Does Dermaplaning Cause Acne? Here's What You Need to Know

No. Dermaplaning does not directly cause acne. Most people experience smoother, brighter skin after treatment with no significant breakouts. Some individuals may notice temporary purging or minor irritation in the days following their session, particularly those with acne-prone or sensitive skin. This is typically a short-term skin adjustment, not a reaction to the treatment itself.

What you need to know:

Dermaplaning uses a sterile surgical blade to remove dead skin cells and vellus hair (peach fuzz), which can temporarily increase skin sensitivity
Minor breakouts after dermaplaning are most often caused by aftercare mistakes, heavy product use, or environmental exposure, not the treatment itself
Skin purging after dermaplaning typically resolves within one to two weeks
Active, inflamed acne is a contraindication; dermaplaning may worsen existing inflammation if performed on active breakouts
Professional dermaplaning, performed by a licensed clinician, significantly reduces the risk of irritation compared to at-home tools

At Express Med Spa, dermaplaning is performed by licensed aestheticians under the clinical oversight of Stefanie Drozd, MSN-APRN, Founder and Nurse Practitioner. Services are available at our Frankfort, La Grange, Shorewood, and Chicago Mount Greenwood locations. Book a complimentary consultation to find out if dermaplaning is right for your skin.

But if you’re acne-prone or have sensitive skin, you may have wondered, “Does dermaplaning cause acne?”

This article will answer that question, delving into how dermaplaning affects acne, common causes of post-treatment breakouts, and best practices for clear, radiant skin after dermaplaning.

Does Dermaplaning Cause Acne?

No. Dermaplaning does not directly cause acne, but some people get a short-lived “dermaplaning breakout” when freshly exfoliated skin is irritated, sensitive, or exposed to bacteria, especially if the blade passes over active pimples or the skin is touched with unwashed hands afterward.

While dermaplaning involves using a sterile blade to gently exfoliate the skin and remove peach fuzz, this process can sometimes irritate the skin and make it more reactive.

Most people experience smoother skin without significant breakouts following dermaplaning. However, by understanding how dermaplaning affects your skin and adopting a suitable aftercare routine, you can help prevent any acne after dermaplaning or post-treatment blemishes that may lead to acne.

For personalized advice and safe dermaplaning sessions, Express Med Spas in Frankfort, La Grange med spa, Chicago Mount Greenwood, and Shorewood offers professional treatments tailored to different skin types. Their licensed aestheticians ensure a clean, effective experience with minimal risk of irritation. If you’re also weighing hydrating facials, see our Aquafacial vs Hydrafacial comparison.

What is Dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is a popular gentle exfoliation method that removes dead skin cells and vellus hair (peach fuzz) from the face, revealing a brighter, more refined complexion. It’s performed with a sterile surgical blade that carefully scrapes away the outer layer of dead skin, giving immediate improvements in skin texture and appearance.

Benefits of dermaplaning include:

Enhanced skin smoothness and brightness
Improved product absorption
Smoother makeup application
Reduced appearance of fine lines

Because dermaplaning is safe for most skin types, it has quickly become popular. However, for those with acne-prone or sensitive skin conditions, consulting a skincare professional can help determine if dermaplaning is appropriate and effectively manage acne.

Why Am I Breaking Out After Dermaplaning?

Some people experience with dermaplaning includes minor breakouts, often due to the skin’s reaction to increased cell turnover or post-treatment care. Here’s why a dermaplaning breakout may occur:

Side effects of dermaplaning: Dermaplaning promotes skin cell turnover, sometimes bringing impurities to the surface in a process known as purging, which can cause breakouts.
Increased Sensitivity: Newly exfoliated skin can be more sensitive, potentially reacting to products or environmental factors.
Aftercare Mistakes: Using heavy products, failing to cleanse properly, or touching your face frequently can all lead to clogged pores.
Environmental Exposure: After dermaplaning, fresh skin is more vulnerable to pollution and bacteria, which may cause irritation and even cystic breakouts.

Each skin type reacts differently, so some people may see a dermaplaning breakout while others don’t. Following a gentle skincare routine post-treatment can help reduce the chances of irritation or blemishes.

Does Dermaplaning Make Acne Better or Worse?

Dermaplaning can improve skin health, but it may not be ideal for everyone, especially if you have active acne. Here’s how it affects different skin concerns:

Non-Inflamed Acne and Acne Scars: For mild acne or acne scars, dermaplaning can help remove dead skin, potentially reducing clogging and evening out the skin’s texture.
Active Acne: If you have active, inflamed acne, dermaplaning could worsen it by irritating already sensitive areas.

