Does Dermaplaning Make Hair Grow Back Thicker?
By now, you’ve probably heard of dermaplaning and seen impressive videos on Instagram of people getting dirt, hair, and impurities removed from their faces using a tiny scalpel.
Like most people, you’re probably intrigued by this skincare method and are possibly considering getting it done!
We don’t blame you. The results are impressive!
We’ve seen faces full of dark spots, blemishes, and peach fuzz turn into smooth, soft, and radiant complexions within an hour thanks to dermaplaning. It’s like magic!
However, it’s not permanent — eventually, your peach fuzz will grow back, which is where most people begin worrying.
Does dermaplaning make your hair grow back thicker?
It turns out that neither shaving nor dermaplaning makes your hair grow back thicker, so you don’t have to worry about that at all.
In this article, we’ll discuss the specifics of dermaplaning, how often it can be done, and why it doesn’t cause your hair to grow back thicker.
What Is Dermaplaning?
For those who are unfamiliar, dermaplaning is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure typically performed at a plastic surgeon’s or dermatologist’s office.
The goal of the procedure is to remove the top layer of the dermis, including tiny hairs, dead skin cells, acne scars, and dark spots.
The procedure often has anti-ageing effects as well.
Fine lines and wrinkles become less noticeable, and the skin of the face becomes smooth, clear, and bright. Glowing, if you will.
The way the procedure works is your doctor or technician will use a special dermaplaning tool (a sharp, razor-like scalpel) that glides over your skin at a 45-degree angle.
This technique removes all the above-mentioned impurities without damaging the skin.
The result is a smooth, bright, youthful-looking complexion in under an hour!
The procedure is typically not covered by insurance, so you’ll have to pay for it out of pocket. Most places charge between $150 and $300 for dermaplaning.
Recently, beauty companies have been creating and selling home dermaplaning kits.
That’s right, you can now purchase a kit and perform dermaplaning at home for a fraction of the cost!
Although it comes with a few more risks than hiring a professional, it’s a great way to save money. A typical dermaplaning kit costs around $20.
Dermaplaning Pros And Cons
So far, the procedure sounds like a dream come true, but let’s look at the pros and cons.
Dermaplaning Pros
Here are some of the benefits of dermaplaning:
- Reduces the appearance of acne scars
- Removes dull skin
- Removes dirt and impurities
- Removes dry skin
- Reduces the appearance of fine wrinkles
- Removes peach fuzz and visible hairs on the face
- Reduces breakouts
- Painless procedure
- Can be done in under 1 hour
- Immediate results
- No recovery time needed
- Non-invasive procedure
- Results last 3-5 weeks
- Hair does not grow back thicker
- Gives you a clear, glowing complexion
Dermaplaning Cons
As with any cosmetic procedure, there are also some downsides. Here are a few:
- Costs $150-300 if done professionally
- Not covered by insurance
- Some redness, swelling, and tingling can happen for 48 hours after the procedure
- Not recommended for those who have severe acne, psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, or sunburn
- Not recommended for those taking isotretinoin
- Infection of the skin is possible, especially if you use a DIY dermaplaning kit
- Skin becomes more vulnerable to UV light after the procedure (always wear sunscreen!)
As you can see, dermaplaning offers several advantages, along with a few disadvantages. Most people can undergo dermaplaning without any issues.
The vast majority of patients don’t experience any side effects, and those who do typically recover within 48 hours.
Dermaplaning is an excellent procedure to consider before significant events, such as weddings and photo shoots.
You can undergo dermaplaning once, or you can maintain the results by doing it regularly.
Both options work well. It’s not one of those procedures that you are required to keep up with if you don’t want to.
Does Hair Grow Back After Dermaplaning?
A common hesitation among people considering dermaplaning is concern over how their hair (or peach fuzz) will regrow.
Many people seem to believe the myth that hair grows back thicker, darker, and faster after it is shaved off.
Thankfully, it is an absolute myth.
But it’s important to understand the mechanism of dermaplaning, shaving, and hair growth in order to understand where the myth came from and why you have nothing to worry about with dermaplaning.
How Long Does It Take For Hair To Grow Back After Dermaplaning?
Yes, dermaplaning does remove hair from your face.
You may not even realize how much hair you have on your face because most of it is fine and light.
Depending on genetics, you might have longer or darker peach fuzz than someone else. But almost everyone has some form of hair on their face!
Dermaplaning removes all of that hair, along with dead skin cells, to uncover a smoother and brighter complexion.
Eventually, however, your hair does grow back. Most facial hair for women grows back within 3-5 weeks.
Does It Grow Back Thicker?
No, your hair or peach fuzz will not grow back thicker after dermaplaning.
We’ve mentioned that it’s a myth, but let’s discuss why this myth exists.
This myth most likely originated with people noticing that leg hair or beard hair feels coarser after shaving.
People came to the conclusion that shaving makes hair change on a structural level — but that’s impossible!
There is no scientific evidence that physically shaving hair can alter its genetic structure to make it thicker, darker, or coarser.
The only thing that can change the structure of your hair is medication or a medical condition.
What most likely happens during regular shaving is that the hair gets “cut” by the razor at a 90-degree angle, making the tip of the hair blunt.
Normally, as your hair grows, the tip of the hair becomes thinner and tapered, resulting in a softer feel.
You might even think the hair is lighter in colour because of its thin ends.
When you shave the hair, you remove its thin, tapered end. As it grows out, the first thing you notice is a blunt, thicker end.
This is why one might think that shaving causes hair to grow back thicker!
In reality, your hair doesn’t become thicker — it was this thick all along.
The hair was simply tapered to the point where you didn’t notice how thick it was.
