Dermaplaning vs. Microdermabrasion – Which Is Right for You?

This is one of the most common questions we get at our spa… “Should I book a dermaplane or a microderm?” Both facial treatments are excellent choices when focusing on exfoliation, and they are completely non-invasive and non-chemical. Dermaplaning and microdermabrasion are both meant to rejuvenate your skin and remove dead skin cells, but how they get there and the benefits we get from each are where we see the differences between the two.

Out with the old, in with the new!

Before we dive into the pros and cons of each of these services, you might be wondering, “why should you exfoliate in the first place?” Most people have heard that exfoliation is great for your skin, but don’t know what it does exactly, or what the benefits are. Generally speaking, exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. It promotes our skin’s natural regeneration process, reduces clogged pores and, is an important addition to any anti-aging beauty routine. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, “exfoliation can leave your skin looking brighter and improves the effectiveness of topical skin care products by enhancing absorption. Regular treatments can prevent clogged pores, resulting in fewer breakouts, and long-term exfoliating can increase collagen production resulting in elasticity, minimizing the appearance of fine lines, and related sagging.”

I can hear my 60-year-old self thanking me now!

Dermaplaning and microdermabrasion are two of the most popular exfoliating treatments available today. They’re both preventative, comparable in cost, and focused on skin rejuvenation. While both work to rejuvenate your skin, these two treatments are very different in how they are performed and their end result. We took the time to break it down for you here – take a peek and see which is more tailored to you and your skin care needs!

Dermaplaning vs. Microdermabrasion

Dermaplaning – What you need to know

Dermaplaning is trending, so here is what you need to know. Have you ever peeled off the top layer of something and revealed a new, smooth undercoat? Well, it’s as simple as that! We all have layers upon layers of dead skin cells sitting on our faces that contribute to some of the most frustrating skin problems: breakouts, wrinkles, dullness, and the list goes on. During your dermaplane treatment, your aesthetician will use a surgical scalpel (yes, I said surgical, but don’t you worry we are trained professionals!) to gently “shave” the skin’s surface removing the top-most layer of dead skin along with fine, vellus hair (peach fuzz).

Now allow me to address the elephant in the room real quick – will dermaplaning your face make your hair grow back differently? Despite what you may think, dermaplaning will not make your hair grow back thicker, or darker. In fact, when your hair begins to grow back it might feel different, but that is only because the hair was cut straight across and will have a more blunt edge.Your facial hair will still have the same texture, and it will grow just as slowly as before.The removal of dead skin cells will not only make the skin look and feel smoother, but it also promotes deeper product penetration creating the perfect canvas for skin care and makeup! 🙂

Benefits of dermaplaning:

• Provides a deeper product penetration
• Removes soft facial hair that traps dirt and oils
• Promotes smoother, brighter skin
• Safe procedure for removing dead skin cells and “peachfuzz”
• Reduces the appearance of acne scars
• Diminishes the look of wrinkles and fine lines
• Works on all skin types except for severe acne
• Instant results and no downtime

Potential side effects of dermaplaning:

• Skin redness
• Skin Flaking
• Can irritate or worsen inflamed acne present at time of treatment

While dermaplaning on its own can be extremely beneficial for your skin, we recommend pairing it with a peel (for non-sensitive skin) or facial to greatly increase the effectiveness of your treatment and help all those rich vitamins and nutrients penetrate more deeply into your skin. At Bloom & Branch, we offer a array of facials and peels great for combining with your dermaplane, and the results are immediately noticeable and stunning!

(Please note, the combination of a dermaplane with a peel will make it a much stronger treatment and we recommend consulting with one of our associates at the time of booking.)

Microdermabrasion – What you need to know

Microdermabrasion can be a little bit more “feisty” than a dermaplane treatment. This is because it can be more abrasive, with deeper penetration, causing more temporary redness to the skin (I don’t mind looking a little sun-kissed, do you?). The goal of microdermabrasion is to make one’s complexion brighter and smoother and generally renew their skin tone. A microderm is a noninvasive cosmetic treatment where crystals or diamonds (we use crystals) will be rubbed or sprayed onto your skin, gently exfoliating the surface and removing the top layer, also known as the epidermis. This will allow you to go deeper into the dermis (welcome to anatomy class) and ultimately help the skin appear “younger”. While some perform this treatment with a machine, here at our spa we do a manual form of microdermabrasion, which allows us to take a gentler approach that is more customized to our clientele. The number of microdermabrasions sessions we recommend will depend on the severity of your skin concerns as well as your desired results. We are more than happy to discuss and create a plan perfectly suited for your skin! 

Benefits of a Microderm:

• Increased smoothness
• Brighter complexion
• Reduced appearance of fine lines
• Evened-out skin tone
• Reduced appearance of dark spots
• Cleaned-out pores
• Works on all skin types except severe acne

Possible side effects of Microderm:

• Skin redness 
• Skin sensitivity
• Dry Skin 
• Limited downtime 

For better results, you can pair a microderm with any of our facials to gain additional benefits! We highly recommend adding it to our Scar-Lightening Pomegranate for clients that want to improve acne scarring and lighten pigmentation.

Which should you choose?

But which is right for you? The question of the hour! Let’s summarize :). 

If you are looking to experience all the benefits of exfoliation and walk out of your service with instantly brighter and smoother skin, dermaplaning is probably the right fit for you. You typically won’t have to wait long, if any time at all, for your skin to recover and look amazing. As an added bonus, you will get rid of that “peach fuzz”!. Dermaplaning is also a great option for clients who are concerned that their skin may be too sensitive for the more intense exfoliation of a microdermabrasion treatment.

On the other hand, if you are looking for an intense and deep exfoliation to really promote the regeneration and renewal of your complexion, microdermabrasion is probably the way to go. The increased level of exfoliation of this treatment is an excellent choice for clients who struggle with stubbornly dry and rough skin. It is also very effective when combined with a facial to help reduce acne scarring and lighten pigmentation.

If after all this you still can’t decide, why not try both? 😉 Sometimes it just takes a little experimentation to find out what is going to be the best course of treatment to help your skin look its best! Afterall, you wear your skin everyday, and I can’t think of a better investment than that! 

Until then, thanks for reading and catching up with us here at Bloom & Branch! If you have ever had dermaplane or microdermabrasion, please leave a comment below and tell us about your experience!

If you’re interested in trying for the first time or getting back on a routine – book yours today and come see us!