Dermaplaning has become a trend in recent years, especially on social media—often in connection with promises of “glass skin,” improved makeup application, and an extra glow. Is all of this true, and should women remove their facial hair, too? We’ll explain what happens during dermaplaning and what results you can really expect. 

Dermaplaning is, so to speak, the female equivalent of a facial shave for men. During the procedure, a small razor is used to gently remove the fine hairs across the entire face. The exciting thing about it: The procedure is essentially not just hair removal, but also a physical exfoliation, because the blade removes dead skin cells from the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum. These “old” skin cells and the fine facial fuzz can make the complexion look dull, which is why the treatment often comes with the promise of a subtle glow. 

1. CLEANING

Cleanse your face with a mild cleanser, such as the Ten out of Ten Gentle Gel Cleanser by DR EMI ARPA SKIN, to remove makeup, dirt, and excess sebum. A clean base is essential to prevent bacteria from getting into your freshly exfoliated skin.

2. PREPARATION

Apply facial oil to your entire face. This helps the blade glide more smoothly and reduces the risk of injury.

3. SHAVING

Place the razor on your skin in the direction of hair growth and glide it across your face in gentle, short strokes. As you do so, use your free hand to gently stretch the skin to create a smooth surface.

4. WASHING UP

First, rinse your face with cold water, and then use our mild Ten out of Ten Gentle Gel Cleanser for a final cleanse. This ensures that all loosened hairs and oil residue are thoroughly removed without disrupting your skin’s pH balance.

5. CARE

Apply the Hydra Hero Milky Drops as a soothing treatment, followed by our Barrier Boost or Barrier Boost+. Since the skin barrier is temporarily “open” after mechanical exfoliation, the vegan kefir ferment, ceramides, and panthenol in Hydra Hero help soothe the skin. The ceramides and ectoine in the Barrier Boost products help immediately minimize transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and seal the lipid layer. During the day, finish your routine with an SPF. 

There are many half-truths circulating about dermaplaning, which often cause uncertainty. Perhaps that’s why you, too, are still hesitant about the topic. We’ve taken a closer look at the most common claims and examined them based on dermatological findings so that you can perform your at-home treatment with confidence and achieve satisfying results.

Myth 1: Your hair grows back thicker and darker.

That’s probably the biggest concern—but don’t worry, it’s not based on any physiological fact. Dermaplaning doesn’t change the structure or color of your hair follicles. It simply trims the hairs at the surface. When they grow back, they might feel a little “stubbier” at first because they’re missing their natural, fine tips. However, they’ll grow back with exactly the same texture and color as before.

Myth 2: Dermaplaning causes pimples and blemishes.

Not necessarily, because by removing dead skin cells, we essentially prevent them from clogging the pores and causing inflammation. However, hygiene is important: A sterile blade and proper follow-up cleansing with a cleanser are crucial to preventing breakouts or irritation.

Myth 3: It's painful or damages the skin.

When performed correctly, dermaplaning is generally painless. It involves a superficial exfoliation of the stratum corneum. As long as you use an oil to prepare the skin and let the blade glide gently, the skin barrier remains intact; the treatment simply removes fine hairs and dead skin cells.

In summary, dermaplaning isn't just a social media trend—it can be a treatment that leaves your skin looking radiant. By combining precise hair removal with physical exfoliation, you not only remove fine facial hair but also dead skin cells.

The result is, so to speak, a strategically optimized skin surface: active ingredients can more easily take full effect, while the smoothed texture ensures even light reflection and a flawless makeup finish that looks absolutely even even in daylight. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to worry about thicker hair regrowth, since the hair follicle remains untouched. As long as you consistently prioritize hygiene and use barrier-strengthening and soothing aftercare products, dermaplaning is safe and effective.