Dermaplaning Questions Answered

Dermaplaning Questions Answered

Dermaplaning questions were recently asked of me, specifically regarding hair regrowth. For those intrigued by the concept of facial planing that would like more information, please read on and enjoy the attached video.

I love my Wednesday column, because I get to shout to the entire Internet, “Whoop, Whoop, and Happy Hump Day!” (I love that camel.) Anyway, Wednesdays are Ask the Pro Stylist’s designated Q&A. Today’s query regards dermaplaning, and comes from my friend/client Sima.

I just saw a whole segment on a news show about facial planing. It looks like shaving to me. They say it’s supposed to result in a more youthful appearance. I can only surmise that the regrowth will be monstrous. What is your take on this?

I thought this would be a great fit for today, so gave her my quick answer on hair regrowth, which was…

I will write more about this on Wednesday, but no, it’s a fallacy that shaving makes the hair grow back thicker or coarser or increases regrowth. It (the hair removed in dermaplaning) is a different type of hair than pubic or terminal hair, which is coarse and when cut grows in coarse. The hair on the face is villous, and cannot grow back thicker, unless you suffer from those wiry pieces here and there on the chin and upper lip, then it will grow in the same as before, but not thicker.

That answer is what I remembered about hair removal from beauty school and my years of attending trade shows, etc. However, if I am being totally honest, I hadn’t experienced dermaplaning. My spa visits are too far and few in-between, and I am a product junkie, receiving hundreds of samples yearly. So, I did a little research on facial or derma planning and discovered a few facts.

First and foremost, the attached photo is courtesy of Belle Meade Skin & Laser Center, where dermaplaning is provided. The spa treatment has been in practice for some time now. It’s fairly inexpensive, and is manual exfoliation that removes the outer layer of dead skin cells and vellus hair using a #10 surgical blade.

The idea mimics an old-fashioned shave, sans the cream, however this rejuvenates the skin without the use of chemicals. The skin is left vibrant, soft and smooth, ideal for additional hydration or treatments, or upcoming red carpet events or photo shoots where a perfect canvas is needed.

The attached video shows the procedure and explains in detail why the hair won’t regrow thicker. In short, the structure of the hair isn’t altered from the inside via any type of shaving technique. A detailed explanation on hair regrowth and facial planing, derma planing or dermaplaning is linked here.

For example, in the winter, I tend to not shave my legs as often. When the hair grows in, it truly is the same as when I was 14 and started shaving. I don’t have more, it isn’t thicker or coarser, nor is it darker. When I wax, or shave my bikini area the regrowth is the same. If I shaved, I have stubble, which at first feels different than when I waxed because shaving leaves a blunt edge. But, for those who wax understand, you need a little regrowth to wax again, so whether I started with a shave or a wax, the longer hair is the same, regardless of how it was originally removed.

When discussing dermaplaning with my husband, he asked, “Then why when you kiss some women it feels like they have a 5-O’clock shadow?” I explained, some women suffer from terminal hair on the face due to hormones, or they could just have really dry skin and never exfoliate or moisturize.

If you have a hair, nails or beauty question for me similar to dermaplaning, please email me at DeirdreAHaggerty@gmail.com. Until then, happy styling!