Often prospective patients are interested in improving the appearance of their faces but without the use of any chemicals. Dermaplaning might be the appropriate treatment for these individuals. This procedure is typically performed by a physician, a cosmetologist, or another type of aesthetician.
What Exactly is Dermaplaning?
Some practitioners consider dermaplaning a type of dermabrasion. Both dermabrasion and dermaplaning are relatively quick procedures. However, demaplaning has some distinguishing characteristics, Albany Medical College reports.
During a dermabrasion session, the physician or the aesthetician scrapes away the top layer of skin with the help of a wire brush or a burr that contains diamond particles and that is affixed to a motorized handle. The scraping procedure lasts until the professional reaches a point where wrinkles or scars are less noticeable.
A skin care professional uses a dermatome, a hand-held device, during a dermaplaning session. Its oscillating blade skims off the skin’s surface layers.
During an initial consultation, the practitioner will recommend the best procedure to achieve a patient’s desired results. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, three factors are important in determining the potential effectiveness of dermaplaning treatments:
- Health history
- Skin coloring
- Type of skin
Dermaplaning allows anti-aging and other skin care products to more effectively penetrate a patient’s deeper skin layers. While professionals can perform this treatment on small areas or on the entire face, with or without additional procedures, it is important to understand that it cannot prevent aging or remove all flaws.
The Practice of Dr. Charles Dietzek
Patients schedule dermaplaning as an outpatient procedure with Dr. Dietzek’s practice. The procedure might require one or more sessions, each of which typically lasts an hour or less.
After the targeted area is numb, the staff member performing the procedure will begin to use the dermatome. This device resembles an electric razor. Its oscillating blade moves across the skin, back and forth, to evenly skim off layers that surround facial defects. It is particularly effective in treating deep scars from acne.
Most individuals experience skin that looks red and is swollen after dermaplaning. It might have a scraped appearance for a few days. Medications relieve any aching, tingling, or burning after the procedure. Swelling usually disappears within a week. Some patients report difficulty talking and eating for a few days after treatment.
As the area treated starts to heal, patients will notice the formation of a crust or a scab. When it falls off, a new layer of skin is visible. As this skin begins to grow, individuals might experience facial itching that a prescribed ointment can relieve.
The new skin that forms might be sensitive and initially appear bright pink. The color usually fades over a period of three months. Following dermaplaning, patients must take care to protect their skin from exposure to the sun.