How Long Does Skin Purge After Dermaplaning?

If your skin purges after dermaplaning, this process typically lasts for about one to two weeks, depending on skin sensitivity and individual reaction. During this time, your skin might bring up impurities and adjust to the increased cell turnover.

Here’s how to care for your skin during this phase:

Avoid Strong Actives: Stay away from exfoliating acids, retinoids, or other strong products until your skin has settled.
Hydrate: Use a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.
Wear Sunscreen: Protect your skin with SPF to prevent UV damage to the new, delicate skin layer.

Professional vs. At-Home Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning can be done professionally or with at-home tools. At-home dermaplaning is often more affordable but carries a higher risk of improper technique, which may lead to irritation or breakouts. Here’s a breakdown:

Professional Dermaplaning: Performed by licensed aestheticians or dermatologists, professional dermaplaning is generally safer and more effective.
At-Home Dermaplaning: While convenient, at-home dermaplaning may increase the risk of skin sensitivity or cuts if not done with care. Following strict hygiene and technique is essential if you choose this option.

For those concerned about potential breakouts or who have acne-prone skin, a professional dermaplaning session is usually a better option. Professionals use sterile tools and can assess your skin’s suitability for the treatment.

How to Avoid Breakouts After Dermaplaning

Preventing breakouts after dermaplaning largely comes down to good post-treatment care. With a few mindful adjustments to your skincare routine, you can help keep your skin clear and healthy. Here’s how:

Cleanse and Moisturize Gently
- Choose the Right Cleanser: Opt for a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser to wash away dirt and bacteria without stripping your skin’s moisture barrier. Avoid harsh, exfoliating cleansers, as they can irritate the newly exfoliated skin.
- Non-Comedogenic Moisturizers: Use a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer that hydrates without clogging pores. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid or squalane, which deliver moisture without contributing to breakouts.
Avoid Touching Your Face
- Keep Hands Away from the Face: Your hands carry bacteria, oils, and other contaminants that can transfer to your face and clog freshly exfoliated pores. Resist the urge to touch your face as much as possible to keep it clean and clear.
Skip Heavy or Oil-Based Products
- Lightweight Formulas Only: Thick creams and oil-based products can congest the pores after dermaplaning. Stick to lightweight serums and oil-free moisturizers that allow your skin to breathe.
- Avoid Makeup for 24 Hours: Allow your skin time to recover by going makeup-free for at least a day post-treatment. This reduces the risk of clogging pores or causing irritation.
Limit Physical Activity and Avoid Excessive Sweating
- Skip Workouts Temporarily: Vigorous exercise can lead to sweating, which may irritate freshly exfoliated skin. Avoid intense physical activity for 24 hours after dermaplaning to keep skin balanced and prevent pore-clogging buildup.
- Gentle Activities Only: If you need to be active, try gentle stretching or yoga that won’t cause excessive sweating.
Maintain a Clean Environment
- Change Pillowcases Frequently: Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to bacteria and dirt, so change your pillowcase before and after dermaplaning to keep your skin clear overnight.
- Clean Makeup Brushes Regularly: Makeup brushes harbor bacteria and oils, which can lead to breakouts if used on recently treated skin. Clean your brushes before reintroducing makeup to your routine.
Sun Protection is Essential
- Wear SPF Daily: Sun exposure on newly exfoliated skin can lead to increased sensitivity and even hyperpigmentation. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, and reapply throughout the day to protect your skin and avoid irritation.

How to Treat Skin Irritation After Dermaplaning

If you experience skin irritation after dermaplaning, there are several ways to calm and care for your skin effectively. Here’s a breakdown of soothing and protective post-care tips:

