Dermaplaning aftercare is the difference between a fleeting glow and weeks of smooth, light-reflective skin. Dermaplaning gently exfoliates by removing dead skin cells and peach fuzz, revealing a smoother, more radiant complexion. You’ve just removed dulling buildup and vellus hair at the surface, now your barrier needs calm, hydration, and protection to lock in that radiance.
In the first 24–72 hours, your complexion is especially receptive, and vulnerable. Following aftercare tips is essential for optimal results, as the right steps will keep pores clear, minimize irritation, and help active ingredients perform better in the days ahead. Below is a clinician-informed roadmap you can use immediately after your appointment to keep skin smooth, calm, and bright.
Let’s start with an aftercare guide for the first 72 hours fater Dermaplaning treatment.
Your 72-Hour Dermaplaning Treatment Aftercare Game Plan for Lasting Glow
The window right after treatment determines how well your results last. Think of the next three days as a strategic cooldown: be gentle, layer hydration, and shield from UV. This approach reduces redness, stinging, and post-procedure breakouts while preserving that glassy finish. Mild redness is common after treatment but usually subsides within a day or two. Even if you’re a skincare enthusiast, scale back the actives, your newly baby-smooth skin doesn’t need extra exfoliation yet.
By the way, if you haven’t had your dermaplaning treatment yet, you should read up on dermaplaning preparation tips.
Follow a gentle skincare routine to help your skin recover and prevent irritation. This will support product absorption and minimize the risk of side effects.
Day 0–1: Cleanse, Calm, and Shield
In the first 24 hours, treat your face like delicate silk. Your goals: keep the barrier intact, avoid pore-clogging, and prevent UV-triggered discoloration. Use a gentle, fragrance-free routine and steer clear of heat, sweat, and friction that can spark irritation. Avoid direct sun exposure and minimize sun exposure to protect your sensitive skin.
- Wash once at night with a gentle cleanser that is pH-balanced and sulfate-free. This helps avoid irritation and maintains your skin’s moisture barrier. Lukewarm water only; pat dry, no rubbing.
- Moisturize generously with a gentle moisturizer containing barrier-repair ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, squalane, or glycerin. You can also use soothing serums to calm and hydrate the skin. Occlusives such as petrolatum can be helpful in a thin layer if you’re dry or sensitive.
- Protect with a broad spectrum spf (SPF 30+) whenever exposed to daylight, even indoors near windows, to shield your skin from harmful UV rays. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are well-tolerated.
- Avoid makeup for 24 hours if possible. If you must, use a light mineral formulation and remove it gently the same day.
- Skip heat and sweat: Avoid excessive sweating and strenuous exercise, as well as saunas, hot yoga, steam rooms, and intense workouts, since these can amplify redness, swelling, and increase the risk of irritation or infection.
Why the caution? Post-dermaplaning skin temporarily loses some of its protective buffer against irritants. Strong exfoliants (scrubs, AHA/BHA toners), retinoids, and benzoyl peroxide can sting and create micro-flaking right now, which dulls your glow and may trigger breakouts. Hold them for later in the week.
Day 2–3: Nourish and Brighten Without Over-Exfoliating
As tightness or tingling fades, you can start layering targeted benefits. Hydration remains the star, and maintaining proper hydration, both by using hydrating serums and moisturizers and by drinking plenty of water, is essential for recovery. You can introduce mild antioxidants if your skin feels calm. Still, avoid aggressive exfoliation, your dermaplaning session already removed dead cells and peach fuzz, leaving your skin smoother and more receptive to skincare.
Morning: since your skin is freshly exfoliated, cleanse lightly (or rinse with water if you’re very dry), apply a hydrating serum (hyaluronic acid, panthenol, or polyglutamic acid), seal with a ceramide-rich moisturizer, and finish with mineral SPF 30+.
Evening: cleanse gently and use a barrier-supportive moisturizer. If you tolerate vitamin C well, a low- to mid-strength formulation can help support brightness and even tone, but patch test first and skip it if you notice stinging. Fragrance-free, alcohol-free products are your safest bets.
