Hi Dr. Belle,
Can you tell me what dermaplaning is? I have heard about it but can't find any info on it. Is a wire mesh used by hand or is it done by a machine?
Thanks ~ Poundpup

Not the doc, here-of course. But, most estheticians do dermaplaning with a special tool.

With that said, you can do it yourself at home, simply by shaving your face every day.

My derm suggested it when I was in my mid-30's and I started then-but not regularly. I've been doing it more regularly since my face lift last year. My doc swears if you do it daily, you will have amazing results. Lots of ladies on the face lift board tried it after I suggested it last year and loved the results. Search on Shavin Mavins on the face lift thread to read about it.

Don't fall for the wives tales that shaving will make your facial hair grow back darker or thicker--it won't. What it will do is feel stubbly (is that a word?) because the ends are blunt and it will eventually get all of your facial hair in the same growing phase, so you may feel like the hair is thicker but it is not really--just all growing at the same time. No facial hair is a great by-product of this DIY dermaplaning.

Give it a try, don't be afraid....

D

Hey there, Dr. Belle?! hehe. This is just a screen name as I'm having fun. But none the less, Dermaplaning is done with a tool called a dermatone... basically, a non-threatening new label for a scalpel handle with a 10 blade.

The benefit over microderm is that you have better depth control, and don't leave mico-crystals in the skin and hopefully (if the aesthetician is good) won't leave little tears in the skin. If you go to an aesthetician and she claims that you may feel tiny scabs, or blade marks, she/he isn't good.

It's wildly effective if done regularly, and like D said, even shaving will give you a boost in between treatments. And, the bonus is no facial hair.

Thanks for the responses...and the clarification
I'm wondering if it would be good to use on a surgical scar on the outer corner of my eye. It's a little bumpy, slightly indented, and about 3/4" long. The fraxel helped alot, but I don't want to keep doing it for the scar alone. I highly doubt I can find anyone where I live who does it. Do you think it's something I can do myself? (given being able to get my hands on the tool)
Thanks ~PP

With an electric razor?

No, a nice hand held, regular razor-preferably one made for faces as it's less likely to knick the face.

D

Wow, D, I had no idea.

What results can one expect, and in what sort of time frame, generally speaking?

Doing this daily is a good idea?

Thanks for the education!

kim

Doing it daily will help with skin texture. It's really souped up exfoliation without the fuss and muss. I do it in the shower most days. I get in a hurry sometimes and forget, but if I do it every day my skin looks brighter and healthier.

Lots of ladies on the face lift board did it and really liked the results. You will become addicted once you start doing it as it helps with texture and an added benefit if you are peri or post menopausal it will also take care of all that peach fuzz that starts growing after that time..............

Good luck!

D

Wow, thanks so much. Now I'll just have to be careful and not nick myself!

kim

Questions, so many questions....

D, I assume face should be wet? Should shaving cream or some sort of lotion be used?

Also, any reason this should not be done on the neck and chest?


kim

I just use my soap to lather my face a little. I DO shave my neck! Never tried to shave my chest, so thanks for that idea .

Be careful around the ears (targus) as I've knicked myself there more than once. Also, go slow around the mouth as that area can get tricky, too.

Too bad that younger girls don't do this. It's a great "habit" to form early for exfoliation.

Wive's tales persist about hair growing back thicker when it's shaved, so lots of ladies/girls won't try it.

I think you will be pleased with the results, even if only for the fuzz removal part.

Good luck.

D

I'd be careful using a scalpel on your face (also might be tricky to buy one!)!

The shaving does work. Make sure to use moderate pressure. Like i've said before, I'm a bad example, and dermaplane myself. But, I've also tried the shaving thing in the shower (in a hurry). Just don't tell my honey He wonders why his razor is dull.

Cheers, KD

FYI, KDBMD is not a doctor. I believe she has changed her signature to reflect she is a med student.

D

Do you mean to use a man's facial razor? Or is there a different facial razor for women? If you know a specific brand that would be great. Thanks so the idea!

It's left up to you. I've used a good men's disposable and good ladies' disposable (normally used for legs) and I've used not so good generic ones. I ended up knicking myself with the less expensive, generic ones.

Just go slowly and be careful, and it probably won't matter what you use. Use a good moisturizer afterwards as you really are taking off a small. thin amount of the top layer of the skin. You don't want to mess with your skin "barrier" this time of year (cold weather).

Good luck.

D