**Can You Have Dermaplaning If You Use Retinol?**
Dermaplaning has gained significant popularity in recent years, but it’s hardly a new beauty treatment. Icons like Marilyn Monroe were known to use this technique to enhance the longevity and appearance of their makeup. Yet, the appeal of dermaplaning isn’t just about makeup—it’s loved for its skin benefits too, especially among those who regularly incorporate it into their skincare routines.
If you’re wondering, “What exactly is dermaplaning?”—here’s a quick rundown of what the treatment entails and the benefits it offers.
### What Is Dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is a facial treatment where a specially designed surgical blade is used to gently exfoliate the skin by removing dead skin cells and fine facial hair (commonly known as “peach fuzz”). This technique not only leaves your skin feeling smoother and more radiant, but it also improves the absorption of skincare products, allowing them to penetrate deeper into the skin.
Unlike chemical peels or other treatments that require downtime, dermaplaning is a quick, non-invasive procedure with no recovery time, making it an ideal treatment before a big event or as part of a regular skincare routine.
Now that you have a better understanding of dermaplaning, let’s dive into the main question of today’s post: *Can you do dermaplaning if you use retinol?* Keep reading to find out the answer, and if you need a refresher on how retinol works, be sure to check out our dedicated blog post.
### Can I Dermaplane If I Use Retinol?
Yes, you can, but with some important precautions. Retinol is a powerful exfoliating ingredient, and when combined with dermaplaning, which also exfoliates, it can lead to irritation, dryness, and redness if used improperly.
The key is to leave enough time between dermaplaning and the reintroduction of retinol into your skincare routine. Ideally, you should wait about 5 days to a week after dermaplaning before applying retinol again. If you apply retinol immediately after dermaplaning, the skin could become over-exfoliated, leading to irritation and increased sensitivity. Retinol speeds up cell turnover, which, when combined with dermaplaning, can strip the skin’s natural oils (sebum), weakening the skin barrier and making it more vulnerable to environmental damage and irritation.
A simple approach is to avoid using retinol the day before you dermaplane. This will help maintain the skin’s balance of oil and hydration and reduce the risk of irritation. After dermaplaning, you can apply a soothing serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide to lock moisture into the skin and keep it hydrated.
### How Long After Dermaplaning Can I Use Retinol?
As mentioned, it’s essential to wait at least one week after dermaplaning before using retinol again. This will give your skin enough time to recover and restore its natural moisture balance. In the meantime, you should follow a few aftercare guidelines to ensure the best results and avoid any complications:
– **Avoid sweating:** Refrain from intense exercise for 24 hours after dermaplaning.
– **No saunas or steam rooms:** These can irritate the skin for the first 24 hours post-treatment.
– **Avoid exfoliants:** Don’t use physical scrubs or chemical exfoliating products (e.g., glycolic acid, salicylic acid) for at least 5–7 days after dermaplaning.
– **No makeup:** Avoid applying makeup for 24 hours to allow your skin to breathe and recover.
– **Skip facials:** Don’t schedule facials for at least two weeks after dermaplaning.
– **Gentle cleansing:** Use a mild, non-foaming cleanser, and avoid using muslin cloths or washcloths, which can be too abrasive.
– **Hydrate:** Focus on using hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture and calm the skin.
– **Sun protection:** Protect your skin with an SPF of 30 or higher for at least two weeks post-treatment to prevent sun damage.
By following these aftercare tips, you can help your skin heal properly after dermaplaning and avoid any unnecessary irritation or discomfort.
### When Should You Avoid Dermaplaning?
While dermaplaning is a safe treatment for most people, there are certain conditions and skin types where it’s not recommended:
– **Severe sunburn:** If your skin is sunburned or irritated, it’s best to avoid dermaplaning until the skin heals.
– **Sensitive skin:** If you have extremely sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea, dermaplaning may exacerbate irritation.
– **Active breakouts:** Avoid dermaplaning if you’re experiencing severe acne or active flare-ups, as the treatment may further irritate the skin.
– **Recent use of retinoids:** If you’ve used prescription retinoids (like tretinoin) or strong retinol products in the past 2–3 weeks, it’s best to wait until your skin has recovered before dermaplaning.
If you’re unsure whether dermaplaning is suitable for you, it’s always a good idea to consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional.
### Can I Use Serums After Dermaplaning?
Absolutely! In fact, after dermaplaning, your skin will be more receptive to the nourishing ingredients in serums. To maximize the benefits, look for serums that focus on hydration and calming the skin. Some of the best ingredients for post-dermaplaning recovery include:
– **Hyaluronic acid**: Excellent for locking in moisture and providing hydration.
– **Niacinamide**: Helps reduce redness and irritation while improving skin texture.
– **Vitamin E**: A powerful antioxidant that can soothe and protect the skin.
– **Glycerin**: Attracts moisture to the skin, keeping it plump and hydrated.
In addition to using a hydrating serum, make sure to use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser and always apply sunscreen to protect your skin from UV damage.
### Final Thoughts
Dermaplaning is an effective and low-downtime treatment that can give your skin a fresh, smooth appearance. However, when combined with potent ingredients like retinol, it’s important to give your skin adequate time to recover between treatments. Always follow the proper aftercare steps, and if you’re unsure about how to safely incorporate dermaplaning and retinol into your routine, don’t hesitate to consult with a dermatologist for personalized advice.
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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.
