We all want our skin to look its best, no matter what our age. Sometimes it doesn’t, though, and it’s hard to pinpoint why. If you’re struggling with a dull and uneven tone or fine lines and uneven texture, there’s a versatile treatment that can help. Call Elements Rejuvenating Med Spa in Davenport, FL and ask about dermaplaning.
What Causes Imperfections?
You may have a great skincare routine full of nourishing products that you know should be feeding your skin, but they seem to have lost their healing properties. They didn’t: your skin may have just formed a barrier to fully absorbing what they can provide.
Your skin can look dull and make you feel you have to scrap your whole routine. The truth is, you have a layer of dead skin cells, microscopic debris, peach fuzz and sebum that can build up and act like a dull mask covering your once-glowing complexion.
Lines and Wrinkles
The problem with lines and wrinkles, aside from their existence, is their appearance can be highlighted when dead skin cells build up. Your skin is more likely to dry out because the moisture you’re trying to infuse can’t penetrate deep enough to plump them and help reduce their appearance.
Breakouts
If you’re experiencing more blemishes than normal, you could have oil, dirt and debris in your pores that can’t make its way out. The longer your pores are clogged, the larger they’ll become and the more acne-prone you’ll be. The bacteria that causes acne will be tougher to wash off too, adding to the problem.
Uneven Texture
Buildup doesn’t happen in a smooth and even layer. The rough spots you’re experiencing could be because of build up on top of and underneath your complexion. You have a lot of peach fuzz on your face, and that collects microscopic debris.
Sun/Age Spots
When your skin is exposed to the harmful UV rays of the sun, it produces more melanin. Melanin gives our skin its pigment. The more melanin you have, the darker your skin. But melanin doesn’t just give us our overall skin color. It also erupts in bursts in response to sun exposure. Over time, or with a bad enough burn, you can develop permanent brown spots that disrupt your clear complexion and can add an aged appearance to your skin.
Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is a skin rejuvenation treatment that’s getting a lot of press because of those satisfying YouTube videos showing real time results. The results are immediate and amazing. The best part? There are no needles, nothing invasive, it’s completely comfortable, and it requires zero downtime.
What Is Dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is the removal of the top layer of your skin, dead skin cells, dirt, debris and peach fuzz. It sounds like a big and complicated job, but it’s a fairly simple, albeit effective, treatment. Your skincare specialist will use a medical grade scalpel held at a 45-degree angle and gently scrape off everything you don’t want on your skin.
We know it can sound intimidating, but as long as you’re only going to professional and experienced skincare professionals, it’s 100% safe. They will take their time, and you’ll experience no discomfort. It literally feels like all the grime and impurities are being shaved off your face; because they are. But this is more than a shave.
Is Dermaplaning Good for My Skin?
When you see what it will scrape off your face, you might gasp, but you’ll definitely realize it’s no wonder your skin looked dull. This treatment is good for your skin in a number of ways.
Peach Fuzz
The technical term is vellus hair. The pores all over our bodies have hair growing out of them except on the palms of our hands and bottoms of our feet. There’s something unique about the hair on your face, though. It’s subject to makeup and whatever is on your hands each time you touch it. The average person touches their face about four times an hour.
No matter how diligent we are about washing our hands, some gunk we touch makes it to our faces. Our peach fuzz can act as a magnet and become weighed down and dull. Imagine if you applied all your makeup to your hair every day! Even if you washed it every night, eventually residue would dull it and weigh it down. Over time, these hairs on our faces add to a very dull complexion.
Dead Skin Cells
Our skin regenerates about every 28 days, which means each cell dies to make room for a new one. It also means that we have those dead cells on our skin, and they don’t always make it off. If they’re packed down by makeup, oil and peach fuzz, they will linger and form a dull barrier to the brighter, newer cells underneath.
Clogged Pores
We’re not suggesting you have this done if you’re in the middle of a bad cystic breakout, but if you’re riddled with blackheads and large pores, this treatment can seem like a miracle. Because of the way your specialist will manipulate your skin, your pores can be unclogged and will minimize.
Better Absorption of Products and Other Treatments
A wonderful benefit to this treatment is how it opens your skin up to better absorb your facial products. We recommend working with your skincare specialist to make sure you’re using the best products for your skin type and areas of concern because whatever you use will sink deep into your skin.
