There’s a lot of confusion around this issue and we wanted to clear it up…and debunk some myths. In a word, no, dermaplaning does not cause acne. But here’s the thing it’s important to understand: If you don’t prepare your skin or your tools properly, there’s a chance you may accidentally spread acne-causing bacteria. Read on for all the details, and learn how to keep your skin smooth, fuzz-free and clear.
Can dermaplaning help acne?
Yes, it can! If you have acne-prone skin, dermaplaning can be an important part of your blemish-fighting skincare routine. The reason? Dermaplaning gently exfoliates the oldest layer of dead skin cells from your skin’s surface, and as you probably know, exfoliation plays a key role in acne prevention.
Let’s break it down: Acne blemishes begin when dead skin cells mix with sebum (an oily substance your skin produces naturally, in order to keep your skin hydrated). This gunky mixture of oil and dead skin cells is thick and sticky, and it can easily become trapped inside your pores. When the gunk is exposed to air, it oxidizes and turns a blackish color, creating what’s known as a blackhead. When a layer of skin remains present over the gunk and forms a little bump, it’s known as a whitehead. Both blackheads and whiteheads are considered non-inflammatory, but if bacteria enters the mix, that’s when you can end up with a red, inflamed pimple or even a cyst.
The bacteria that’s responsible for causing acne is called Cutibacterium acnes or “C. acnes.” It’s found naturally in human skin, especially on areas where a lot of oil glands are present, like your face. Oddly enough, C. acnes is actually a normal part of your skin's microbiome. But when your skin produces too much oil and your pores become blocked, C. acnes can start to multiply and spread, causing inflammation and breakouts.
So, it’s clear that regular exfoliation can help manage the recurrence of acne by preventing dead skin cells from building up, mixing with oil, and clogging your pores. But the flip side, if the tools you’re using to exfoliate have come into contact with C. acnes (or if you’re not prepping your skin properly), there’s a chance you may inadvertently spread C. acnes —which is the last thing you want to do. Fortunately, it’s easy to take a few simple precautions to ensure you’re dermaplaning without spreading acne-causing bacteria.
Prep your skin
When you’re dermaplaning, you always want to start with super-clean skin that’s thoroughly dry. Our PREFLASH® Cleanser is specially formulated to completely remove surface oil—much more so than your regular daily cleanser. That’s why we recommend using it only before Sonic Dermaplaning, not as your everyday cleanser.
Always use a fresh MIcroFine™ Edge
Have you ever shaved your legs with an old razor blade and noticed a bunch of tiny, itchy red bumps afterward? This is caused by bacteria that’s on your razor blade, which can enter into your hair follicles as you’re shaving. Sonic Dermaplaning is a form of exfoliation that also happens to remove peach fuzz, so if you use an old blade, there’s a chance that C. acnes can enter the pores (a.k.a.) hair follicles on your face. The bottom line? Use a fresh MicroFine Edge every time you use your LUXE+ device. “Think of it like this,” says DERMAFLASH founder Dara Levy. “You wouldn’t eat this Sunday’s dinner on last Sunday’s unwashed dinner plate, would you? So always use a fresh, clean Edge for your weekly Flash.”
Don't dermaplane on areas of active acne
If you do have areas of active acne or inflamed breakouts, do not dermaplane on those areas! You simply don’t want to risk spreading C. acnes bacteria. And if you’ve tried managing your acne on your own and it’s not showing signs of improvement, we encourage you to book an appointment with a dermatologist. Your derm can analyze your skin and prescribe a regimen that will help.
There you have it. While dermaplaning does not cause acne, it’s important to prep your skin properly and use a fresh Edge every time. One more thing to add: Remember, you only need one Sonic Dermaplaning session every week to give your skin gentle and effective exfoliation.
Happy Flashing!
