peach fuzz from your cheeks, this advanced exfoliation treatment can also remove dead skin cells to improve the tone and texture of your skin. Performed with a thin sterile blade, expert dermaplaning treatments can instantly transform your face. But what are the dos and don’ts of your treatment?

What Should You Avoid After Dermaplaning?

Just like any other treatment, you will need to follow certain directions after your appointment so your results can develop ideally. Although this treatment is much simpler than other aesthetic treatments, you will still need to adhere to the post-treatment directions. In general, most of the things you should avoid after this treatment are the same things you would avoid after an intense facial. Some specific rules include:

Sun Exposure

The biggest rule to follow is about avoiding unprotected sun exposure. UV rays in the sun are responsible for the vast majority of visible aging and skin damage thanks to the way free radicals from sunlight affect the behavior of your skin cells. By avoiding sun exposure, particularly during the first two weeks after your treatment, you will be able to protect your newly revealed skin cells from UV damage. This will also help your results last longer.


Another reason to avoid sun exposure is to avoid triggering any melanin production in your skin cells, which means avoiding hyperpigmentation and new blemishes. Many patients are surprised to learn that they should be avoiding more than typical sunlight. Activities such as tanning beds and self-tanning products should also be avoided after dermaplaning treatments.

Extreme Heat

What is extreme heat? In a general sense, it’s any situation or activity that will make you sweat or cause your skin to flush. Your skin will be very sensitive after your treatment, so it’s best to avoid any circumstances that may cause inflammation, redness, or skin irritation. For the most part, this means avoiding steam, saunas, hot tubs, hot showers, very hot days, sunlight, and outdoor activities that cause excessive sweating. You may even want to lay off the cardio for a few days.

Exfoliation

Dermaplaning is an advanced exfoliation technique that removes the surface layer of skin cells from your face to reveal fresh, unblemished skin. The exfoliation of this treatment is so complete that you will be advised to avoid any exfoliating skincare products or habits so you don’t irritate your skin. You should not use any scrubbing cleansers, sugar scrubs, or chemical exfoliants (AHAs, retinoids, and Vitamin C) for at least five to seven days after your treatment.

Chlorine

This rule is especially important if you are a frequent swimmer or hot tub soaker. The chlorine in swimming pools can have a detrimental effect on the quality of your new skin cells, specifically in the sense that your skin will become dry and irritated if you are exposed to chlorine too soon after your treatment. It’s a good rule of thumb to avoid pools and hot tubs for at least a week after your treatment.

Make-Up

The final thing to avoid after your appointment is make-up. You should avoid any cosmetics on the face for at least 24 hours. Even if you are applying make-up with your fingers or fresh applicators, the possibility of bacteria on the skin means you are opening the door for skin irritation. Additionally, a lot of make-up can contain ingredients that may be harsh on new skin cells. It’s best to be bare-faced for at least a day after your treatment.

Frequently asked questions

  • What Should You Do After Your Treatment?

    Just like any other treatment, you will need to follow certain directions after your appointment so your results can develop ideally. Although this treatment is much simpler than other aesthetic treatments, you will still need to adhere to the post-treatment directions. In general, most of the things you should avoid after this treatment are the same things you would avoid after an intense facial. Some specific rules include:


    Sun Exposure

    The biggest rule to follow is about avoiding unprotected sun exposure. UV rays in the sun are responsible for the vast majority of visible aging and skin damage thanks to the way free radicals from sunlight affect the behavior of your skin cells. By avoiding sun exposure, particularly during the first two weeks after your treatment, you will be able to protect your newly revealed skin cells from UV damage. This will also help your results last longer.


    Another reason to avoid sun exposure is to avoid triggering any melanin production in your skin cells, which means avoiding hyperpigmentation and new blemishes. Many patients are surprised to learn that they should be avoiding more than typical sunlight. Activities such as tanning beds and self-tanning products should also be avoided after dermaplaning treatments.


    Extreme Heat

    What is extreme heat? In a general sense, it’s any situation or activity that will make you sweat or cause your skin to flush. Your skin will be very sensitive after your treatment, so it’s best to avoid any circumstances that may cause inflammation, redness, or skin irritation. For the most part, this means avoiding steam, saunas, hot tubs, hot showers, very hot days, sunlight, and outdoor activities that cause excessive sweating. You may even want to lay off the cardio for a few days.


