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What is dermaplaning? -

While beauty experts have been espousing the benefits of dermaplaning in recent years, it's still an alien concept to many. It basically involves using a small, sharp scalpel to remove fine hairs, along with dead skin cells. It's been practiced for centuries in many Asian countries.

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Reese Witherspoon is reportedly a fan -

Hollywood beauty insiders say it's a standard procedure for many stars, but not everybody is shouting from the rooftops about it. But Reese Witherspoon is one top star said to embrace the technique for that youthful glow.

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Carrie Underwood's secret skin care weapon? -

Singer Carrie Underwood has an enviably flawless complexion, and reportedly uses dermaplaning as a secret weapon in getting smooth, glowing skin.

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Time-honored technique -

Although the term "dermaplaning" has only come into common use fairly recently, the practice itself is a time-honored one. Elizabeth Taylor is one of several Hollywood beauty queens said to have been a fan.

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The secret to Marilyn's perfect skin? -

Marilyn Monroe had a radiant complexion long before today's high-tech salon treatments came along, and the Hollywood beauty rumor mill puts this down to what we now refer to as dermaplaning (and some seriously good genetics, presumably).

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Do you need a superstar budget? -

The good news is that you don't need an A-lister budget to get that celebrity glow. In-salon treatments are fairly affordable, and sales of inexpensive at-home dermaplaning tools are booming.

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What are the benefits? -

Many people are coy about discussing dermaplaning, but experts say the main aim is to increase skin cell turnover to brighten and smooth the skin. Getting rid of face fuzz is not always the main aim, but it's a bonus.

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Will hair grow back thicker? -

The idea of removing facial hair with a blade can seem counterintuitive, as most women grow up with the conventional notion that shaving facial hair causes it to grow back thicker and darker.

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Debunking the myths -

The idea that shaving or dermaplaning causes thicker regrowth has been widely dismissed as a myth, although blunted ends might make hair feel thicker. Increasing numbers of beauty influencers are spreading the word that using a blade on facial hair is nothing to be afraid of.

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Painless procedure -

Done properly, whether by a professional or at home, dermablading should be painless, and require no recovery downtime. A little redness is a possible side effect, but won't last long.

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Alternative to laser -

The process can be a cheaper, hassle-free alternative to laser hair removal. And although it's not permanent, it does bring a whole lot of extra benefits along for the ride.

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Alternative to waxing -

It can be a painless alternative to waxing and, although the results don't last as long, it's relatively quick, easy, and affordable to repeat the process.

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Suitable for any skin type -

Another of the beautiful things about dermaplaning is that it's suitable for pretty much any skin type. One exception is for anybody with serious acne–if that's the case, it's best to take professional advice before proceeding.

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Can improve acne-scarred skin -

While anybody currently suffering from acne should exercise caution, dermaplaning has been shown to be effective in smoothing the skin and reducing the appearance of acne scars.

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Exfoliating effect -

The exfoliating effect of increasing cell turnover will make skin look almost instantly brighter. Don't expect it to last forever, though: effects generally last between one to three weeks. After that, you'll need to repeat the procedure to keep the glow.

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Removes 'peach fuzz' -

For many people, part of the appeal of dermaplaning is that it removes the fine hairs, or "peach fuzz," that many women have on their face, and creates a smoother, hairless complexion.

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Shaking off taboos -

Female facial hair can be a touchy subject, so it's perhaps not surprising that you'll rarely see celebs boasting about how they remove theirs. But dermaplaning has so many beauty benefits that it's become a much-discussed mainstream beauty practice.

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Dermaplaning at home -

While salon treatments are likely to deliver more dramatic results, dermaplaning is safe and affordable to do at home, as long as you use the proper tools and take sensible precautions.

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What are the tools? -

Don't just grab your leg razor and get to work on your face! Dermaplaning requires tools such as a specialist single-blade razor, or a facial scalpel, to do the job properly. Don't go for the cheapest option, either. Do your research in order to avoid nicks, cuts, and ingrown hairs.

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Eyebrow shaping -

Dermaplaning tools can be used to whip eyebrows into shape, but you'll need a steady hand. Leave it to the professionals if you fear you might end up with wonky brows.

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Youthful radiance -

The brightening, smoothing effects of dermaplaning can help keep the effects of aging at bay. The appearance of fine lines can be visibly reduced after a dermaplaning session.

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The first rule of dermaplaning is... -

The first rule of dermaplaning is that we should all be talking about dermaplaning! Celebrities might be keeping their hair removal techniques on the low, but it's no longer a secret on social media, and shared tips and tricks (and disaster stories!) can help make it a safer practice.

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Confidence boost -

Visible facial hair can cause many women to feel self-conscious. While it's not a long-term solution to heavy hair growth caused by hormones or other medical factors such as polycystic ovaries disease, dermaplaning can be a confidence boost for women with some unwanted growth on upper lips, chin, or cheeks.

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Ready for your close-up? -

Many social media stars and beauty experts rave about the way moisturizers and other products sink into their skin after dermaplaning. It can help makeup application easier, too.

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Pandemic popularity -

Dermaplaning as a home practice had been steadily gaining traction before the pandemic, but sales of home dermaplaning tools shot up over successive lockdowns. All that time at home spotting imperfections in the mirror might have been a driving factor!

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Home beauty boost -

Unlike many salon treatments, dermaplaning can give people a beauty boost even in lockdown. And unlike many hair removal techniques such as threading, it doesn't require special skills.

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Dermaplaning or threading? -

Threading is an effective hair removal technique with a history going back literally thousands of years. It pulls hairs out from the root, which can make regrowth finer, but it can really hurt! Sensitive souls may prefer dermaplaning, and it's much easier than threading to do at home.

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What won't it do? -

Dermaplaning is better as an exfoliating, smoothing, and fine-hair-removing technique than as a permanent solution to heavy hair growth.

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Get ready to glow like a star -

Now that the celeb skincare secret is out, there's no reason not to get to work on your own A-list-fabulous skin. And if friends and family ask why you look so good, don't be afraid to share the secret!

Sources: (Elle) (Celebrity Style Guide) (Byrdie) (Harper's Bazaar)

See also: Stars weigh in on the Hollywood bathing debate

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