Dermaplaning in Virginia Beach

Jump To

Is your skin looking dull? Tired? It may just need a quick refresher to get rid of old skin cells that are keeping it from reaching its full potential of health and beauty. Many people include exfoliation as part of their normal skincare routine because it’s a good idea to regularly encourage old, damaged, and dead skin cells to come off, allowing bright new skin to emerge underneath. At-home exfoliation can only do so much, however, which is why many seek non-invasive skin treatments like dermaplaning at The Choe Center in Virginia Beach, VA.

Dermaplaning | Virginia Beach

What is Dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is a procedure that is often known as blading. The treatment exfoliates the skin using a very fine, sharp scalpel blade that is brushed gently over the skin. The outermost skin cells are “shaved” off the skin manually in a very precise manner, encouraging the skin to regenerate without damaging it or causing any trauma to the skin or patient. This is a non-invasive treatment that is excellent for many different skin types. The procedure can be performed as a full face treatment, or to address specific areas of concern.

The benefits of Dermaplaning

The treatment, though simple and gentle, can help improve several different skin concerns and improve the overall look and feel of the skin. Dermaplaning can benefit patients struggling with superficial hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin), wrinkles and fine lines, scars, acne scars, rough skin, and dull complexion. Dermaplaning does not involve any chemicals, so it is a great option for patients who are looking for an all-natural solution to skin problems. The treatment is very safe when performed by a board certified plastic surgeon or an experienced aesthetician, carrying similar risks to shaving. Patients can look forward to brighter, more vibrant skin almost immediately following treatment.

The Dermaplaning procedure

The blade used during dermaplaning treatments is a #10 surgical blade. Before the procedure, the skin will be washed and dried carefully. No anesthesia or topical numbing cream is necessary, because the treatment is so gentle. During the treatment, the skin will be held taut. The blade is held at a 45 degree angle and gently stroked or “feathered” across the facial skin (excluding the sensitive nose and eyelids) to scrape off dead skin cells. This procedure also scrapes off the tiny translucent “vellous” hair on the face will also come off during the process. The entire treatment typically takes 45 minutes or less and should be painless.

Recovery & Downtime after the Dermaplaning

One of the biggest advantages of the dermaplaning procedure is that the treatment is completely non-invasive. Occasionally, the procedure might produce some minor bleeding, similar to bleeding that can occur during routine shaving, but this is extremely rare when the procedure is performed by an expert like Dr. Choe. Patients can return to normal activities immediately following dermaplaning treatments.

Are you a good candidate for Dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is a great choice for people of many different ages and skin types. Both men and women respond well to the treatment, and even nursing or pregnant women can undergo dermaplaning treatment safely because it is non-invasive and involves no chemicals. People with health concerns who are unable to undergo other types of skin treatments may also be eligible for dermaplaning sessions.

Though many people can benefit from dermaplaning treatments, there are a few skin problems that do not interact well with the procedure. People with active acne or very oily skin should not undergo dermaplaning because of the way oil from the sebaceous glands interacts with the vellous hair on the face. The hair aids in removing oil from the glands, and can cause more breakouts if removed. The treatment is, however, good for those suffering from acne scars, as long as the acne is no longer active.

Your Dermaplaning consultation

If you are interested in a non-invasive skin treatment like dermaplaning, your first step will be to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and options for treatment. When you schedule a consultation at The Choe Center in Virginia Beach, VA, you’ll come to our offices and meet with Dr. Choe. He will assess your facial skin and make recommendations for treatments that will help you reach your beauty goals. If he believes you would benefit from a combination procedure, he will recommend this at the time as well.

Your consultation is an opportunity to accomplish a few things. You’ll get the opportunity to meet and get to know Dr. Choe and his staff which will help you make a decision about where you’ll have your treatment. You will also have your candidacy assessed for dermaplaning and other treatments you may be considering. Finally, you’ll get a chance to ask any questions you may have—it’s best to come with a list of questions prepared to help you make the most of your session with Dr. Choe.

Dermaplaning Frequently Asked Questions

The full face can be treated, with the exception of the nose and eyelids. The delicate eyelids and oilier nose are not treated, to avoid breakouts and damaging the skin. The neck and chest, while often areas of concern for skin issues, should also be avoided during the dermaplaning treatment.

Dermaplaning is one of the safest and gentlest treatments available, and the risks for side effects are very minimal. The treatment itself is painless, and minor bleeding (similar to shaving) is the only risk during the procedure. Peeling of the skin can occur if dermaplaning treatments are spaced too close together, or the treatment is combined with a chemical peel.

Because the procedure is so gentle, dermaplaning is often repeated for ongoing skin rejuvenation and vibrancy. Patients can repeat the dermaplaning procedure every three to four weeks if desired.

Though the two treatments may sound similar, they are actually extremely different from one another. Dermaplaning is a gentle, non-invasive treatment that uses a small blade to exfoliate the skin and encourage the skin to renew itself. Dermabrasion is a much more invasive procedure that uses a rough wire brush or motorized diamond burr that abrades the skin and smooths out irregularities. Dermabrasion can produce dramatic results, but involves an in-depth procedure and extensive healing time.

Absolutely. Dermaplaning is often performed as a skin preparation for more invasive treatments, including chemical peels or laser procedures. As a standalone procedure or in combination with other treatments, dermaplaning is a great addition to almost any skincare regimen.

The light, translucent vellous hair on the face is an area of concern for some women, but the truth is that the hair serves a specific purpose (removing oil from the facial glands) and will not get any darker, even when removed through dermaplaning. Facial hair for both men and women will not change in quality after the procedure, and should grow back just as before, whether it is vellous hair, or course male facial hair. Many women who undergo dermaplaning are pleased with the reduction in the amount of vellous hair following sessions, but overall, the treatment you receive in Virginia Beach will not change how the hair looks or grows back.

Related procedures: Neck Lift, Mid-Facelift, Mini Facelift.