Key Takeaways
- Sun protection and steering clear of irritating products post-dermaplane are crucial for reducing inflammation and long-term damage, as your skin will be more sensitive than normal.
- Avoid harsh heat, including saunas and steam rooms, or hot showers, and refrain from grueling workouts that lead to excessive sweating to encourage proper skin healing.
- For the love of all things beautiful and clear, do NOT pick at your skin or touch your face after dermaplaning (like I know you want to).
- Makeup should be applied with a delay of at least 24 hours after treatment and should be lightweight, non-comedogenic in order to allow your skin time to breathe and recover.
- Prioritize hydration with gentle, nourishing moisturizers and soothing serums, and don’t forget broad-spectrum sunscreen to shield your vulnerable skin from ultraviolet damage.
- Pay attention to your skin for any indication of sensitivity, like redness or acne, and seek advice from a skincare expert if problems continue for a secure and efficacious healing process.
Glowing skin after dermaplaning feels amazing—but only if you treat it right. After removing that protective layer of peach fuzz and dead skin, your face is smooth but also more vulnerable. That’s why post-treatment care is crucial. Skip harsh products, steer clear of the sun, and give your skin time to breathe. Stick to gentle cleansers, lightweight moisturizers, and absolutely no scrubs or acids for a few days.
Hold off on makeup for at least 24 hours, and never forget sunscreen—your freshly exfoliated skin can burn fast. These simple steps help prevent irritation, minimize breakouts, and lock in that post-dermaplane glow. Up next: expert tips to avoid the most common aftercare mistakes.
The 7 Deadly Sins Post-Dermaplaning
- Harsh skincare products
- Sun exposure
- Intense heat (saunas, steam rooms)
- Picking or touching the skin
- Immediate makeup use
- Heavy exfoliation
- Ignoring your skin’s needs
1. Harsh Products
Avoid potent cleansers or scrubs, which tear down the skin’s barrier, leaving it more susceptible to dryness and redness. Alcohol-based toners, or heavily scented products, can ignite irritation and even allergic reactions, so swap them out for gentle, fragrance-free formulas.
Steer clear of retinoids and acids (glycolic, salicylic) for a week. These can cause stinging, flaking, or even chemical burns if applied too early. Your skin is sensitive post-dermaplaning, so keep it simple by hydrating and helping repair your skin barrier.
2. Sun Exposure
Immediately post-dermaplaning, your skin is wafer-thin and prone to burning. Use sunscreen of at least SPF 30, even on cloudy days. Direct sun can make dark spots or redness, particularly in the first week.
Put on a wide-brimmed hat and find shade when outside. If you forego sun protection, you’re inviting long-term damage and discoloration. For sensitive skin, mineral sunscreens tend to work best.
3. Intense Heat
Hot showers, baths, saunas, or steam rooms can exacerbate redness and itchiness, so avoid these, especially in the first 24–48 hours. Your skin barrier needs to be; heat delays this.
Miss your workouts or other heavy sweating activities for a minimum of one day. Chlorinated pools are rough on the skin; no swimming post treatment. Cool compresses or soothing gels help keep skin calm.
4. Picking Skin
Touching or picking your face transfers bacteria and delays healing. Northsquashing, or pimple tools, or rubbing your skin can cause scars or infection.
Keep your hands off your face and wash them. Steer clear of tools or any scraping on the skin.
Let the skin heal on its own.
5. Immediate Makeup
No makeup for 24 hours. This allows the skin to breathe and reduces the chance of clogged pores. If makeup is a must, opt for light, non-comedogenic formulas.
Thick foundation or grimy brushes make irritation & breakouts even more probable.
6. Heavy Exfoliation
Don’t scrub or use harsh acids for a minimum of a week after dermaplaning. Even gentle scrubs can lead to micro-tears and extend the healing process.
Back to mild cleansers and moisturizers until the skin returns to normal.
7. Ignoring Your Skin
Keep an eye out for redness, swelling, or breakouts. Moisturize with straightforward, sustaining creams. If problems persist for more than a couple of days, see a skin professional.
