How to Prepare for Dermaplaning: Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re wondering how to prepare for dermaplaning without redness or breakouts, this medically guided checklist shows exactly what to do and what to avoid.

Dermaplaning is a specialized skincare treatment designed to exfoliate and rejuvenate, helping you achieve smooth skin by removing dead cells and fine hair. Follow the timeline below to protect your skin barrier, minimize irritation, and get that ultra-smooth glow, whether you’re booking in-office or planning a conservative at-home session.

The steps here outline the process of dermaplaning preparation, aligning with dermatologist-endorsed advice to pause potential irritants, cleanse gently, hydrate strategically, and avoid sun exposure in the lead-up to treatment. You’ll also see common mistakes to skip and quick answers to the top pre-care questions, so you’re confident from start to finish.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Prepare for Dermaplaning (Without Irritation)

Smart preparation prevents razor burn, bumps, and post-exfoliation stinging. As part of your skin care routine, thorough and gentle cleansing before dermaplaning is essential to remove debris, oil, and dead skin cells, ensuring optimal blade glide and minimizing complications. Dermatology sources emphasize pausing retinoids and acids several days ahead, keeping skin clean and fully dry before the blade touches your face, and maximizing hydration while protecting from UV. See the American Academy of Dermatology’s guidance on safely exfoliating at home and Consumer Reports’ investigation on safe dermaplaning for additional context.

To avoid irritation, use gentle cleansers and avoid harsh exfoliants or physical exfoliation before dermaplaning. Avoiding over exfoliation is crucial to avoid irritation and achieve the best results.

By the way, if you are wondering if dermaplaning is the right treatment for you, or if microneedling might be the better option, we have a complete guide on the differences between dermaplaning and microneedling here.

Two to Three Days Out: How to Prepare for Dermaplaning Safely

1. Pause potential irritants. Ideally stop retinoids (retinol, tretinoin) and chemical exfoliants (AHAs like glycolic; BHAs like salicylic), scrubs, and at-home peels 5–7 days prior; at minimum, give your skin 2–3 days off before dermaplaning. For some skin types, especially those prone to sensitivity or irritation, consider pausing active ingredients for up to two weeks to prevent over exfoliation and maximize treatment benefits. This mirrors dermatologist-approved safety guidance to reduce sensitivity.
2. Use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser. Wash with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and pat fully dry. Avoid hot water and aggressive tools; your goal is calm, balanced skin.
3. Reinforce the skin barrier. Moisturize morning and night with a bland, hyaluronic-acid or ceramide-rich formula. Serums with gentle, hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid can be used, but avoid serums or products with strong active ingredients to prevent irritation, especially for sensitive skin types. Skip strong actives and fragrance that can provoke irritation.
4. Commit to daily sun protection. Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ each morning and avoid tanning beds or extended sun exposure, consistent with AAD recommendations.
5. Schedule around other treatments. Avoid waxing, threading, chemical peels, microneedling, or laser in the same area within a week. Beauty-education programs often teach a 7-day buffer for safer sequencing (curriculum example here).

Day Before and Morning Of: Smart Dermaplaning Prep

1. Cleanse gently the night before and morning of. Use a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water to wash your face. Start with clean, fully dry skin. Even a thin residue of oil, makeup, or water can interfere with safe, smooth passes.
2. Arrive makeup-free and avoid heavy products. Skip occlusives, facial oils, and exfoliants. Stick with a light, fragrance-free moisturizer if your skin feels tight.
3. At-home users: disinfect tools. If you choose DIY, sanitize the blade with 70% isopropyl alcohol and follow basic safety principles Consumer Reports highlights (e.g., hold skin taut, keep a steady 45-degree angle, and never go over active acne) per their dermaplaning safety piece.
4. Avoid excess heat and sweat for 12–24 hours beforehand. Steer clear of hot yoga, saunas, and intense workouts that can increase redness.
5. Hydrate and rest. Drink water and minimize alcohol the night before. Well-hydrated skin responds better to exfoliation and looks glowier afterward. Applying a hydrating serum can also help prepare the skin.

Important: Never dermaplane over a sunburn, open wound, or active acne. If your skin is compromised, postpone—Consumer Reports also cautions against dermaplaning immediately after chemical peels or similar exfoliating services.

Want product guidance tailored to sensitive skin, rosacea, or current prescriptions? Get a personalized pre-care plan from the board-certified providers at Coastal Health & Medical Spa before your appointment.

Pre-Care Mistakes to Avoid for Smoother Results

More than half of beauty-tech purchases now come from individuals rather than professionals, underscoring how vital clear pre-care is for at-home users. Improper preparation before a dermaplaning treatment can increase the risk of infection, making it essential to follow recommended guidelines. In 2024, 56% of total beauty-tech revenue came from individual buyers, which means written instructions must do the heavy lifting to keep skin safe.

Women drive most interest and purchases—women generated 84% of global dermaplaning-tool revenue in 2023, and reported usage was 11% of women versus 2% of men—so female-focused prep around hormonal sensitivity and product interactions is especially helpful. At the same time, newer male users benefit from ultra-clear dos and don’ts.

Tip: Since the next step is aftercare, you may want to read up on dermaplaning aftercare, if you are thinking of scheduling an appointment.

Top Pre-Dermaplaning Errors That Trigger Irritation

• Using retinoids or acids right up to treatment day. This increases sting and redness; pause as noted above per AAD safety guidance.
• Arriving with a fresh tan or sunburn. Dermaplaning over heat-stressed skin can worsen irritation and delay recovery.
• Working over active acne or compromised skin barriers. Consumer Reports warns against dermaplaning on active breakouts; reschedule if you have a flare or open lesion.
• Stacking strong exfoliation too close together. Over exfoliation can damage your skin—keep a ~7-day buffer around chemical peels and similar services (see the training-based recommendation in this education resource).
• DIY with dull or unsanitized blades. At-home users should disinfect with 70% alcohol and ensure skin is clean and dry per Consumer Reports’ safety advice. Always use a sharp blade with an ergonomic handle for better control, safety, and effective results.

Combining exfoliating services? Our providers can plan safe sequencing with treatments like HydraFacial, microneedling, or the ZO Stimulator Peel so your skin looks its best. For personalized timing recommendations, contact Coastal Health & Medical Spa.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I avoid before dermaplaning if I use retinol or acids?

As part of how to prepare for dermaplaning safely, pause retinoids (retinol, tretinoin), AHAs, BHAs, scrubs, and at-home peels several days in advance. Many dermatology sources suggest 5–7 days when possible; at minimum, give your skin 2–3 days off. This mirrors AAD recommendations on safe exfoliation and reduces the risk of post-procedure sting, peeling, or redness.

Can I dermaplane at home, and how should I prepare?

Yes; some people do perform dermaplaning at home, but it’s important to note that at home use involves safer, razor-like devices rather than the surgical scalpel used by professionals. Preparation and hygiene are critical: cleanse thoroughly, make sure skin is fully dry, and disinfect the blade with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Hold the skin taut and avoid active acne. Dermaplaning removes facial hair, including peach fuzz, but it does not cause facial hair to grow back thicker or darker. These basics align with Consumer Reports’ practical dermaplaning safety guidance. When in doubt, seek professional dermaplaning to minimize risks and optimize results; our board-certified team at Coastal Health & Medical Spa can create a personalized plan.

Ready to Start Dermaplaning? Get Personalized Prep and Glow-Worthy Results

You now know how to prepare for dermaplaning the right way: pause irritants, cleanse gently, hydrate your barrier, and protect against UV. The payoff is a smoother canvas for makeup, a brighter complexion, and less risk of irritation. If you’re combining treatments or have sensitive skin, our physician-supervised approach ensures timing and products that fit your goals and lifestyle.

Dermaplaning removes dead skin cells and peach fuzz, leaving your skin soft, smooth, and glowing. This treatment improves the appearance of your skin by evening out skin tone, reducing the look of pores and congested pores, and targeting areas like the chin and upper lip for effective hair removal. By eliminating unwanted peach fuzz and fine hair, dermaplaning enhances product absorption and helps freshly dermaplaned skin look its best. The result is a brighter, more radiant complexion with improved texture and a visibly healthier appearance.

Ready to unlock a glow you can depend on? Book your free consultation with Coastal Health & Medical Spa. New here? Ask about monthly specials, first-visit savings, and flexible Cherry payment plans, all designed to make personalized, results-driven care accessible at Coastal Health & Medical Spa.