Continue to avoid retinoids, glycolic/lactic/salicylic acids, and physical scrubs until the end of Day 3. Your skin doesn’t need more exfoliation yet, overdoing it can backfire with flaking, dullness, or breakouts.
Beyond Day 3: Maintain Results Without Irritation
From Day 4 onward, most people can slowly reintroduce actives they were using previously. However, it is important to wait at least a week before reintroducing glycolic acid, glycolic acids, salicylic acid, laser treatments, or other facial treatments such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion. Start with a lower frequency (every other night) and build up based on comfort. If you use retinoids, begin with a pea-sized amount and buffer with moisturizer. For exfoliating acids, try a gentle product once weekly to maintain clarity, then adjust.
Daily sunscreen remains non-negotiable to protect your treatment results. Avoid direct sun exposure, as UVA penetrates clouds and windows, and unprotected exposure after resurfacing can lead to uneven pigment, irritation, and compromise your treatment results. Keep your cleansing gentle, maintain hydration, and hold off on any at-home dermaplaning tools until your provider advises a safe interval between sessions.
Proven Dermaplaning Aftercare Essentials (Plus Mistakes to Avoid)
A smart product lineup keeps your barrier resilient so that glow lasts. At Coastal Health & Medical Spa, we lean into a personalized, pharmacology-driven approach: the right concentrations, textures, and tolerability for your skin. Proper aftercare is essential to maximize your results and prevent irritation after dermaplaning. Following dermaplaning aftercare tips, such as gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection, helps maintain your skin’s health and enhances the treatment’s effectiveness. Below are high-yield choices that consistently perform, and the missteps that can undo your results.
Dermaplaning aftercare products: what to use and what to skip
When choosing skincare products after dermaplaning, focus on those that support skin recovery and minimize irritation.
What to use: Opt for gentle cleansers to avoid irritating the skin’s surface. Follow with a hydrating moisturizer containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalane, or glycerin to restore and lock in moisture. Hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid or panthenol are also beneficial. Mineral sunscreens (SPF 30+) with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide are recommended. If you’re reactive, consider simple, fragrance-free formulas with short ingredient lists. Occlusives can be layered thinly at night on dry zones to reduce transepidermal water loss.
What to skip (for now): Avoid harsh products that can strip the skin’s natural oils or damage the skin’s surface, such as retinoids, AHAs/BHAs (glycolic, lactic, salicylic), scrubs, microdermabrasion devices, and alcohol-heavy toners for the first 72 hours. If you’re acne-prone, avoid pore-clogging heavy oils during this window; choose non-comedogenic moisturizers instead. Introduce brighteners like vitamin C or niacinamide cautiously once skin feels calm and only at strengths you’ve tolerated before.
Makeup tips: If you need coverage after 24 hours, mineral-based foundations often sit beautifully on freshly smoothed skin. Use clean brushes and replace sponges frequently, bacteria-laden applicators are a common cause of next-day bumpiness after procedures.
Common compliance gaps to address in dermaplaning aftercare
Great outcomes depend on follow-through. Industry data suggests fewer than half of Americans maintain consistent post-procedure routines, which is exactly when your skin needs disciplined care the most to keep skin healthy and prevent irritation. According to U.S. skincare adherence data compiled by Tricoci University, 46% of U.S. adults follow a daily skincare routine after cosmetic procedures. The same source, citing CeraVe survey findings, notes that 60% of men don’t wash their faces regularly and nearly 50% of women skip nighttime cleansing, habits that can sabotage post-dermaplaning clarity and glow.
| Behavior | Statistic | Why it matters after dermaplaning |
|---|---|---|
| Daily post-procedure routine adherence | 46% | Missed steps increase irritation and reduce long-term radiance. |
| Men skipping regular face washing | 60% | Build-up on newly smoothed skin can clog pores and dull results. |
| Women skipping nighttime cleansing | ~50% | Leftover sunscreen/makeup can trigger breakouts and uneven texture. |
For a deeper look at market behavior and compliance, review the Skincare Industry Statistics 2025 overview. These insights reinforce why a clear, simple dermaplaning aftercare plan is essential in the first 72 hours to keep your skin healthy.