Apply Soothing, Hydrating Ingredients
- Aloe Vera and Chamomile: Look for products containing aloe vera or chamomile, as both ingredients have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce redness and soothe irritation. A cooling aloe vera gel can provide immediate relief without clogging pores.
- Use Hyaluronic Acid: This ingredient helps retain moisture, which is crucial for healing. It plumps the skin while delivering hydration to reduce dryness and tightness.
Refrain from Using Harsh Products
- Avoid Retinoids and Exfoliants: Ingredients like retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) can be too harsh on exfoliated skin and may cause further irritation. Give your skin time to recover by skipping these products for at least 5-7 days.
- Simplify Your Skincare Routine: Stick to a simple routine with a gentle cleanser, lightweight moisturizer, and sunscreen. This allows your skin to heal without being overwhelmed by active ingredients.
Keep Your Skin Hydrated Inside and Out
- Hydrating Serums and Moisturizers: Opt for non-comedogenic moisturizers or serums to keep your skin barrier strong. Avoid heavy, oily formulas and instead choose water-based, soothing options that lock in moisture.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water also supports skin healing and helps reduce irritation by keeping skin hydrated from the inside out.
Use Cold Compresses or Face Mists for Quick Relief
- Cold Compresses: If your skin feels inflamed, apply a cold compress (like a soft washcloth soaked in cold water) for 5-10 minutes. This can help reduce swelling, calm redness, and offer relief without disrupting your skin.
- Face Mists with Cucumber or Green Tea: Face mists formulated with cucumber or green tea can add moisture while providing anti-inflammatory benefits. Keep a mist on hand for whenever your skin needs a quick, refreshing boost.
Avoid Excessive Heat and Sun Exposure
- Avoid Hot Showers or Saunas: High temperatures can irritate dermaplaned skin. Stick to lukewarm water when washing your face and avoid steam or saunas for a few days.
- Stay Out of Direct Sunlight: Sun exposure can aggravate freshly treated skin. Wear a hat or avoid being outdoors during peak hours, and always apply sunscreen for added protection.
Consider Professional Advice for Prolonged Irritation
- Check-In with a Skincare Professional: If irritation lasts more than a few days or worsens, consult a professional. Persistent redness or swelling may need a tailored solution or additional guidance.

FAQs

Does removing peach fuzz cause acne?

No. Removing vellus hair (peach fuzz) does not cause acne, and clearing the dead cells around it can actually reduce clogged pores. Breakouts after dermaplaning come from irritation or bacteria on freshly exfoliated skin, not from the hair removal itself. A sterile single-use blade and clean hands afterward keep that risk low.

Is it purging or a breakout after dermaplaning?

Do not assume bumps after dermaplaning are purging. Irritation, acne, and folliculitis can look alike, and no timing rule reliably separates them at home. Mild bumps that settle within a week or so usually need nothing but gentle care. Persistent, painful, or spreading bumps need an assessment so the right treatment is used.

Can dermaplaning help reduce acne scars?

Only mildly. Dermaplaning smooths surface texture and can make shallow marks and discoloration look softer, but it removes only the top layer of dead skin and cannot reach rolling or pitted scars. For textured scarring, microneedling or a dedicated acne scar treatment reaches deeper and produces a more meaningful change.

Is dermaplaning safe for acne-prone skin?

Yes, when there is no active inflammation. Acne-prone skin without open pimples often benefits from the exfoliation, because fewer dead cells means fewer clogged pores. Dermaplaning over inflamed or cystic acne is not safe, since the blade can nick lesions and spread bacteria. A licensed esthetician checks your skin first and postpones if it is flaring.

Does dermaplaning make hair grow back thicker?

No. Cutting hair at the surface cannot change the follicle beneath the skin, and the follicle determines thickness, color, and growth rate. Regrowth can feel blunter because the tapered tip has been cut, but it is the same fine vellus hair. Hair returns on its normal cycle, usually within three to four weeks.

What skin types should avoid dermaplaning?

Skip dermaplaning if you have active inflamed acne, a rosacea flare, eczema, psoriasis, or open wounds in the treatment area, because the blade can aggravate them. Very reactive skin and recent chemical peels or retinoid use also call for a delay. If you are unsure, a skin assessment before professional dermaplaning settles it.

Does dermaplaning increase skin sensitivity to acne products?

Yes, temporarily. With the dead outer layer gone, actives such as retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic or glycolic acid absorb faster and can sting or over-dry the skin. Pause them for three to five days after treatment, then reintroduce one product at a time. Sunscreen is the one product to use immediately.

How often is too often to dermaplane?

More often than every three to four weeks is too much for most people. Exfoliating faster than the skin renews itself can irritate it and weaken the barrier, which shows up as redness, sensitivity, and breakouts. The right interval is individual: four to six weeks suits most, oily skin sometimes three, reactive skin longer.

Can folliculitis happen after dermaplaning?

Yes. Folliculitis is inflammation of the hair follicle, which can be infectious or not, and it shows up as small red or pus-filled bumps a day or two after treatment. Sweat, occlusion from heavy products, and hair cut at the surface can all trigger it. Contact our Shorewood clinic or your provider if bumps spread or hurt.

Does Dermaplaning Cause Acne? Here’s What You Need to Know

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