If you keep up with the latest news in skincare, chances are you’ve heard of oilplaning or seen people trying this trendy treatment on TikTok. And we’re guessing you might be curious what makes oilplaning different from dermaplaning. Let us walk you through a comparison so you can make the best choice for your skin.
What is Oilplaning?
Before we dive into the difference between oilpaning and dermaplaning, let’s talk about exactly what oilplaning is. In a nutshell, it’s a form of dermaplaning where a facial oil is used to prepare the skin for treatment. After cleansing, a layer of oil is applied to the skin and a scalpel blade or razor is used to remove peach fuzz and dead skin cells. Like traditional dermaplaning, it’s a type of exfoliation that also provides facial hair removal benefits.
The idea behind oilplaning is that the oil provides “slip” that will help the razor blade glide over your skin without any pulling or tugging. In the hands of a trained esthetician, this technique can be beneficial—but when it’s done at home, it can be risky for your skin. The same slip that allows the blade to glide quickly in trained hands can cause accidental nicks or cuts in inexperienced hands.
Exfoliation for Flawless Skin: Oilplaning vs. Dermaplaning Benefits
Oilplaning and dermaplaning are similar in that they both aim to remove the oldest layer of dead skin cells and vellus hair (a.k.a. peach fuzz) from skin’s surface. As we mentioned, one crucial difference is how skin is prepared. Oilplaning is done on skin that’s been prepped with a layer of facial oil, while dermaplaning is done on dry skin that’s been cleansed and thoroughly “de-fatted”—in other words, the surface oil has been removed. This brings us to another crucial difference: Oilplaning might not give you the super-smooth results you’ll see from dermaplaning on dry skin.
“The drier the canvas, the easier it is to remove debris from skin,” explains Dara Levy, DERMAFLASH founder. There’s a simple reason why: The layer of facial oil can act as a barrier that tamps down the dead skin and peach fuzz—making it more difficult to remove. The takeaway? Dermaplaning on dry skin can deliver a deeper exfoliation and more effective peach fuzz removal compared to oilplaning.
Which Hair Removal Method is Right for You?
Those with dry or very dry skin can be good candidates for oilplaning… but there’s another method that’s safe for all skin types and offers the enhanced exfoliating and peach fuzz removal benefits of dermaplaning on dry skin. That method is sonic dermaplaning. LUXE+ Sonic Dermaplaning is a patented device that uses sonic technology to remove dead skin cells, dulling build-up and peach fuzz without irritating or over-drying skin. “The sonic vibrations not only assist in the exfoliation process, but it also helps to get right under the peach fuzz for more effective removal,” says Dr. Arisa Ortiz, a board-certified dermatologist and director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at UC San Diego Health.
In addition to enhanced exfoliation and peach fuzz removal, the high-level sonic vibrations offer additional glow-boosting and anti-aging benefits. One of those benefits is increased microcirculation. To give you a quick refresher, microcirculation refers to the flow of blood through tiny blood vessels underneath your skin’s surface. These blood vessels transport oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells, support collagen and elastin production, and keep your skin looking healthy and glowing. As we age, our microcirculation naturally decreases. The microcirculation boost you get from sonic dermaplaning can help your skin “behave” in a younger manner.
“Sonic vibrations gently stimulate microcirculation and bring fresh oxygenated blood to keep your skin healthy and vibrant,” explains Dr. Ortiz. “It stimulates the microcirculation at a higher level to further increase anti-aging benefits.”
Increased cellular turnover is another bonus provided by sonic dermaplaning. When we’re in our twenties, our skin cells turn over approximately every 24-30 days. When you reach your forties, skin cells turn over about every 45-60 days, and this cycle lengthens more with age. Promoting cellular turnover through consistent exfoliation helps produce fresh skin cells, which gives your skin a healthy glow. And of course, regular exfoliation also allows your skincare products to penetrate better and do their job more effectively!
Concerns about Skin Type, Sensitivity and Risks
As we mentioned, oilplaning with an open blade (and without experience!) can put your skin at risk of nicks and cuts. In addition, some oils (such as coconut oil) can cause clogged pores, and oil blends formulated with a high percentage of essential oils can lead to skin irritation and inflammation. LUXE+ Sonic Dermaplaning uses a proprietary MicrofineEdge™ with special designed safety features to protect your skin, and there’s no risk of irritation from a product used to prepare skin. In fact, our PREFLASH Essential Skin Prep, which is used to remove surface oil before sonic dermaplaning, has Willow Bark and Niacinamide to soothe and support skin.
One word of caution: if you have active acne or rosacea, avoid oilplaning and dermaplaning. Always ask your dermatologist if you’re unsure.
At the end of the day, the choice between oilplaning and dermaplaning is yours. We confess that we’re a bit biased. We love the instant glow, safety and additional skin-improving benefits that sonic dermaplaning provides. Try it yourself and reveal the skin you’ve always wanted…smooth, glowing and fuzz-free!
