Dermaplaning: Should You Shave Your Face? A Dermatologist Explains | Dr. Sam Ellis

Dermaplaning is a super popular treatment that's done in office with a medical professional (like a medical esthetician or a dermatologist). It helps remove unwanted facial hair and exfoliates the skin. But should you shave your face at home? As a dermatologist, I'm a fan of dermaplaning, but there are a few things you should know before you try it at home.

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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
00:44 What is Dermaplaning?
01:35 Benefits
01:50 Professional Dermaplaning
02:12 Do I Recommend It?
03:29 Dermaplaning Claims
04:00 Face Shaving at Home
05:49 Face Shaving Tips
08:15 Product Recommendations
09:05 Post-Treatment Tips
09:48 Hair Grow Back Thicker?
10:30 Like & Subscribe!

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DISCLAIMER: The information in this video is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician. Some of the links in this description may be affiliate links (marked with *). Affiliate links help support my YouTube channel so I can continue to create fun, informational skincare videos for you. Thanks for watching!

[kvcooks]

I've been shaving my face for years, with a regular razor in the shower, I might add. I am turning 62 next week and I swear this practice has helped keep wrinkles at bay by exfoliating. Never cut myself, hair doesn't grow back coarser, and makeup goes on so smoothly!

[AllyKit]

Can I just say I appreciate how you look directly into the camera lens. You are very photogenic with a lovely smile.

[lawwife]

I was noticing a lot more issues with my foundation looking weird, and the little peach fuzzies were slightly darker toward the corners of my lips, so I recently picked up the metal facial razor from Sephora and used it last week. It was nice! I could definitely tell a difference with smoothness of my makeup and skincare.

The razor is nice because it has replaceable blades.

[kanizfatima]

i am a hairy brown girl (bengali) and i use a dermaplane razor for 20 dollars and its amazing ! my hair grows back normal

[sherrisponenberg]

Was afraid to shave my face at first but now I'm SO glad that I did.. Make up looks better n I don't have to use as much of my serums n moisturizers...

[maisondavd]

As a guy who shave everyday, your hair doesnt get thicker or grow faster, trust me i wish 😄
1. Shave at the end of your shower with a shaving foam (its basically just a thicker soap, so also cleanses your face) for the smoothest and easiest glide.
If you use an oil cleanser at night, that works like a shaving foam too.
2. I wouldnt use any acids besides maybe hyauluronic and such after, as shaving is already exfoliating and removing the top layer of skin, and its extra sensitive after.
3. Shaving often doesnt harm, it actually keeps the skin looking very healthy and clean.

[daemonyxx]

Thank you so much for making this video! It was so nice to get a well rounded view of the different types of hair removal, not just promoting the dermatology way, but also the less expensive options. I purchased a peach fuzz remover from Revlon and wanted to learn more about face shaving before trying it, and this was a huge help! :)

[lovepeace]

I’ve just started shaving my face at age 60. The best facial treatment ever I can’t believe it. Hair does not grow back thicker or quicker but it does get rid of dead skin and gives me a glow. Best beauty ever.

[michellekelly]

I haven't taken the plunge and shaved my entire face, but I do shave the area between my brows down to the bridge of my nose, and I'm amazed at how much dead skin I'm able to shave off just in that one small area. It's really very satisfying to see! Everyone is so afraid of hair growing back darker, myself included, but the fine, blond baby hairs between my brows are still the same as they were years ago when I first started shaving, so there's nothing to worry about!

[shade]

I feel like it can work great for some people, but for others, the risks and upkeep outweigh the benefits.

[deftlefthand]

Years ago, I was enamored of microdermabrasion. During one session, my esthetician very tactfully mentioned face fuzz and that she'd noticed it on herself. Naturally, I noticed the fuzz on my own face after that. I'm 60 years old and after shaving my face for nearly 25 years, I have no wrinkles. I've only recently begun using vitamin C serum, which is lovely and brightening but haven't tried any acids. I honestly had no idea that my skin should probably look a bit creased until very recently!! I highly recommend this!!

[MyLoVeLyMaN]

Never felt the need of shaving my face. My peach fuzz doesn't seem obvious and don't feel it/see it :) Also I've acne prone skin... Thank you for the info!

[lyyou]

Thank you - I'll be buying the Versed tool and replacement blades. I bought a different big-manufacturer "dermaplaning" tool but you can't buy replacement blades-I thought I had no other choice. I have to do this about every 3 weeks or more frequently, even though I have blonde hair. And with aging it ain't getting any less frequent!! Whoever takes care of me in old age better do it for me!! For those of you with the stray black chin hair - go and get a certified electrolysis technician to zap them permanently. It's WELL worth it and not very expensive at all.

[monethamilton]

Just did this at home using real techniques face and eyebrow razor. It was fairly easy and I love the way my face feels!

[AlwaysAmTired]

Okay but what's the real difference between thicker hair and hair that just appears thicker? It's not like hair that just looks thick is more desirable. I don't want to risk having thick looking hair all over my face! I don't understand why dermatologists always make this distinction when in reality neither one of those options are desirable. That right there convinced me not to try this tbh because I don't want to be forced to keep doing it forever or have hair that's more noticeable all over my face.

[kaylasprettynails]

Omg this feels life changing for me. I know that sounds a little over dramatic but I have PCOS and I have a lot of facial hair that I have always been so self conscious about. I pluck and wax but I have always been scared to shave because I didn't want it to grow back darker and thicker. So to hear you say it won't literally is going to change my life. I just now went to Amazon and ordered me some of the eye brow razors and they will be here in 2 days! 😬 I can't wait to try this!

[ginaiannucci]

I dermaplaned for the first time today. I’m 50. I had normal blonde fuzz but started to really feel like I got fuzzier recently. No one noticed but me and I gave it a whirl. I used the Gillette Venus dermaplaning razor I picked up from Walgreens. It was so comfortable. I barely felt the blade on my skin. I tried to not go over the same area twice but at the end missed one or two areas and went upward to get those shorter rough patches. The downward didn’t work in that area. But I did short feathery 45 degree angle strokes otherwise. My prep was washing with cetaphil foaming cleanser which is my new fave facial wash. I then wiped with rubbing alcohol pad. Skin was clean and dry. Afterward I wiped with micellar water and also witch hazel. I applied the Gillette serum I bought which was calming and lovely. It has hylauronic acid, niaciniamide, aloe, witch hazel and cucumber water. Very gentle. I’ll put more on tonight. Tomorrow I’ll use my regular lotions. Just giving skin a break overnight to calm. So far no rash. Hoping for no issues this week. I’m actually glad I did it myself. I feel like if I went to a salon it would have been a deeper exfoliation causing more sensitivity. My skin seems to be tolerating the dry planing tonight. It’s been several hours and I’m not red at all. I will hopefully only need to do this monthly. I hope.

[nancystark]

Hi Dr Sam, thank you so much for such an informative video! You've comprehensively answered all the questions I've needed addressed, before I begin my face shaving journey on my 63 year old skin!
Many thanks, all the way from Scotland x

[TalkWithJoce]

Hi Dr. Ellis, if you get a sec to answer: 1. 1. Would Paula's Choice BHA liquid be a good option right before or after face shaving or neither? For someone with clogged nose pores.

2. Why is face shaving done on dry skin when all other types of shaving requires shaving cream or oil???

3. How often do you recommend face shaving? Every two weeks?

[ashleywhispers]

Ive been putting this off for years in fear of it growing back thicker but youve put my mind at ease. Im so excited to try this tomorrow and have less cakey looking makeup.