By Elite Med Spa | Berwyn | Updated September 2026
Your skin looks amazing right after dermaplaning. Smooth, bright, and fuzz-free. The next 48 hours decide how long that glow lasts.
Dermaplaning removes a layer of dead skin cells along with peach fuzz. That fresh skin underneath is healthy, but it is also more exposed. It needs a little extra care for a couple of days.
The good news: dermaplaning aftercare is simple. No special kit. No complicated routine. Just a few smart habits and a short list of things to skip.
Here is exactly what to do, hour by hour.
Why Aftercare Matters After Dermaplaning
During a dermaplaning facial, your provider uses a sterile blade to lift away dead skin and vellus hair. That dead layer normally acts as a light buffer against sun, heat, and harsh products.
With it gone, your skin:
- Absorbs products faster and deeper
- Reacts more easily to the sun
- Can sting with strong ingredients it usually handles fine
Good aftercare protects your results and helps you avoid redness, irritation, and breakouts.
The First 6 Hours
Your skin may look a little pink and feel slightly warm or tingly. This is normal and usually fades within a few hours.
Do:
- Keep your hands off your face
- Let the serum and SPF your provider applied stay on
- Drink water and keep your skin hydrated from the inside
Avoid:
- Washing your face right away
- Touching, rubbing, or picking at your skin
- Direct sun, even for short trips outside
The First 24 Hours
This is the most important window. Your skin is at its most sensitive.
Do:
- Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and lukewarm water
- Pat your face dry with a clean towel. Do not rub.
- Apply a simple, calming moisturizer
- Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen if you go outside
- Sleep on a clean pillowcase
Avoid:
- Hard workouts and heavy sweating
- Hot showers aimed at your face
- Saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs
- Scrubs, brushes, and washcloths
- Retinol, acids, and other active products
What about makeup? Your skin can handle light makeup the same day, and it will go on beautifully. If you want to give your skin a full break, wait until the next morning. Either way, use clean brushes or sponges. Dirty tools on fresh skin is an easy way to trigger a breakout.
Hours 24 to 48
Your skin is calming down, but it is still more sensitive than usual. Keep things gentle.
Do:
- Keep using a gentle cleanser and moisturizer
- Reapply sunscreen every day, and more often if you are outdoors
- Return to light exercise if your skin feels normal
Avoid:
- Swimming pools and hot tubs. Chlorine can irritate fresh skin.
- Retinol, retinoids, and exfoliating acids (glycolic, salicylic, lactic)
- Face masks with strong actives
- Waxing, threading, or tweezing on treated areas
- Any at-home exfoliation
After 48 Hours
Most people can go back to their normal routine at this point.
Bring back active products slowly. Start with one, like your usual serum, then add retinol or acids a few days later if your skin feels comfortable. If anything stings, pull back and give your skin more time.
Keep wearing sunscreen every day. That habit protects your results long after the 48 hours are up.
Quick Aftercare Cheat Sheet
| Do | Avoid | |
|---|---|---|
| Cleansing | Gentle, fragrance-free cleanser | Scrubs, brushes, hot water |
| Skincare | Simple moisturizer, hyaluronic acid | Retinol, acids, harsh masks |
| Sun | Daily broad-spectrum SPF | Direct sun, tanning beds |
| Activity | Rest, light movement | Heavy sweating for 24 hours |
| Heat and water | Lukewarm showers | Saunas, steam rooms, pools, hot tubs |
| Hands and tools | Clean pillowcase, clean brushes | Touching, picking, dirty makeup tools |
| Hair removal | Wait for your next visit | Shaving, waxing, threading |
Best Products to Use After Dermaplaning
Keep it simple. Your skin wants calm and moisture, not a lot of action.
Good choices:
- Gentle, fragrance-free cleanser
- Hyaluronic acid serum for hydration
- Basic moisturizer with ceramides
- Mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide
Hold off on:
- Retinol and prescription retinoids
- Vitamin C serums with strong acids
- Glycolic, salicylic, or lactic acid
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Toners with alcohol
- Anything heavily scented
Not sure about a product you already use? Bring it to your appointment or ask your provider before you leave.
What Is Normal After Dermaplaning
These are common and usually go away on their own:
- Mild pinkness for a few hours
- A slight tingle when you apply products
- Skin that feels a little tight or dry
- A small breakout or two as your pores adjust
When to Call Your Provider
Reach out to us if you notice:
- Redness that lasts more than a day or keeps getting worse
- Swelling, heat, or pain
- Bumps filled with pus or crusting
- A rash or hives
- Any small nick that does not heal cleanly
It is always better to ask. You can learn more about how we protect every client on our safety standards page.
Mistakes That Ruin Dermaplaning Results
Skipping sunscreen. This is the big one. Fresh skin burns and pigments more easily. Sun damage can undo your glow and lead to dark spots.
Using retinol the same night. It feels like a good idea because your skin will absorb it well. That is exactly the problem. It can sting, peel, and irritate.
Shaving between visits. Let your peach fuzz grow back on its own. It will not grow back thicker, as we explain in Dermaplaning Facial: Does Hair Grow Back Thicker? Stick to your regular appointment schedule instead.
Stacking treatments at home. Do not follow dermaplaning with an at-home peel or scrub. If you want extra exfoliation, let a provider plan it.
Planning Your Next Treatment
Most clients book dermaplaning every three to four weeks. This matches your skin’s natural renewal cycle and keeps your skin smooth.
Want to add something else? Dermaplaning pairs well with other treatments, but timing matters. Your provider will tell you how far apart to schedule:
- HydraFacial MD is often done the same visit, right after dermaplaning
- Tratamiento facial DiamondGlow can also be paired the same day
- peelings químicos can follow dermaplaning in a planned session, but never on your own at home
- Lumecca IPL y depilación láser should be spaced out. Ask your provider for timing.
Still choosing between exfoliation options? Read Dermaplaning vs Chemical Peel.
Preguntas frecuentes
How long does it take to recover from dermaplaning?
There is no real downtime. Most people have mild pinkness for a few hours at most. Your skin stays more sensitive for about 48 hours, so gentle care and sunscreen are important during that time.
Can I wear makeup after dermaplaning?
Yes. Light makeup can be applied the same day. Use clean brushes or sponges to avoid breakouts. If you want to give your skin a full break, wait until the next morning.
When can I use retinol after dermaplaning?
Wait at least 48 hours. Bring it back slowly, and stop if your skin stings or peels. Your provider may suggest waiting longer based on your skin.
Can I work out after dermaplaning?
Skip hard workouts and heavy sweating for the first 24 hours. Sweat and heat can irritate fresh skin. Light activity is fine once your skin feels normal.
Is it normal to break out after dermaplaning?
A small breakout can happen as your pores adjust. It usually clears on its own. Keep your hands off your face and use clean makeup tools. Call your provider if the breakout is painful or keeps spreading.
Do I really need sunscreen after dermaplaning?
Yes. Dermaplaning removes a layer of dead skin, so your fresh skin is more sensitive to the sun. Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen every day to protect your results and prevent dark spots.
Book Dermaplaning in Berwyn
Elite Med Spa is at 6203 Cermak Rd in Berwyn, with free parking. Every client leaves with clear aftercare steps, and we are just a call away if you have questions. We see clients from Cicerón, