Prepping Your Skin for Perfect Makeup with Dermaplaning

Everyone who wears makeup approaches their cosmetic routine differently, but if there’s one thing they all have in common, it’s that they want their makeup to look great, feel natural, and stay on as long as possible. Several factors contribute to achieving these goals, such as using quality products and applicators, developing proper application techniques, and maintaining healthy skin.

Additionally, certain cosmetic dermatology procedures can help one achieve a better-looking, longer-lasting makeup job. Dermaplaning, in particular, can prepare your skin for perfect makeup application. Let’s go over what dermaplaning entails, how it helps optimize your makeup routine, and what other benefits this procedure can have for your skin.

Dermaplaning: What is it?

You can glean a basic definition of dermaplaning by breaking down its name: “derm” refers to skin, and “plane” refers to creating a level surface by removing excess material (i.e. “shaping”). So, dermaplaning describes the process by which one’s skin is smoothed out via physical means. During a dermaplaning procedure, a very precise scalpel is used to evenly remove one’s excess skin (dead skin cells), typically on the face and neck. This action triggers the body to generate new skin cells and produce more collagen and elastin, proteins that give the skin its flexibility, structure, and smooth texture. Dermaplaning is most effective and safe when done on clean, dry skin and performed by a cosmetic dermatology professional.

Dermaplaning is often conflated with another, somewhat similar cosmetic procedure, microdermabrasion. However, microdermabrasion vacuums debris from clogged pores while dermaplaning is more concerned with refinishing the top layer of skin by removing surface debris and small hairs (peach fuzz).

What Does Dermaplaning Have to Do With Makeup?

Now that you have a basic understanding of dermaplaning, you might already see how this procedure could make the application of makeup easier and better than before. A useful analogy here is to imagine painting a wall. If you don’t bother to clean the wall from debris and sand it ahead of time, the paint will have a harder time adhering to the surface, and a number of imperfections are bound to poke through underneath the coating. Conversely, you’ll achieve an even, smooth, durable paint job by taking the time to properly prep the wall beforehand. The same principle applies when covering up your skin with makeup.

Dermaplaning essentially does to your skin what cleaning and sanding do to a wall prior to painting — it gets rid of any tiny fibers and clumps of dead cells that stand between your fresh skin and makeup so when you finally apply your products, they properly absorb, adhere, and go on smoothly.

Additional Benefits of Dermaplaning

Best of all, dermaplaning yields benefits for your skin beyond makeup application. Because this procedure promotes cell turnover and collagen production, it can reduce the appearance of scars (such as acne scars), decrease minor wrinkles and lines, lighten dark spots, and improve skin texture as a whole. Plus, removing the excess skin cells and hairs from your face helps skincare products such as moisturizers and serums more effectively penetrate your pores and do their thing.

Is Dermaplaning Right for You?

Dermaplaning has few risks or downsides, especially when conducted by professionals. Still, if you have questions, concerns, or reservations about dermaplaning, consult your dermatologist. They can walk you through this and similar cosmetic dermatology services to help you determine which options are right for your skin and your needs. And as always, Premier Dermatology Partners can give you further information and resources and dermaplaning and different providers. To learn more about our team and all the services we provide, contact us.