You just want smooth, hair-free skin. Is it too much to ask for a simple option?
We get you.
The world of hair removal is crowded and complex. Modern science has developed multiple alternatives to old-fashioned shaving, but which is best, and how do you decide?
Our expert estheticians at AK Beautiful You in Anchorage, Alaska, specialize in removing unwanted hair so you can feel confident about your bare skin. We offer different treatments for various skin types and levels of hairiness, and we don’t leave you to figure it out on your own.
Our experienced professionals guide you through your options and help you choose a treatment to reach your goals. Here, we compare shaving and dermaplaning — two seemingly similar methods that produce very different results.
Dermaplaning and shaving: What’s the difference?
You know all about shaving — you’ve been doing it for years. You glide a razor blade across the surface of your skin and slice off unwanted hairs.
Dermaplaning is a professional skin care treatment that uses a sterile surgical scalpel to gently exfoliate the top layer of your skin (the epidermis) and remove fine vellus hair, often called “peach fuzz.”
If those two methods sound the same, we understand your confusion. Let’s look closer.
Key differences between dermaplaning and shaving
While both dermaplaning and shaving remove unwanted facial hair, the methods, tools, and outcomes differ.
Tools
When you come in for dermaplaning, we use a surgical-grade scalpel to remove dead skin cells and vellus hair with precision.
In contrast, shaving uses razors designed primarily for hair removal, offering less precision when exfoliating skin.
Purpose and technique
Dermaplaning serves a dual purpose. It removes peach fuzz and exfoliates your skin by scraping off layers of dead skin cells. The exfoliation is a big deal because it gives you smoother, brighter skin that absorbs products better.
Shaving, however, primarily focuses on removing hair. It offers some exfoliation but isn’t as effective as dermaplaning.
Outcomes
After a dermaplaning treatment, our patients tell us how much they love their skin’s smoother texture and radiant complexion. Those results are thanks to removing dead skin cells and peach fuzz.
While shaving gets rid of hair, it doesn’t yield the same level of skin smoothness and radiance as dermaplaning.
Dermaplaning: The clear winner
Dermaplaning’s dual-action approach — exfoliation and hair removal — sets it apart from traditional shaving. Here are eight reasons why:
1. Superior exfoliation
One of the most significant advantages of dermaplaning is its ability to provide a deeper level of exfoliation. The surgical-grade scalpel used in dermaplaning meticulously removes dead skin cells that hinder your skin’s natural glow.
2. Helps skin drink in products
Dermaplaning reveals a fresh layer of skin and boosts the effectiveness of your skin care products. By removing the barrier of dead skin cells, your skin can absorb products more effectively, so you get their full benefit.
3. Specializes in peach fuzz
Also, dermaplaning targets peach fuzz, which is fine, light-colored, and less responsive to other hair removal methods like laser treatments and shaving.
4. Safer than shaving
Because our expert estheticians perform your dermaplaning treatment, it’s safer and more thorough than at-home shaving. And our state-of-the-art facilities provide a sterile environment that ensures your safety.
5. Smooths out wrinkles and scars
Any fine lines and wrinkles in the top layer of your skin, even minor acne scars, go away after dermaplaning.
6. Addresses precancerous patches
Actinic keratosis is an early sign of skin cancer and appears as small, rough patches. Dermaplaning whisks those dangerous cells away.
7. Clears dark spots
Hyperpigmentation like freckles and sun spots hang out in your epidermis, so dermaplaning is a great way to even out your skin tone.
8. No risk of worsening
While shaving stimulates hair to grow back thicker and darker, dermaplaning doesn’t affect your follicles or change your hair’s characteristics, so your facial hair grows back as fine and soft as before.
Laser hair removal might be a better option if you have coarse, thick, unwanted hair on larger body parts. Talk with our professionals to learn more about your hair removal options. Request an appointment online, or call AK Beautiful You for expert guidance on all our treatments.