Happy International Women’s Day! Today is a day to uplift and inspire all women to pursue their goals and dreams. We wanted to celebrate by sharing the story of how DERMAFLASH was founded—and hear from Team DF about why they love being part a woman-founded (and women-led!) brand.
How DERMAFLASH was born
Our founder Dara Levy wasn’t always in the business of beauty. Before she started DERMAFLASH, Dara worked as an institutional broker at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange—one of only a handful of female leaders with a team of 15 men. Dara rose through the ranks quickly, but after she lost her first husband to cancer, she decided to switch gears in her career. She left the Mercantile Exchange and opened a luxury Med Spa, which quickly became Chicago’s go-to beauty destination. Dermaplaning was the foundation of all facial services she offered.
“I’d watch women come into my spa looking tired, with their shoulders slumped and in a bad mood,” Dara says. “They’d come out of the treatment room transformed—literally standing up straighter, glowing and feeling more confident in their own skin.”
Dara wanted to take her business a step further and launch skincare products, and she was in the middle of researching ingredients and formulations when she had her lightbulb moment. “I realized an at-home dermaplaning solution did not exist. I was taking a shower when out of nowhere I literally screamed, “OMG! It’s DERMAFLASH!” at the top of my lungs. I went running out of the shower soaking wet and immediately began making phone calls.”
Five years and 6,000 treatments later, Dara invented DERMAFLASH—the industry’s first sonic dermaplaning and peach fuzz removal device. And along with it, she created an entirely new category in beauty. “I remember walking into a meeting at Sephora with a 3D image of my soon-to-be device and receiving a standing ovation from the women around the table,” Dara told Authority Magazine. “They believed DERMAFLASH was an idea whose time had come, and that validation helped give me wings! We’ve had an amazing trajectory since then.”
The glow keeps getting better!
Dara isn’t one to rest on her laurels and she’s perfected the original DERMAFLASH device over the years, upgrading and improving it to deliver even better results. The current LUXE+ device has next-generation sonic technology and even safer Microfine™ Edges—and it’s been honored with more than 28 industry awards.
Dara and her team also launched DERMAPORE+ (so everyone can deep clean and unclog pores without irritation), plus skincare formulas that work hand-in-hand with your sonic devices to boost and extend your glow. “I can’t tell you how many times we tested and reformulated, then reformulated again! But the end result was worth it.”
It's no surprise that Dara holds a special place in her heart for her team and her revolutionary sonic dermaplaning device. “DERMAFLASH is a brand by women for women. I adore my estrogen-fueled team and I’m inspired by them every day! LUXE+ is my baby, so I’m biased, but I’m obsessed with this device. Our magic wand empowers women to feel better about themselves with or without makeup. It provides amazing transformative results immediately—and your skin continues to improve every time you use it.”
Hear from team DF!
Why do we love being part of a women-powered team? Let us count the ways…and also give you the scoop on our favorite products!
Shelly Watts, VP of Sales
“The DF team of women are strong, collaborative, dynamic, hard-working individuals that will do anything for our customers and our team! Truly blessed to be a part of this super power team and brand. Oh, and did I mention how our founder is the most amazing woman!”
Favorite product: LUXE+ Sonic Dermaplaning + Peach Fuzz Removal
“My ALL-TIME favorite! It immediately changes my skin after each use—softer, clearer, more even-toned. It gives me confidence. I walk straighter and smile more after Flashing. Game changer!”
Joni Lay, Director of Sales + Education
“I feel fortunate to work with a team of strong, supportive women. DERMAFLASH fosters a space where collaboration and encouragement thrive. I am grateful to be a part of this AMAZING powerhouse! It’s not just a workplace, it’s a community!”
Favorite product: Ultimate Sonic Skincare Set
“LUXE+ and DERMAPORE+ are game changers for keeping my skin smooth, youthful and refreshed. I see INSTANT results and that brings me to a happy place as I am super critical of my uneven texture and pore size. There’s nothing better than seeing my skin glowing after a long week!”
Jorie Fieldman, Head of Training + Education
“The women of DERMAFLASH are amazing. It’s awesome to see their years of expertise in beauty, skin and business.”
Favorite products: LUXE+ Sonic Dermaplaning + Peach Fuzz Removal and Botanical Ketoacid Toner
“LUXE+ changes my skin for the better and allows my products to work so much more effectively. Shout out to the toner as well! I use that 2x a day to keep my skin clear and glowing.”
Priscilla Rios, Director of Content + Social Media
“Women just get it done! No excuses, no delays, just hard workers who deliver amazing work and handle business. PERIOD!”
Favorite products: HYDRAFLASH Cocooning Serum
“My skin literally drinks in our Cocooning Serum in the winter. I’d be walking around scaring strangers with my dry, scaly skin if I wasn't using it! I swear by it at night.”
Joyce To, Senior Product Manager
“It’s so inspiring to work with women who are so supportive, strong and hard working.”
Favorite products: HYDRAFLASH Cocooning Serum
“My skin literally drinks in our Cocooning Serum in the winter. I’d be walking around scaring strangers with my dry, scaly skin if I wasn't using it! I swear by it at night.”
Favorite products: DERMAPORE+ and PREP MIST
“Just like the DF team, this strong and hard-working duo makes clearing my pores easy and effortless!”
Billie Jo Bond, Master Esthetician + Account Executive
“I feel so blessed to work with the most talented team of women. We are able to leverage each of our strengths to work collaboratively towards our common goals. We are all celebrated and recognized for our contributions which creates such a great company culture.”
Favorite products: Ultimate Sonic Skincare Set
“I am a licensed esthetician who has struggled with my own skin issues and have experienced transformative results using two of our hero products the LUXE+ and the DERMAPORE+. I love representing products I truly believe in and can confidently recommend as a professional.”
Stephanie Huszar, Copywriter
“The DF team is truly extraordinary. Everyone is so talented, totally on top of their game and so kind. I’m so grateful to be part of a team of such phenomenal women.”
Favorite products: DERMAPORE+ and Serum Set
“In addition to unclogging pores, DERMAPORE+ has an Infuse setting that helps ‘push’ the active ingredients in skincare products deeper into your skin. I love using it with HYDRAFLASH Cocooning Serum. The skin under my eyes tends to look thin and crepe-y, and this combo gives me an amazing instant-plumping effect.”