    Exfoliation

    Dermaplaning is an advanced exfoliation technique that removes the surface layer of skin cells from your face to reveal fresh, unblemished skin. The exfoliation of this treatment is so complete that you will be advised to avoid any exfoliating skincare products or habits so you don’t irritate your skin. You should not use any scrubbing cleansers, sugar scrubs, or chemical exfoliants (AHAs, retinoids, and Vitamin C) for at least five to seven days after your treatment.


    Chlorine

    This rule is especially important if you are a frequent swimmer or hot tub soaker. The chlorine in swimming pools can have a detrimental effect on the quality of your new skin cells, specifically in the sense that your skin will become dry and irritated if you are exposed to chlorine too soon after your treatment. It’s a good rule of thumb to avoid pools and hot tubs for at least a week after your treatment.


    Make-Up

    The final thing to avoid after your appointment is make-up. You should avoid any cosmetics on the face for at least 24 hours. Even if you are applying make-up with your fingers or fresh applicators, the possibility of bacteria on the skin means you are opening the door for skin irritation. Additionally, a lot of make-up can contain ingredients that may be harsh on new skin cells. It’s best to be bare-faced for at least a day after your treatment.

  • What Should You Do After Your Treatment?

    On the other hand, there are many things you can and should do after dermaplaning to promote good results. For the most part, you should focus on pampering your skin, promoting skin health, and paying attention to what you are exposing your newly revealed skin cells to. Again, because this exfoliation treatment exposes new skin cells, you will need to take special care to avoid any circumstances that can cause skin irritation or damage. Some of the things you should do after your treatment include:


    Serums and Moisturizers

    Part of pampering your skin means infusing your new skin cells with as much moisture and feel-good ingredients as possible. It’s ideal to use a gentle or lightweight moisturizer on your skin for the first few days after your treatment. The goal is to balance your skin, so try not to use any heavy moisturizer. Some people like to use pure aloe vera in place of their regular moisturizer following a treatment.


    You can also use serums, particularly if you are trying to address other skin concerns like acne or anti-aging. However, be mindful of the ingredients in your serums. Remember, you should avoid any ingredients that will accelerate cellular turnover. Goof serums to use include niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. We can give you other serum recommendations after your treatment.


    Sun Protection

    Protecting your skin from the sun is vital after your treatment. You should apply sunscreen about 15 minutes before you plan to be outside and be sure to reapply every two hours if you intend to be outside for long periods. While most people can get buy with SPF 30 or 40, those with especially fair skin or sensitive skin should opt for higher grades of sunscreen for better protection. Following an exfoliation treatment, mineral-based sunscreens are generally the best option.


    Warm Water and Gentle Cleansers

    Finally, when it comes to taking care of your skin following your treatment, you should also prioritize using warm water and gentle cleansers. A gentle cleanser is typically free of any ingredients that increase cellular turnover. Search for oil-based cleansers so you don’t strip your new skin cells of moisture and look out for cleansers that promote moisture retention and skin health.

  • What Can You Expect From This Treatment?

    Now that you know what you should and shouldn’t do after your treatment, let’s discuss what you can expect from the treatment itself. Dermaplaning is a treatment that greatly resembles a facial, so you can anticipate a straightforward treatment process.


    After your skin has been cleansed to remove dirt, oil, make-up, and other impurities, a sterile blade will skim over your face to remove dead skin cells and peach fuzz, leaving your skin visibly more even-toned. Then, we may apply a soothing serum or moisturizer to finish your treatment. This treatment is sometimes combined with other aesthetic treatments, such as a basic facial.



  • What Are the Benefits of This Treatment?

    In addition to promoting a more even skin tone and smoothing away textural concerns, there are many attractive benefits of this treatment to consider. For example, because this treatment removes peach fuzz from the skin surface, the skin benefits because excess oil and debris will no longer rest on the surface of the skin, which means you may be able to better control acne breakouts with regular treatments.


    You can also enhance the appearance of make-up after your treatment. When the skin is smooth and free of peach fuzz, cosmetics can glide over the skin more evenly and beautifully. And you will even benefit from better product absorption, as the removal of the dead skin barrier will enable your skincare products to penetrate your skin better and work more effectively.

Promote Better and More Beautiful Skin

The journey to skin perfection is sometimes a trial and error process of skin products and treatments that work to produce your ideal aesthetic goals. However, you can more easily achieve your goals when you start at the root of many of your skin problems – dead skin cells.


By removing dead skin cells from the skin surface, you can improve the tone and texture of your skin, promote the health of your skin, and even enjoy better results from other treatments. If you think dermaplaning is right for you, please contact us at Bel Viso Medical Spa in East Greenwich, RI to schedule your initial appointment today.

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