What Your Skincare Shelf Needs
Post-dermaplaning, your skin is vulnerable and irritated. The right products make it heal and stay smooth. Assemble your routine with powerhouses that protect the skin’s barrier and defend it from day-to-day stressors.
- Hydrating moisturizers —seek out ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, squalane, or ceramides. These seal in hydration, assist with skin barrier repair, and have a lightweight texture.
- Soothing serums with aloe, centella asiatica, or panthenol calm redness. These play nicely post-dermaplaning, when skin is extra reactive.
- Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen is a no-brainer, indoors or out. UV rays can still make it to you through windows and exacerbate sensitivity.
- A mild hydrating facial mist spritzed throughout the day can invigorate the skin, particularly in arid or air-conditioned environments.
- These easy, fragrance-free cleansers help maintain skin clean without peeling and without irritation.
- A hydrating gel mask (five days post-dermaplane) can calm, cool, and add hydration.
- Keep the routine minimal for at least two weeks: skip activities and stick to basics.
The Avoid List
- No harsh physical scrubs for 2–3 days post-dermaplaning, as they can scrape and inflame new skin.
- Do not use thick oils, like coconut or mineral oil, which can clog pores and cause breakouts on newly uncovered skin.
- Avoid overtly artificial fragrances, which can sting the delicate, post-treatment skin.
- Clay, charcoal, or peel-off masks? Save those for two weeks out—these draw too much from the skin and can cause dryness.
- Avoid retinol and glycolic for at least a week to avoid over-exfoliation and irritation.
The Welcome List
- Soothing face oils like jojoba or rosehip calm and soften without being too hefty or pore-clogging.
- Lightweight moisturizers with gel or water-based formulas hydrate without feeling greasy or heavy.
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+) is a must, applied every morning and re-applied as needed to protect sensitive skin from UV rays.
Gentle Exfoliation And Repair
Gentle liquid exfoliants—like lactic or glycolic acid—may be used again after 2 weeks. Stick to 2-3 times a week. It keeps things smooth, but only once your skin has healed.
A straightforward regimen of hydration and SPF allows the skin to recover and minimizes the potential for inflammation. Hydrating mists and gel masks are your best bets 5 days after treatment.
Why Your Environment Matters
After dermaplaning, your skin is more exposed to external stress. Your physical environment has a huge impact on how well your skin recovers. By controlling the space and things you touch, CONTROL, you can prevent slip-ups that impede skin healing. Below is a summary of core factors to watch:
Environmental Factor |
Impact on Skin Health |
How to Manage |
Temperature |
Sweating can cause breakouts |
Keep it cool and stable |
Air Quality |
Pollutants trigger irritation |
Ventilate, use air purifiers |
Product Storage |
Expired items harm skin |
Check dates, tidy up space |
Sun Exposure |
UV rays slow healing |
Protect with SPF, cover up |
Cleanliness |
Germs cause breakouts |
Wipe surfaces, wash hands |
Sun Damage
UV rays are a primary hazard for post-dermaplaning skin. Even on cloudy days, skin is vulnerable to damage that can persist long term. I wear SPF 30+ sunscreen every time I’m outside, and I reapply it every two hours. Limit time outside from 10:00 to 16:00, as the sun is strongest then. Hats or long sleeves can cover up and block additional rays. Sun damage can erase the benefits of dermaplane and even result in dark spots.
Sweat And Bacteria
Sweat on new skin has the potential to trap germs and cause breakouts. Steer clear of hard workouts or hot rooms for the initial 24 hours. This means skipping gyms, saunas, and steam rooms. If you do perspire, rinse your face with cool water—forgo the scrub brush or cloth. A mild, fragrance-free cleanser is safest. In a pinch, an antibacterial wipe goes a long way—just be sure to use ones that are made for faces. Guzzle water to help your body regulate sweat and maintain cool skin. Recovery goes quicker in a fresh, cool environment.