Many clients choose to have another treatment done after dermaplaning, like a chemical peel or platelet rich plasma therapy. Dermatologists and skincare professionals agree the benefits of treatments that rely on penetrating the skin are much better after this treatment. Even having a nutrient-rich and hydrating facial will amp up your results.
What to Expect
Once you and your skincare specialist have decided this will address your areas of concern, there are only a few things you need to do to prepare for treatment:
- Stop any harsh exfoliants, including scrubs, AHAs, BHAs and retinoids for 5-7 days before
- Don’t wax, thread or shave for two weeks before treatment
- Avoid direct sun exposure by wearing sunscreen for two weeks prior to treatment
- Don’t use self-tanning products for a week before
Your Treatment
You’ll lay back on the treatment chair, and your specialist will get close enough to see the details of your skin. They will start to gently scrape your skin. They’re not rough, and you won’t be in discomfort. It will feel like your face is being shaved. They may show you everything they’re removing as they go, and you’ll be shocked.
When the session is over after about 30 minutes, they’ll apply a nourishing serum or moisturizer and sunscreen. This is when you’ll move on to the next treatment if you’re doing more than one. There’s no downtime, so you can slide right back into your daily routine. You’ll need to follow post-treatment instructions that may include avoiding retinols and other exfoliants for a certain amount of time, depending on your skin.
When Can I Expect Results?
Immediately! If you take selfies immediately before and after your treatment, you will be shocked at how bright and glowing your skin is. Most people don’t put on makeup for days after because their skin is so miraculously clear and soft. But when you do put on makeup, it’s going to be a game-changer.
Most makeup we use sits on top of our peach fuzz and dead cells. After this treatment, it will go on the way it was always supposed to: smooth and clean, without streaks. It comes off in a snap too, taking you right back to your glowing new complexion. Other results you’ll see after treatment include:
- Even texture and tone
- A softening of fine lines
- Smaller pores
- Reduced or eliminated blackheads
- A silky softness
How Many Sessions Do I Need?
To see immediate results, you only need one. It’s recommended to have this done once a month as your skin regenerates and your peach fuzz grows back. Over time, this will improve your collagen production, which can further improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Dispelling Myths
Won’t My Hair Grow Back Thicker and Darker?
No, absolutely not. In fact, it’s physically impossible for this to happen. Your hair color and texture are determined in the hair follicle deep below the surface of your skin. This is only taking hair from the top of your skin, so however your facial hair looked like before treatment is exactly how it will look after.
Won’t This Cause Breakouts?
This treatment prevents breakouts, not the opposite. Remember, it’s removing dirt and debris from your skin along with any bacteria that may linger on the surface. Your topical treatments will work better, you’ll be able to cleanse your skin on a deeper level and apply soothing, natural ingredients to keep it calm.
Is This Safe for All Skin Colors?
Yes! This treatment doesn’t use heat or lasers, which can sometimes be a concern for clients with darker skin tones. This just removes dead skin cells and fuzz so there’s no risk of damaging the melanin or altering the pigment of anyone’s skin.
Can’t I Do This At Home?
There are a lot of DIY ideas out there that you can shave your face and get the same results. You can’t. Razors won’t exfoliate the way a professional treatment does. Your skincare specialist manipulates your skin throughout the process to reach deeper than you ever could at home. And even though they’re using a scalpel, what they do is safer.
There’s a big risk to taking a razor to your face. Think about how many men walk around with scabs and cuts or how many times you’ve nicked your ankle or knee. Your skin is more delicate, and using a razor or a self-proclaimed at home dermaplaning tool carries with it too much risk without any of the rewards.
Treatments You Can Add
Talk to your skincare specialist about the add-on treatments they recommend to complement this treatment. Depending on the condition of your skin, your age and your areas of concern, they may recommend:
- Chemical peels
- Platelet rich plasma therapy
- HydraFacial
- Customized facials
Also, ask for a recommended skincare routine to enhance your results. There are even skincare makeup lines available line EMINENCE and SkinCeuticals that offer makeup that actually improves the condition and health of your skin.
Make an Appointment for Better Skin Health
If you’re struggling with dull skin and other imperfections that are making you unhappy and you’re ready to do something about it, call Elements Rejuvenating Med Spa in Davenport, FL. We’re committed to highlighting your natural beauty and helping your skin look and feel its best. We offer a wide range of solutions and look forward to helping you meet all your skincare goals.
