If you frequently fall down BeautyTok rabbit holes like me, you’ve likely come across siren eye hacks for hooded eyelids, mermaidcore nail inspo, and videos of TikTokers dermaplaning, or using a thin plastic razor to remove facial hair, peach fuzz and dead skin while exfoliating.
I first thought of the cosmetic process as intense and a prime opportunity to cut my sensitive skin. After watching enough clips of creators gliding their tools across their faces and then applying makeup (that supposedly lasted so much longer), this convinced me to give it a go.
While using facial oil, stretching the skin while shaving and other helpful tips from these videos, I did find my foundation and blush to feel much smoother afterwards, as it stayed on all day and never looked cakey or patchy. Read on for tools used, tips utilized and makeup results as well as suggestions from a dermatologist/ skincare expert.
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Dermaplaning TikTok Tip 1: Clip All Hair Back Away From Your Face
After deciding to dermaplane, I headed to my local Marshall's and picked up a razor set and a hydrating face serum with rose oil, collagen and hyaluronic acid, both priced individually at $5.99.
As seen in practically every dermaplaning-related TikTok video, the first step is to clip back all hair away from your face so that it is easier to focus on the area you want to shave. I centered this test around my sideburn/ cheek area, moving all other hair away from this spot for a more precise shave.
2. Cleanse And Apply A Face Oil Or Serum
The common next step in these clips is to cleanse your face to remove all potential dirt, sweat, oil and makeup. As board-certified dermatologist Dr. Angela Casey, MD, tells me, it's essential to wash your face with a "pH-balanced, gentle cleanser using lukewarm water." After this, I then followed many creators who used a face serum in place of shaving cream or soap, so that the razor blaze could smoothly glide along my face, preventing nicks.
@getreadywithniks Dermaplaning Tips for Beginners #dermaplaningtutorial #dermaplaningtips #dermaplaningathome ♬ Darling - Trees and Lucy
As for a serum or oil choice, Casey recommends one with antioxidants, as this ingredient serves as an "extra layer of protection on your skin." I chose one that had soothing additions like hyaluronic acid, which Casey says is "important in keeping your skin hydrated," especially when taking off dead skin while dermaplaning.
3. Stretch Desired Area Of The Skin While Shaving
Before taking any blade to my face, I carefully stretched the desired area's skin back with my fingers, as the other hand would hold the razor. This, as many TikTokers stress, is another important step to prevent nicking as a dermaplaning novice.
While actually shaving, I moved the razor in a downwards motion at a 45 degree angle, as instructed by BeautyTok creators. I also made it a point to avoid any acne marks, pimples or wounds while shaving to not cause infection.
READ MORE: Here's Why You Should Be Dermaplaning For A Clearer Complexion
4. Collect Excess Hair On Cotton Pad Or Wipe
After shaving any particular area, to avoid clogging the razor and having excess clumped hair stick to your skin, I learned it's helpful to use a cotton pad or wipe to collect the hairs and dispose of them. After cleaning all oil and hair from the blade, it continued to smoothly move along my skin, preventing infection and cuts all the while.
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5. Cleanse Again, Then Apply Vitamin C Serum
After successfully removing unwanted hair and dead skin from my face through dermaplaning, I cleansed my face again with a gentle cleanser to avoid causing redness or a negative reaction. I let my skin breathe for an hour, marveling at its new glow and soft feel.
I then applied a vitamin C serum as this is a normal part of my skincare routine. Surprisingly, it didn't sting as I thought it might, perhaps since I gave my skin time to adjust after dermaplaning.
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6. Apply Moisturizer With Sunscreen
Following the vitamin C serum, I then added a moisturizer with SPF 30 sunscreen within (anyone on BeautyTok has certainly heard this imperative advice before!) "Sunscreen is a non-negotiable," Casey says regarding everyday skincare and following a shaving process such as this.
She recommends grabbing one with "broad-spectrum, UVA/UVB protection" since this will "help lock in the antioxidant serum and seal the skin barrier, offering protection and hydration."
7. Begin Your Usual Makeup Routine
Lastly, I then began applying my facial primer, foundation and blush products to my skin as I usually would after cleansing, using a serum, moisturizer and sunscreen.
The first photo above depicts my makeup-free skin before dermaplaning, and the second shows how my face makeup looked 8 hours after dermaplaning in the morning. My pores were not visible, my makeup did not emphasize any facial hair and ultimately, dry skin patches were removed, which resulted in a clump-free and not cakey makeup look.
Thanks, BeautyTok! To learn more about dermaplaning for your skin type and goals, it's great to check in with your dermatologist for personalized recommendations.