Hot Showers
Hot water removes skin oils, which your skin needs after dermaplaning. Use tepid water and be done washing your face in a couple of minutes. Don’t scrub or rub. Lightly towel off. Long, hot showers or rough towels can cause more redness and delayed healing. No physical scrubs, no harsh brushes for two to three days after treatment. Stick to a gentle cleanser and let your skin breathe.
The Lifestyle-Recovery Connection
The post-dermaplaning recovery phase is when your lifestyle counts. Every decision—your diet, stress management, sleep hygiene, and water intake—can aid your skin to recover nicely and avoid relapse. This is the time to keep to gentle skincare and sunscreen, while foregoing harsh products and activities for a few days.
Diet
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in foods such as salmon, walnuts, and flaxseed, can do wonders to soothe your skin and minimize the chances of irritation. These healthy fats help build up the skin’s barrier, so it’s less susceptible to dryness and redness post-dermaplaning.
Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, such as spinach, carrots, and berries, provides your body with antioxidants. These nutrients combat free radicals, which can impede healing and aggravate redness. Aim for multiple servings a day. Limiting processed foods and sugars is crucial, as they can make your skin inflamed and slow healing. Maintaining your nutrition on an even keel nourishes your skin and provides lasting advantages, not just post-dermaplaning.
Stress
Mindfulness and meditation can reduce stress, therefore reducing the chance of flare-ups or itchiness post-treatment. Stress can decelerate healing and even cause breakouts. Exercising — even a quick walk — boosts your mood and promotes healthy circulation to the skin.
A self-care routine can make an enormous difference. Whether it’s reading, music, or a cat nap. Avoiding stress-inducing situations can keep your skin calmer and assist in recovery more quickly.
Sleep
Ensuring you get 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night is critical. That’s when your skin does most of its healing, essential after dermaplaning when the skin is most sensitive. Establishing a consistent bedtime and relaxing with soothing activities, such as reading or soft music, can improve your sleep.
Keep your room sleepy—cool, quiet, and dark—so your sleep is deep. Power down screens at least 30 minutes before bed to sleep easier and give your skin the overnight recovery it needs.
Hydration
Hydratio: 2+ liters of water a day. Keeps skin plump and helps it heal.
Skip steam rooms or saunas for two days.
No hard scrubs, retinoids, or strong cleansers for at least 3 days.
Wear SPF 30 sunscreen, even when indoors.

When To Resume Your Routine
Dermaplaning removes the superficial layer of dr,y dead skin and peach fuzz, which occurs to makes your skin smoother but more susceptible to irritation. During the initial week, your skin is most delicate, and a misstep in your schedule can set you back. Everything in your routine—makeup, activities, treatments, etc.—has its timeline for when to bring it back.
Makeup
Do not apply a full face of makeup for at least 24 hours after dermaplaning. For the initial fortnight, mineral formulas are ideal — they’re less likely to irritate. Heavy, oil-based foundations and thick concealers can clog pores on newly exfoliated skin and should be reserved. This is when clean tools become crucial – applying brushes or sponges that haven’t been freshly sanitized can transfer bacteria at a time when your skin’s barrier is compromised. Whenever you can, go light on makeup or skip it altogether to let your skin breathe and recover faster.
Actives
You should avoid retinoids, strong acids, and vitamin C serums for two to three days after dermaplaning. When you do, begin with a lower dose than normal. For instance, if you’re used to a 1% retinol, resume back with a 0.25% and see how your skin tolerates it. If redness, flaking, or stinging return, cease and permit additional recovery. After approximately a week, if your skin is feeling less sensitive, you can gradually resume your routine, but hold off on daily exfoliating treatments until week 3. A skincare professional can provide guidance specific to your skin’s reaction.
Other Treatments
Postpone any other facial treatments, including chemical peels, laser treatments, or microdermabrasion, for at least four weeks. Your skin requires this time to regenerate its barrier completely. Dermaplaning with any other aggressive treatments too early sets you up for irritation, persistent redness, and even hyperpigmentation. Instead, adhere to soft, moisturizing, and reparative treatments like hyaluronic acid masks and always consult your skincare specialist before scheduling something new.
