Can You Have Dermaplaning If You Use Retinol?
Dermaplaning has grown in popularity in recent years, but it isn’t necessarily a new beauty trend. Iconic holiday stars such as Marilyn Monroe used this technique for years as way of improving the longevity and overall look of her makeup. But it isn’t just the makeup benefits dermaplaning is adored for by those who have the treatment on a regular basis.
Now, if you’re sat here thinking, “What on earth is dermaplaning?” here is a little insight to what this popular treatment involves and the benefits you’ll see, let me explain it in a little more detail.
What is dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is a treatment preformed with a specially designed blade to help remove the “peach fuzz” from the face. This not only removes any hair, but also provides a form of exfoliation that doesn’t involve any chemicals or acids. With the tiny hairs and layer of dead skin cells sloughed off the surface of the skin, you are left with glowing, healthy, and smoother looking complexion. You’ll also find that dermaplaning helps other skincare products to absorb quickly and more effectively into the skin.
With dermaplaning there is no down time required, unlike other facial treatments such as chemical peels. This makes dermaplaning the ideal at home treatment to perform before an event or on a semi-regular basis.
So, now you have a better understanding of the benefits of dermaplaning, let’s now investigate the question in today’s blog post, “Can you have dermaplaning is you use retinol?” stick around to get the answers and if you need a little reminder of how retinol works on the skin, check out our dedicated blog post.
Can I dermaplane if I use retinol?
Yes, you can, as long as you leave enough time in between dermaplaning and applying retinol to the skin. Ideally you want to leave 5 day to a week before and after dermaplaning before you reintroduce retinol back into your daily skincare routine. If you layer retinol on the skin after dermaplaning it will lead to the skin becoming irritated, dry with flaky patches of skin and redness. This is simply too much exfoliation for the skin with retinol increasing the speed of which skin cells rejuvenate it can strip away the sebum needed in the protective barrier. With the lack of sebum, the skin barrier will cause it to become weaker and more suspectable to skin damage due to exposure to free radicals and other environmental aggressors.
The easiest way to use both in your routine is to skip retinol the day before you plan to dermaplane this will ensure the skin maintains the correct levels of oil and water, whilst avoiding any unwanted irritation. You can then follow apply a serum enriched in hyaluronic acid or niacinamide to help lock moisture into the skin and keep it hydrated, plumped, and nourished.
How long after dermaplaning can you use retinol?
As I have mentioned already, it is important to leave enough time in between dermaplaning and retinol to avoid the skin becoming increasingly irritated with a lot of discomfort. For an ingredient as potent as retinol it is best to leave at least one week after dermaplaning, there are also several other aftercare steps to follow the treatment such as,
Avoid any form of exercise that results in sweating.
Do not go into saunas or steam rooms for 24 hours after.
Avoid exfoliating products, such as physical scrubs or chemical exfoliating toners that contain ingredients such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid.
Avoid applying any form of makeup 24 hours after dermaplaning.
Do not have any form of facials for at least 2 weeks after the treatment.
Use gentle cleansing products and avoid using any form of muslin or flannel.
Ensure you apply hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid to keep the skin hydrated and calm.
Avoid sun exposure for over 2 weeks after dermaplaning to prevent any sun damage.
There you have some examples of the aftercare you should follow after having a dermaplaning treatment. Don’t hesitate if you any concerns to seek the help from a doctor or dermatologist to ensure you won’t cause any unwanted irritation.
When should you not use dermaplaning?
There are some specific situations and skin types that should not use dermaplaning, such as.
People who are currently suffering from severe sunburn or have been on a sunbed shortly before having a dermaplaning treatment.
Those who have a sensitive skin type and are prone to sensitive skin conditions.
People who are currently experiencing a flare-up in severe breakouts or acne.
Those who have used prescription tretinoin or retinoid products in the last 3 weeks prior to the treatment.
Although dermaplaning is something that can be performed at home, however if you wanted my advice, I would opt for a professional treatment if you haven’t had it done before. This will avoid the skin from becoming too irritated and will help you get a better understanding of how to use the specialist blade at home once you have more confidence.
Can I use serums after dermaplaning?
Absolutely, just ensure they are packed with the best type of active ingredients to really nourish the skin. The best ingredients to use in serums after dermaplaning are.
Hyaluronic acid
Niacinamide
Vitamin E
Glycerin
Any of these will keep the skin moisturised and hydrated whilst combating any redness, irritation or slight itchiness that can occur sometimes after dermaplaning. It’s also important to remember to swap your everyday cleanser for one that has a gentle, non-foaming formula. Work your cleanser into your skin with your fingers and ensure you use tepid water to not flare-up any irritation. The final, and most important step is to always apply a daily SPF of 30 and above to keep the skin protected from sun exposure and potential skin damage.
There you have a little more information about dermaplaning and using retinol after the treatment. As I have mentioned already, if there are any concerns it’s best to consult with a dermatologist for peace of mind you are using this treatment correctly. Don’t forget to come and follow us on Instagram for more!
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.
