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Smooth, fresh-looking skin often starts with removing what is sitting on the surface. Dead skin buildup, dry patches, and fine facial hair can make the complexion look dull, cause makeup to apply unevenly, and keep skincare products from absorbing as well as they could.
At Soleil Medical Spa, Dermaplaning is a professional exfoliating treatment designed to reveal softer, brighter-looking skin with little to no downtime for many clients. For anyone considering Dermaplaning in Portland, OR, knowing what to do before and after your appointment can help protect your skin and support the best possible experience.
What should you avoid before and after a dermaplaning appointment?
Before and after dermaplaning, avoid harsh exfoliants, retinoids, sun exposure, waxing, and irritating skincare products unless your provider gives different instructions.
Understanding Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is a professional exfoliation treatment that uses a sterile blade to gently remove dead skin cells and fine vellus hair from the surface of the face. This process can help the skin feel smoother, look brighter, and create a cleaner surface for skincare and makeup application.
The treatment is often chosen by people who want a quick skin refresh without chemical peeling, injections, or extended downtime. Dermaplaning does not change the structure of the hair follicle, so it does not make facial hair grow back thicker or darker. When performed by a trained professional, it can be a comfortable way to improve surface texture and support a healthy-looking glow.
Step 1: Pause Harsh Exfoliation Before Treatment
In the days leading up to dermaplaning, avoid strong exfoliating products unless your provider says otherwise. This may include scrubs, exfoliating brushes, glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, peel pads, and strong resurfacing products.
The goal is to arrive with a calm, healthy skin barrier. If your skin is already irritated or freshly exfoliated, dermaplaning may feel more uncomfortable and may increase redness or sensitivity.
Gentle cleansing and moisturizing are usually better choices before your appointment.
Step 2: Stop Retinoids Temporarily
Retinoids and retinol products can increase skin sensitivity, especially when combined with exfoliating treatments. Many providers recommend pausing retinoids for a short period before dermaplaning.
This includes prescription retinoids and over-the-counter retinol products. The exact timing depends on your skin and the product’s strength, so follow your provider’s instructions.
If you are unsure whether a product counts as a retinoid, bring it to your appointment or ask ahead of time.
Step 3: Avoid Waxing or Threading Before Dermaplaning
Waxing and threading can irritate the skin and remove surface cells. Doing them too close to dermaplaning can increase sensitivity.
If you need brow shaping or facial hair removal, ask your provider how to time those services. Dermaplaning already removes fine facial hair from the treatment area, so additional hair removal may not be necessary on the same areas.
Proper spacing of services helps reduce the risk of irritation.
Step 4: Stay Out of the Sun
Sunburned or recently overexposed skin should not be dermaplaned. Sun exposure can make the skin more reactive, dry, and vulnerable to irritation.
Before your appointment, protect your skin with sunscreen, hats, and shade. Avoid tanning beds as well. If your skin is red, hot, peeling, or tender from sun exposure, rescheduling may be the safest choice.
This step matters especially in seasons when outdoor activities increase.
Step 5: Arrive With Clean Skin
On the day of your dermaplaning appointment, arrive with clean skin if possible. Avoid heavy makeup, thick creams, or facial oils right before treatment.
Your provider will cleanse the skin before beginning, but arriving without layers of product can make the process smoother. It also helps your provider better assess your skin condition.
If you are coming from work or errands, do not worry. Your provider can cleanse your skin properly before treatment.
Step 6: Tell Your Provider About Skin Changes
Before treatment begins, tell your provider if you have had any recent breakouts, cold sores, rashes, irritation, sunburn, new medications, or recent cosmetic treatments.
Even small changes matter. Dermaplaning may need to be adjusted or postponed if your skin is not in the right condition.
Being honest helps your provider protect your skin and choose the safest approach.
What Happens During Dermaplaning?
During a professional dermaplaning treatment, your provider cleanses and prepares the skin. A sterile blade is then used at a precise angle to remove dead skin cells and fine facial hair gently.
The treatment should not feel painful. Many clients describe it as a light scraping or brushing sensation. The process is carefully controlled and performed across the appropriate areas of the face.
Afterward, soothing skincare products and sunscreen may be applied depending on your skin’s needs.
Step 7: Keep Skin Calm After Treatment
After dermaplaning, your skin may feel extra smooth and look brighter, but it may also be more sensitive. This is normal because the top layer of buildup has been removed.
For the first day or two, focus on calming and hydrating the skin. Use a gentle cleanser, simple moisturizer, and sunscreen. Avoid trying new active products right away.
This is not the best time to test a strong serum, exfoliant, or peel. Give your skin time to settle.
Step 8: Avoid Exfoliants After Dermaplaning
Do not exfoliate immediately after dermaplaning unless your provider has specifically included it in your treatment plan. Your skin has already been exfoliated, so adding scrubs, acids, or exfoliating brushes too soon can lead to irritation.
Over-exfoliation can cause redness, stinging, dryness, tightness, or breakouts. Let your skin recover before returning to active exfoliating products.
Your provider can tell you when it is safe to restart them based on your skin type.
Step 9: Pause Retinol After Treatment
Just as retinol is usually paused before dermaplaning, it is often paused afterward as well. Freshly exfoliated skin may respond more strongly to retinoids.
Restarting too soon may cause dryness, flaking, burning, or sensitivity. Once your provider gives the okay, reintroduce retinol gradually.
If your skin feels tender or dry, wait longer and focus on supporting the skin barrier.
Step 10: Wear Sunscreen Every Day
Sunscreen is one of the most important post-dermaplaning steps. After exfoliation, fresh skin may be more vulnerable to UV damage.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily and reapply when needed. Hats and shade can also help protect the skin, especially if you spend time outdoors.
Skipping sunscreen can increase the risk of irritation, pigmentation, and sun damage. If you want smooth, healthy-looking results, sun protection is non-negotiable.
Your Smooth Skin Plan Starts With Smart Care
Dermaplaning can help refresh the skin by removing dead skin cells and fine facial hair, creating a smoother, brighter-looking complexion. The best results are achieved with thoughtful preparation and gentle aftercare, including pausing use of harsh products, protecting the skin from sun exposure, and keeping it hydrated.At Soleil Medical Spa, dermaplaning care is designed to support smoother skin while respecting your skin’s health and sensitivity. To experience professional experts in Dermaplaning in Portland, OR, schedule your appointment today