Eco-conscious swaps that still protect your barrier
If you prefer sustainable products, choose reef-safe mineral sunscreens with non-nano zinc oxide, moisturizers in recyclable packaging, and fragrance-free formulas that minimize unnecessary additives. Soothing ingredients like aloe vera, organic aloe, colloidal oatmeal, and squalane derived from sugarcane can offer hydration without heavy environmental footprints. Just remember: “natural” isn’t automatically gentle, always patch test new items on the jawline 24 hours before full-face use, especially after dermaplaning.
Mistakes that dull your glow
- Returning to retinoids or acids before Day 4 (can cause stinging and micro-flaking)
- Skipping SPF or relying on tinted moisturizer alone (failing to avoid sun exposure and neglecting proper sun protection can trigger hyperpigmentation and increase the risk of premature aging)
- Applying heavy makeup immediately after treatment (can clog pores and trap bacteria)
- Over-cleansing or using hot water (strips barrier and prolongs redness)
- Touching your face frequently or using dirty pillowcases/towels (introduces irritants)
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my peach fuzz grow back thicker after dermaplaning?
No. Dermaplaning removes vellus hair, which is fine and soft. Shaving or dermaplaning does not change the hair’s structure or growth rate, it may feel different as it regrows simply because the tip is blunt, but it won’t turn into thicker, darker terminal hair.
How soon can I wear makeup after dermaplaning?
Generally, wait 24 hours. If your skin feels calm and you must apply earlier, opt for a light mineral foundation and a clean brush. Always remove makeup gently the same day and resume your hydrating routine afterward.
Can I combine dermaplaning with chemical peels or microneedling?
Dermaplaning treatment is often paired with superficial chemical peels to enhance penetration, and it can be coordinated with microneedling under professional guidance. The key is timing and aftercare. Your provider will sequence treatments to minimize irritation and will adjust your at-home plan accordingly. Some clients may also consider laser hair removal as a complementary option for smoother skin, as it is a popular professional treatment offered at medical spas.
Which sunscreen is best after dermaplaning?
Mineral formulas with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide (SPF 30+) are typically better tolerated on freshly resurfaced skin. Be sure to wear sunscreen daily after dermaplaning, even if you are indoors or the weather is cloudy. Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen to ensure protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Apply generously and reapply every two hours when outdoors. If you’re sensitive, look for fragrance-free, alcohol-free formulations and avoid essential oils in the immediate recovery window.
How often should I get dermaplaning?
Most people schedule sessions every 4–6 weeks to keep texture refined and skincare absorption optimized. Regular dermaplaning helps maintain smoother skin and a radiant skin appearance, making it a popular choice for those seeking ongoing skin enhancement. If you have active acne or significant sensitivity, your provider may suggest a different cadence or alternate treatments until your skin is calm.
Your Skin, Supported: Next Steps for a Lasting Glow
Consistent, smart dermaplaning aftercare is your shortcut to months of smoother makeup application, fewer dry patches, and a steady glow. Dermaplaning works by removing the top layer of dead skin and peach fuzz, which helps skincare products penetrate better and leaves your skin smoother and more radiant. Proper aftercare helps maintain the benefits of removing dead skin and protects your now more sensitive skin. Keep the first 72 hours gentle: cleanse with care, moisturize well, and commit to mineral SPF. Reintroduce actives gradually and listen to your skin, comfort is your best guide. If you want help customizing your routine, request our printable aftercare checklist and get product-by-product recommendations tailored to your skin goals from the clinicians at Coastal Health & Medical Spa.
We’re here with personalized guidance, affordable monthly specials, and a welcoming, family-like atmosphere to support your wellness journey. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and let our pharmacology-driven team build a dermaplaning plan that keeps your skin smooth, calm, and confidently glowing.
