How to Dermablade at Home? [with tips and tricks]

Dermablading has gained immense popularity in the last few years, and for good reason. This skin treatment is a quick fix for many common skin woes – scarring, uneven skin tone, breakouts, fine lines, etc. While many people get this done by a professional, quite a few choose to do this at home. The easy availability of dermaplaning blades online and in stores has made it quite convenient to do so.

But while convenient, this also raises several questions: How to derma blade at home? Is it safe? What do I need? How do I do it? How often should I do it? How should I prep my skin for it? And more.

Fear not! We answer all of these questions and more. Keep scrolling!

Is it okay to dermablade at home?

Yes! It is entirely safe to dermablade at home, as long as you use the right tools and techniques.

Research has shown that consumers rank daily skincare habits as more beneficial for their skin in the long term, rather than visits to the dermatologist and the occasional treatment. [1] In an era where practicing daily skincare is a must, dermaplaning from home is one such practice that can easily make its way into one’s monthly or weekly skincare routine.

Unless you are someone with active acne or any other similar skin conditions (in which case you should not be dermablading at all, let alone by yourself at home), home-dermablading can be incredibly beneficial. With the correct type of blade and the right steps, you’re on your way to being a home-dermablading expert.

What’s the difference between professional and home-dermablading?

Professional dermablading uses a surgical-grade #10 blade scalpel, which is very sharp. For home-dermablading, there are several user-friendly blades out there that are readily available online and in stores. These blades are safe yet sharp enough to do the job without burning a hole in your pocket.

Additionally, professional dermablading tends to involve more steps, as there will be more skin prepping. For instance, some professionals steam or massage the face before dermablading.

Since home dermablading is usually done to be time and cost-efficient, most people will skip any extra prepping and get right to the dermablading.

How do you dermablade at home?

Step 1:

Use a gentle cleanser to ensure your skin is cleansed of makeup, excess oil, or impurities. Pat your skin dry and apply a gel or lotion for a smoother surface (optional)

Step 2:

Take the blade to your skin and start shaving in small, downward strokes. The blade goes in the direction of hair growth. Go all over, but target areas such as the upper lips, forehead, cheeks, sideburns, temples, and chin.

Step 3:

Once you have dermaplaned the entire face, rinse off any remaining hairs or dirt with cold water and pat dry. You can use a gentle cleanser again.

Step 4:

Apply any skin care products such as moisturizer or sunscreen. You can also apply something to help soothe the skin in case of any irritation.

Note

Pull and hold the skin taut in areas as you go since this provides a closer shave and prevents cuts.
Rinse or wipe the blade periodically to get rid of the bacteria, hair, and dirt that collects on it as you dermablade

Should I dermablade my face wet or dry?

It is best to dermablade your face when it is dry. In fact, the dryer, the better!

The effects of dermablading are best achieved on completely dry and clean skin or, in the next best case, damp skin.

Some tutorials recommend applying oil, lotion, or aloe vera before dermablading for better glide. While this might make the blade go more smoothly over the skin, it will not exfoliate as thoroughly as dermablading on dry skin will.

However, if the skin is extremely sensitive, apply a very thin layer of oil – do this only if absolutely necessary!

How often should I dermablade at home?

Generally, dermablading should be done once every 3-4 weeks or once every 4-6 weeks. This could mean once a month for most people. Some might choose to do this more frequently, like once a week. While this is okay once in a while, dermablading too often can cause irritation and dry out your skin.

Dermablading: tips and tricks

Always hold the blade at a 45-degree angle, and never go against the grain (against the direction of hair growth), as this will cause more irritation, and always dermablade in short, downward strokes, and occasionally rinse or wipe the blade to clean accumulated dirt. Use a forefinger and thumb to hold the skin taut while dermablading because this will give the closest shave.
When dermablading your chin, start from the bottom of your mouth and go in short, downward strokes, and when doing the upper lip, start from the bottom of your nose and go in short downward strokes.

Make sure to avoid your eyebrows and hairline while dermablading your forehead; do not shave sensitive areas such as the eyelids, under eyes, or sides of the nose or any other inflamed areas or regions that have active breakouts.
For best results, use a magnified mirror and good lighting while doing this, and remember to discard the blade after each use to maintain sterility and avoid infections.
Skincare products are better absorbed after dermaplaning, so apply any skincare products after, but avoid cosmetics.

Dermablading at home: pre and post care

What should I apply on my face before dermablading?

You don’t need to apply anything on your face before dermablading! The most important step to take before dermablading is cleansing the face and ensuring that there is no makeup or excess oil. Your face needs to be a clean canvas. As mentioned before, some tutorials might recommend other steps, such as applying oil or aloe vera before dermablading, but this could actually diminish the effects of the procedure. For best results, dermablade on clean and bare skin.