Now that you know that it’s impossible for shaving to make your hair grow back thicker, you might wonder if dermaplaning can cut the ends of your peach fuzz hairs, making them appear thicker as they grow back.
We have good news for you: dermaplaning does not leave blunt ends on your hair.
Because dermaplaning is done at a 45-degree angle, it “cuts” your hair at an angle that maintains its soft, tapered ends.
This means that when your hair grows back after dermaplaning, it will not appear thicker or coarser at all!
How Often Should You Get Dermaplaning?
To maintain the results of dermaplaning, it is recommended to undergo the procedure on a regular basis. However, you don’t want to overdo it, as that can be irritating to the skin.
So, how often should you get it done?
Ultimately, it depends on how quickly your peach fuzz grows back and how thick a layer of dull, dead skin cells your skin develops.
Most people find that getting dermaplaning every 4 weeks is ideal.
This is usually enough time for your skin not to be irritated by the repetitive procedures.
It’s also the optimal time to prevent your skin from getting congested again.
Although 4 weeks is the recommended frequency, you can do it more often or less often depending on how your skin feels.
Some people are perfectly fine with getting it done once every three months or only before major events.
Do whatever works for you, your skin, and your budget!
Keep in mind that getting it done once a week or more frequently is not recommended.
The risks outweigh the benefits if you’re doing it that often.
Your skin is more likely to become irritated, and your natural moisture barrier can become compromised.
In one week’s time, your hair and dead skin cells are unlikely to return to the level where you need them to be dermaplaned.
If you’re in doubt, you can also consult your dermatologist to see what they would recommend for your skin type.
Are There Lasting Effects To Dermaplaning?
Although most of the effects of dermaplaning are temporary, there is something to be said about doing it regularly.
Many people have noticed that their skin becomes less congested over time.
They start to experience fewer breakouts, less scarring, and clearer skin.
This is because regular dermaplaning prevents the build-up of dead skin cells and hair, all of which can trap sebum (oil) that clogs your pores and leads to more breakouts.
When you maintain a dermaplaning routine, you help prevent breakouts, leading to a clearer face overall with fewer blemishes, acne scars, and other associated issues.
Dermaplaning is also regularly used to produce a longer-lasting, anti-ageing effect.
The more you dermaplane, the more your skin retains its glowy, youthful appearance.
It’s hard to say if any of these effects are permanent, but they seem to be long-lasting.
Many people notice that dermaplaning, performed 5-10 times, is sufficient to experience these effects for several years afterwards.
However, there can also be negative, lasting effects.
Dermaplaning can make your skin more susceptible to UV light, also known as sunlight.
If you are not careful, you may damage your skin and accelerate the ageing process.
Unfortunately, the effects of sun damage are often permanent and can be severe, even dangerous.
This is why we believe it’s essential to always wear sunscreen, especially after starting dermaplaning your face.
Additionally, if you cut yourself during dermaplaning, you could end up with a permanent scar.
While these effects are rare, it’s essential to remember that they can occur.
You should choose a high-quality dermaplaning specialist and ensure they have positive reviews.
If you do it yourself, ensure you work in sterile conditions and follow a good tutorial that prioritises safety.
How To Care For Your Skin After Dermaplaning
To ensure that your dermaplaning results are as stunning as possible, proper aftercare is essential.
Immediately After Dermaplaning
The first thing you want to do after dermaplaning is some gentle cleansing.
Your dermatologist may perform this procedure in the office, but if not, you can do it yourself.
All the dead skin cells, hairs, and sebum that were just removed from the surface of your skin are still floating around after your dermaplaning session.
Use cool water and a gentle cleanser to remove all the gunk as soon as possible.
Cool water will help reduce any redness and irritation, while the gentle cleanser will help break away impurities from your face.
Just ensure that the cleanser you’re using doesn’t contain harsh soaps and surfactants.
Another thing you want to do soon after your procedure is apply a hydrating serum, oil, or moisturiser (or all of the above).
The skin on your face is fragile right now, and adding extra hydration can help it regain balance.
Avoid using harsh products, such as acne creams, chemical exfoliators, or retinol, for at least 48 hours.
It’s a good idea to avoid wearing makeup at this time, too.
For A Few Weeks After Dermaplaning
Once the first 48 hours are over, you can resume most of your normal routines.
You can start wearing makeup, touching your face, and using your regular skincare regimen.
We recommend holding off on retinol for a full week, as well as any chemical exfoliants, such as glycolic acid, BHAs, or AHAs.
These products contribute to the removal of the top skin cell layer, which you have already removed through dermaplaning. You don’t want to overexfoliate right now!
Wear a strong, broad-spectrum SPF everywhere you go, even if you spend most of your day inside.
Yes, UV rays do come through the windows, and you may not even realize how much sun exposure you get every day.
Make sure to drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and glowy.
Dermaplaning can sometimes damage your skin’s moisture barrier, and it may take one to two weeks for it to rebuild.
During that time, it’s very important to drink a lot of water!
Avoid doing any other cosmetic procedures for a few weeks as well.
We’re talking fillers, microblading, Botox, and others that break the skin barrier.
It’s best to wait at least two weeks before doing anything to your skin.
Final Thoughts
Dermaplaning is a safe and non-invasive procedure that can give you beautiful results in just one session.
It does not make your facial hair grow back thicker or darker, so don’t even worry about that!
Dermaplaning does have a few uncommon side effects, but with proper aftercare and a quality professional job, you are likely to experience none of them.
Dermaplaning is so safe that you can now do it yourself; however, we recommend consulting a professional the first time you get it done, so you can learn the proper technique.