Monitoring
Monitor your skin’s reaction each day. Discontinue any product that burns or stings. Resume strenuous exercise 48 hours later. No shortcuts for skin healing.
How To Read Distress Signals
Because dermaplaning removes peach fuzz leaves skin more open and vulnerable to stress. Understanding how to read distress signals prevents minor issues from escalating. Dermaplane skin can respond quickly to external stimuli, so knowing how to read its signals is crucial for maintaining its health and smoothness. Listening carefully to what skin looks and feels like helps capture distress early. The table below shows common signs of trouble and what to do next:
Sign of Distress |
What It Means |
What to Do |
Redness |
Irritation or minor inflammation |
Use a cool compress, and avoid harsh products |
Tiny bumps or breakouts |
Possible clogged pores or mild reaction |
Switch to gentle, non-comedogenic products |
Tight feeling |
Over-dryness or loss of moisture |
Apply a fragrance-free moisturizer |
Burning or stinging |
Sensitivity or product incompatibility |
Rinse with cool water, stop new products |
Flaking or peeling |
Over-exfoliation, dryness |
Use a bland, soothing cream |
Swelling |
Strong reaction or allergy |
Seek medical help if severe |
Breakouts or new blemishes immediately after dermaplaning typically indicate that your skin is stressed. These can pop up a couple of hours or days later. If you notice additional spots, discontinue activities such as retinol or acids and rely on gentle cleansers and simple moisturizers. See if the bumps are little and red, or if they’re painful. Occasionally, making the swap to a non-clogging sunscreen CAN help prevent more breakouts.
If your skin is ‘tight’ or ‘uncomfortable,’ it almost always means it is too dry. This is typical following dermaplaning, as the upper layer that traps in moisture is removed. A basic, heavy cream with no fragrance does the trick best. Avoid alcohol toners or anything that tingles, as they can exacerbate dryness.
Any burning, stinging, or swelling should be considered a red flag. This means that the skin barrier is disturbed. Rinse off any new products and don’t wear anything except a light moisturizer. If the burning doesn’t cease quickly or if you observe swelling, it’s wise to consult a physician or dermatologist.
Respond to these signs by cutting back your routine to a few simple steps: use a gentle cleanser, heavy moisturizer, and avoid extras until skin is calmed.
Conclusion
To maintain smooth skin post-dermaplaning, handle it gently. Avoid abrasive scrubs and moisturize. Avoid intense sun and hot steam. Wash your hands before handling your face. Go for a gentle face wash and a light cream. Sleep on clean sheets and keep hair off your face. Keep an eye out for red splotches or bumps. See a professional if things appear off. The right steps assist the skin to repair quickly and appear vibrant. Minor adjustments to your skincare routine go a long way. Drop questions or tips in the comments! Let’s do one another a favor and get the most out of dermaplaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Should I Avoid After Dermaplaning The Peach Fuzz?
Stay away from the sun, harsh products, makeup, and your hands. These will inflame your sensitive skin and impede recovery.
2. Can I Use Exfoliating Products Right After Dermaplaning?
No, don’t use exfoliants like scrubs or acids for at least 3 days. Your skin is more sensitive and can become irritated easily.
3. When Can I Wear Makeup Again After Dermaplaning?
Avoid putting on makeup for at least 24 hours. This gives your skin time to heal and minimizes the risk of clogged pores or irritation.
4. Is It Okay To Go Out In The Sun After Dermaplaning?
Minimize sun exposure and wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Your skin is sensitive and can burn or darken more easily.
5. What Skincare Products Should I Use Post-Dermaplaning?
Try using gentle cleansers and hydrating moisturizers. Seek out products with calming ingredients like aloe or hyaluronic acid to assist in soothing your skin.
6. How Do I Know If My Skin Is Reacting Badly After Dermaplaning?
Be alert for signs of redness, swelling, or a burning sensation. If irritation lasts for more than two days, consult a skin care professional.
7. Can I Exercise After Dermaplaning?
Avoid strenuous activity and sweating for a minimum of 24 hours. Sweat and friction can irritate freshly dermaplaned skin.
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