The Instant Texture Reset

Sometimes your skincare routine is solid, but the texture just isn't landing. You might notice foundation catching on peach fuzz or expensive serums feeling like they are sitting on top of your face rather than sinking in. That is usually just biological debris getting in the way. Dermaplaning clears that surface layer instantly. It cleans away the dead cells and vellus hair that block light, leaving you with a ridiculously smooth base. Think of it as the ultimate prep work, your products absorb deeper, and your skin gets that fresh, glazed finish immediately. It is a massive favorite here in Woodland Hills because it is quick, deeply satisfying, and makes everything else you put on your face look better.

Physics Of The Glow

The Mechanics of Manual Exfoliation

While the concept of shaving the face seems simple, professional dermaplaning is a precise clinical exfoliation protocol. Our aesthetic specialists utilize a sterile, surgical-grade scalpel held at a specific 45-degree angle to gently feather across the skin’s surface. This is not the same as using a drugstore razor or a battery-operated device at home.

The primary goal is the controlled removal of the stratum corneum—the outermost layer of dead skin cells that contributes to dullness and congestion. As a secondary benefit, the blade sweeps away the fine, peach-fuzz hair that traps oil and dirt. The result is an immediate smoothing of the skin’s topography. Because this process is entirely mechanical, it serves as an excellent alternative for pregnant patients or those with sensitivities to the active ingredients found in chemical peels.

Immediate texture payoff

Benefits of Dermaplaning

While the immediate gratification of smooth skin is the main draw, the benefits go deeper than surface aesthetics. By mechanically exfoliating the top layer of the epidermis, we trigger a regeneration response that keeps the complexion functioning efficiently. It is a multitasker that addresses texture, tone, and product performance in one session.

Seamless Makeup Application: Without vellus hair and dead skin cells, foundation sits directly on the skin rather than floating on top of fuzz, eliminating that cakey or textured look.
Increased Product Absorption: Serums and moisturizers penetrate significantly deeper when the barrier of dead cells is removed, meaning you use less product for better results.
Instant Brightening: Removing the dull, oxidized layer of skin cells immediately reveals fresh, reflective skin underneath.
Refined Texture: Softens the appearance of fine lines and acne scars by leveling out the skin’s surface.
Safe for Moms: A completely chemical-free, safe option for maintaining a glow during pregnancy or nursing.

Peach Fuzz Blocks The Light

Dealing with Vellus Hair

The most common hesitation we hear regarding dermaplaning concerns hair regrowth. It is a physiological fact that shaving does not alter the hair follicle’s structure or DNA. The hair removed during this treatment is vellus hair—the soft, translucent fuzz found on the cheeks, jawline, and forehead. This type of hair is biologically distinct from terminal hair (the darker, coarser hair found on brows or men’s beards).

When vellus hair grows back, it returns with the same texture and color as before. It will not grow back darker, thicker, or faster. The perceived "change" some patients fear is simply the blunt tip of the hair emerging from the follicle, which softens almost immediately. For our patients, the trade-off is worth it: removing this layer allows for flawless makeup application, preventing foundation from caking or getting caught in the fuzz.

Make Your Serums Work Harder

Stacking Treatments for Efficacy

One of the main reasons we recommend dermaplaning is its ability to act as a force multiplier for other treatments. When the barrier of dead skin and hair is removed, the skin’s absorption rates skyrocket. This makes it the ideal primer for medical-grade facials or lighter chemical peels.

As a SkinCeuticals Flagship location, we often pair dermaplaning with specific corrective serums. With the physical barrier gone, active ingredients like Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, or peptides can penetrate deeper into the epidermis, delivering better hydration and antioxidant protection. It transforms a standard facial into a high-performance treatment.

The Universal Skin Reset

Ideal Candidates & Contraindications

This treatment is broadly compatible with most skin types, making it a "universal donor" in aesthetic protocols. It is particularly effective for patients with rough texture, dullness, or superficial hyperpigmentation. It is also a go-to for expecting mothers who need a safe, chemical-free way to maintain a glow during pregnancy.

However, discretion is required. We do not perform dermaplaning on patients with active, inflamed acne (pustules or cysts). Passing a blade over active lesions can spread bacteria and disrupt the healing process. In these cases, our team will recommend alternative pathways—such as specific facials or light therapies—to clear the acne before returning to exfoliating treatments.

Prep For The Glow

How to Prepare

Preparation for dermaplaning is minimal, but specific adjustments ensure the best results. The goal is to ensure your skin is calm and the barrier is intact before we begin exfoliation.

