Can I do dermaplaning if I use retinol?
Dermaplaning has become increasingly popular in recent years, but it’s not necessarily a new beauty trend. Famous holiday stars like Marilyn Monroe have used this technique for years to improve the durability of their makeup and their overall appearance. However, people who undergo this treatment regularly appreciate more than just the cosmetic benefits of dermaplaning.
If you’re sitting here wondering, “What exactly is dermaplaning?”, here are some insights into this popular treatment and the benefits it offers. Let me explain in more detail.
What is dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is a treatment that uses specially designed blades to remove the “peach fuzz” on your face. Not only does this remove all the hair, but it also performs a type of exfoliation that doesn’t use any chemicals or acids. As the tiny hairs and layers of dead skin cells fall off the surface of your skin, what’s left behind is a radiant, healthy, and smooth complexion. You’ll also find that dermaplaning helps other skincare products absorb into your skin faster and more effectively.
Unlike other facial treatments like chemical peels, dermaplaning doesn’t require any downtime. This makes dermaplaning an ideal at-home treatment you can do before an event or on a semi-regular basis.
Now that you have a better understanding of the benefits of dermaplaning, let’s explore the question from today’s blog post: “Can I dermaplane if I use retinol? Stay tuned for the answer and if you have a little reminder, stay tuned.” Read our dedicated blog post on how retinol works on the skin.
Can I dermaplane if I use retinol?
Yes, you can, as long as you allow enough time between dermaplaning and applying retinol to your skin. Ideally, you should wait 5 days to a week before and after dermaplaning before reintroducing retinol into your daily skin care routine. If you apply retinol to your skin after dermaplaning, your skin can become irritated, dry, develop flaky patches, and redness. This is too much exfoliation for the skin. Since retinol increases the rate at which skin cells regenerate, it removes the sebum needed to protect the skin barrier. With a lack of sebum, the skin barrier becomes weaker and more susceptible to skin damage from free radicals and other environmental aggressors.
The easiest way to incorporate both into your daily routine is to avoid using retinol the day before your scheduled dermaplaning. This ensures that your skin maintains the correct oil and water levels while avoiding unnecessary irritation. You can then apply a serum rich in hyaluronic acid or niacinamide to lock in moisture to keep your skin hydrated, plump, and nourished.
How soon after dermaplaning can you use retinol?
As I mentioned before, it’s important to allow enough time between dermaplaning and retinol to avoid your skin becoming increasingly irritated and causing a lot of discomfort. For a powerful ingredient like retinol, it’s best to wait at least a week after dermaplaning. There are also some other aftercare steps you should take after your treatment, such as:
Avoid any form of physical activity that causes sweating.
Do not visit a sauna or steam room for 24 hours after your procedure.
Avoid exfoliating products like physical exfoliants or chemical exfoliating toners that contain ingredients like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid.
Avoid using any type of makeup for 24 hours after dermaplaning.
Do not perform facial treatments for at least 2 weeks after treatment.
Use gentle cleansing products and avoid using muslin or flannel.
Use moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid to moisturize and soothe the skin.
Avoid sun exposure for more than 2 weeks after dermaplaning to prevent sun damage.
Below are some examples of aftercare that should be performed after a dermaplaning treatment. If you have any concerns, consult your doctor or dermatologist immediately to ensure that you do not cause any unnecessary irritation.
When should dermaplaning not be used?
Dermaplaning should not be used in certain situations and skin types, such as: For example. :
People who are currently experiencing severe sunburn or have recently used a tanning bed before a dermaplaning treatment.
People with sensitive skin and a tendency to sensitive skin conditions.
People who are currently experiencing severe breakouts or acne.
People who have used prescription retinoids or retinoid products in the last 3 weeks before treatment.
While dermaplaning can be performed at home, if you want my advice, I would recommend a professional treatment if you haven’t already done so. This will prevent the skin from becoming too irritated and will give you a better idea of how to use the specialized blades at home once you are more confident.
Can serums be used after dermaplaning?
Of course, just make sure they contain the best active ingredients to truly nourish the skin. The best ingredients for serums after dermaplaning are:
Hyaluronic acid
Niacinamide
Vitamin E
Glycerin
All of these ingredients will moisturize the skin while combating the redness, irritation, or mild itching that can sometimes occur after dermaplaning. Also consider replacing your daily cleanser with a gentle, non-foaming cleanser. Use your fingers to work the cleanser into your skin and use warm water to avoid causing irritation. The last and most important step is to apply a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every day to protect your skin from the sun and possible skin damage.
Here is more information about dermaplaning and using retinol after the treatment. As I mentioned before, if you have any concerns, it is best to consult a dermatologist to ensure that you are using this treatment correctly. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more information!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