Sometimes, professional dermablading could include steps such as steaming or facial massages before the actual shaving. While this is optional, adding this into your process can give your skin a more enhanced glow and allow you to reap the maximum benefits of the process.

What should I put on my face after dermablading at home?

Right after dermablading, treat any small cuts or nicks with vaseline. Remember that dermablading is an exfoliating treatment, so it is necessary to hydrate your skin once you do it. Use a good moisturizer that can help with water retention.

Right after dermablading is also the best time to apply some of your topical skin care products. Products like toner, serums, and vitamin C do wonders for your skin with antiaging and anti-pigmentation properties [2]; however, their effect is amplified when applied, especially after dermablading, since the skin is more permeable and will better absorb nutrients at this time.

Sunscreen is a must! Applying sunscreen before sun exposure should be a daily habit, but if it isn’t, now is the time to start! The skin is more sensitive after dermablading, and it is recommended to avoid sun exposure for at least 48-72 hours after the procedure. If you must go out in the sun, make sure to wear SPF and re-apply as required.

Also, make sure to avoid anything else that might be harsh on the skin, such as chemical peels or chemical exfoliants such as AHAs or BHAs. Refrain from using any heavy cosmetics. For at least 72 hours, take very good care of your newly sensitive skin.

What oils to use for dermablading at home?

Dermablading can be done on perfectly dry skin. However, if you feel like you must use a lubricant, then squalane oil, argan oil, tea tree oil, jojoba oil, and almond oil are some excellent options since they are mostly non-comedogenic. This means that these oils are very unlikely to clog your pores, making them efficient moisturizing lubricants.

What should I avoid?

Avoid using comedogenic substances, like coconut oil or olive oil. These oils are more likely to clog your pores and cause breakouts on acne-prone skin.

Dermablading at home: pros and cons

Pros	Cons

Cost-effective Saves time and money Needs no extra hands for assistance Removes peach fuzz or vellus hair painlessly	Greater chance of nicks and scratches Greater chance of infection if done improperly Can clog pores if the method is wrong or wrong products are used

FAQs

Is it safe to dermablade at home?

Yes. Dermaplaning at home is perfectly safe and an easy way to see if it works for you without spending dollars at a salon or esthetician’s office. As long as you follow the right procedure and take steps to avoid infection, dermaplaning is very safe to be done on yourself at home.

Can I dermablade with any blade?

No. Dermablading cannot be done with just any blade. There are specific tools in the market that are meant for dermaplaning. While these tools will not be as sharp as the ones used by a professional, they are meant for consumer use and can do the job safely. Using anything else as a substitute for these dermaplaning-specific blades can lead to severe facial injuries, which can leave lasting marks. Never use body shaving razors, medical scalpels, or other blades.

Does dermablading make my hair grow back faster or thicker?

No. Dermablading does not affect the rate or quality of hair growth. Shaving away hair can give the illusion of it growing back thicker, but this is only because the tip that grows back is blunter. In reality, the hair thickness has not changed. Hair growth will happen at a regular rate but can feel faster because you are usually hyper-aware that dermaplaning effects must be maintained once you do it.

What oils should I apply on my face before dermaplaning?

Generally, applying something on the face before dermaplaning is not required or recommended. However, some individuals who have extremely dry skin might want to apply something for better gliding. A light and non-comedogenic oil is the best option if this is the case. Oils like almond oil, squalane oil, tea tree oil, jojoba oil, etc., are all great to apply since they will not clog your pore. Avoid highly comedogenic substances such as coconut oil.

What is the most important post-dermaplaning tip?

Wear sunscreen and avoid other exfoliants after treatment. Skin is sensitive after dermaplaning, and sun exposure could be bad for it. Wearing SPF is crucial as it protects your skin from getting sunburnt or tanned. Since dermaplaning is already exfoliating, using other exfoliants after dermaplaning can rub your skin raw. Another important step is to avoid any heavy cosmetics or comedogenic substances for a while.

What tools do I need to dermaplane at home?

Not many. The main tool you need for dermaplaning at home is the dermaplaning razor, which can be easily found in a pharmacy or beauty store. But if not in stores, then online is a great option. Most online shopping sites have dermaplaning razors at an affordable price. The other things that you need are:

Just sterile hands.

A magnified mirror.
Good lighting.
A good moisturizer and sunscreen for post-care (and other skincare products such as toners if you use them).

Wrapping Up

Dermaplaning from home can seem quite scary at first, but it is actually one of the safest skin care treatments out there that you can do by yourself. Learning to do this correctly at home can save you time and money and has other benefits that far outweigh the costs. Of course, in-office dermaplaning is still always an option if you wish to pamper yourself and go all out. But if you’re trying to look your best on a budget, you know what to do. Pick up that dermaplaning blade and get to work!