Pause Actives: Stop using Retinols, Tretinoin, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid 3 to 5 days before your appointment to avoid over-sensitizing the skin.
Skip the Sun: We cannot treat sunburned or actively peeling skin. If you have had recent heavy sun exposure in Calabasas or the coast, let us know.
No Waxing: Avoid waxing or threading the face for at least one week prior to your session.
Arrive Clean: While we will cleanse your skin, arriving with minimal makeup helps us maximize your treatment time.

Protect your investment

Recovery & Aftercare

There is no social downtime—you can go straight to dinner or back to the office—but your skin will be in a heightened state of vulnerability. Because we have removed the protective layer of dead skin, your fresh cells are hyper-sensitive to UV light and heat.

SPF is Non-Negotiable

Your skin has lost its physical sun shield. You must wear a high-quality, broad-spectrum sunscreen immediately after treatment and typically for the next few weeks to prevent hyperpigmentation.

Hold the Heat

Avoid heavy workouts, saunas, or steam rooms for 24 hours. Sweat contains salts that can sting fresh skin and potentially cause irritation.

Keep it Gentle

For the first 48 hours, use a gentle cleanser and hydrating moisturizer. Avoid scrubbing or using exfoliation brushes.

Makeup Timing

While you can wear makeup immediately, we love to see patients let their skin breathe for the rest of the day if possible. If you do apply makeup, ensure your brushes are clean to prevent introducing bacteria to open pores.

A Habit Worth Keeping

The Experience and Dermaplaning Cost

The procedure itself is painless, often described by patients as a light scratching sensation. It requires no downtime; you can return to work or social activities in the West Valley immediately, though we always enforce strict sun protection post-treatment as the fresh skin is UV-sensitive.

Regarding the dermaplaning cost, we structure our pricing to be accessible as a monthly maintenance habit. Many patients choose to add it onto a facial for a bundled rate, while others book it as a standalone 30-minute session. Because the hair growth cycle typically lasts about 3 to 4 weeks, most patients schedule their appointments monthly to maintain that glass-skin finish continuously.

Safety Meets Luxury

Why Choose EllEve Med Spa?

In a market flooded with quick-fix aesthetic shops, EllEve Med Spa remains a boutique practice rooted in safety and patience. We don't treat dermaplaning as a quick add-on performed by an assistant; it is a clinical protocol delivered by trained aesthetic specialists who understand skin architecture.

We use sterile, surgical-grade blades and specific angling techniques to ensure a uniform exfoliation without nicking or scraping. Our "quality over quantity" philosophy means you are never rushed; we take the time to examine your skin’s unique topography and adjust our technique accordingly. Whether you are a neighbor from Woodland Hills or visiting from Hidden Hills, you receive the same undivided attention and sterile, hospital-grade safety standards that define our practice.

DermaplaningFrequently Asked Questions

Can I just use a "Tinkle" razor at home instead?

While at-home tools can remove hair, they lack the sharpness and sterility of a surgical scalpel. DIY shaving often results in uneven exfoliation, potential nicks, and rarely achieves the same level of dead skin removal. Professional dermaplaning is a controlled exfoliation procedure, ensuring safety and uniform results that over-the-counter razors cannot match.

Will this cause breakouts?

For most patients, it prevents breakouts by removing the layer of dead skin and hair that traps dirt and oil. However, it is crucial to follow post-care instructions. Since the pores are more open immediately after treatment, avoid heavy, comedogenic makeup for 24 hours to let the skin breathe.

How soon before an event should I do this?

We recommend scheduling your appointment 3 to 5 days before a major event. While there is no social downtime, the skin is at its absolute peak—glowing and settling—a few days post-treatment. This timing ensures your makeup sits flawlessly for photos.

Can I use Retinol or Tretinoin before the appointment?

You should pause strong actives like Retinol, Tretinoin, or glycolic acids 3 to 5 days before your session. Since dermaplaning is a form of manual exfoliation, adding chemical exfoliants simultaneously can lead to irritation or over-sensitivity.

Does it hurt?

Not at all. The sensation is very mild, similar to a credit card being lightly brushed against the skin. There is no stinging or burning, and no numbing cream is required. It is generally considered one of the most relaxing medical aesthetic treatments available.

Is dermaplaning safe for darker skin tones?

Yes. Unlike certain lasers or deep chemical peels that carry risks of hyperpigmentation for melanin-rich skin, dermaplaning is mechanically driven and does not produce heat or chemical reactions. It is safe and effective for all Fitzpatrick skin types when performed by an experienced specialist.

DermaplaningWoodland Hills, CA