Kayla Young
So you’ve taken the plunge and had a dermaplaning treatment because you were tempted by the promise of smoother, fresher, and younger-looking skin. But then your worst nightmare began manifesting in front of your very eyes — your acne has come back with a vengeance.
Does dermaplaning cause acne?
What should you do if you have a breakout after dermaplaning? Dermaplaning doesn’t always work in this way for everyone, which you’ve now discovered. We’ll discuss the steps to take to deal with your breakout below.
Dermaplaning is a popular skincare procedure that is used to naturally refresh the appearance of skin. It also makes your skincare products even more effective and helps your makeup look smoother after you apply it.
But sometimes things go sideways….
How Did I End Up With a Breakout After Dermaplaning?
Unfortunately, breakouts are not an uncommon occurrence after a dermaplaning treatment. Other common adverse effects of dermaplaning include redness, the risk of infection, an increase in discoloration, and even potential cutting and scarring when it’s done wrong.
Don’t do it wrong.
Pro Tip: Unfortunately, breakouts are not an uncommon occurrence after a dermaplaning treatment. Plan accordingly.
If you have any of these unfortunate occurrences happen, it did so in one of three ways. Either…
- One of your pimples was open and the bacteria was spread over the rest of your face, or…
- The blade that was used wasn’t cleaned properly and did the same as above, or…
- The moisturizer you used after your dermaplaning treatment was too heavy and blocked your fresh and open pores.
So the next time you have dermaplaning (or if you dermaplane at home), you can reduce your chance of having a breakout by ensuring that you don’t have any active acne on your face. Oh, and be sure the blade is completely cleaned with rubbing alcohol beforehand.
If you had the procedure done by a trained professional and still had a breakout, then tell them what happened, and make sure that they have followed the correct protocols.
This isn’t to put blame on them, but just to see what may have happened, because, like any procedure, everyone’s skin will react differently to dermaplaning.
And if you suffer from irritated or sensitive skin, have been using tretinoin regularly for the last six months, are undergoing cancer treatment or have sunburned skin, then you should also avoid having dermaplaning, just like anyone with an active breakout.
What Should I Do Now?
There are a few things to consider before applying anything else that can irritate your skin, while the new breakout heals. You should allow your skin to breathe for up to seven days without adding any products that could damage your skin further.
Pro Tip: There are a few things to consider before applying anything else that can irritate your skin, while the new breakout heals.
For starters, you shouldn’t use any products containing retinoids or other active ingredients, or facial scrubs and other harsh cleansers, which all have an exfoliating effect.
You should also avoid covering your breakout with makeup for at least two days after your dermaplaning treatment.
Sweating will even cause additional problems, so avoid extensive workouts, steam rooms, and saunas until the breakout is healed. And probably, most importantly, you need to keep your skin cleansed and moisturized, as well as free from sun exposure.
This means finding a gentle cleanser, and a lightweight serum or gel, that won’t clog your pores with excess oil.
Derma E Sensitive Skin Cleanser is a soothing fragrance-free cleanser that gently lifts away makeup and impurities, and leaves your skin’s pH well balanced. Its 100% vegan and sulfate-free formula contains green tea, chamomile, and lemongrass to calm, soothe and refresh your skin.
It’s also free from parabens, mineral oil, lanolin, gluten or GMOs.
When washing your face, use clean hands instead of a brush or washcloth, then pat your face dry with a clean and soft towel. And the moisturizer you choose must contain an SPF to keep your skin safe from UVA/UVB rays while it’s healing.
This is a vitally important step to take after dermaplaning when your skin is extra sensitive. If you don’t use an SPF, then you can definitely expect pigment blotches, which are not pretty. Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer SPF 60+ Face Serum is a weightless oxybenzone-free serum sunscreen that will provide you with all-day hydration.
Its broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection can also serve as a makeup primer — when your breakout heals, of course. The serum is non-comedogenic and non-greasy, and applies clear, so it won’t leave a white cast on your skin.
Conclusion
Now that you know what to do if you have a breakout after dermaplaning, you can use your new knowledge to help your skin heal, before considering whether or not you’ll add dermaplaning treatment to your regular beauty routine.
Note that it can occasionally help with acne!
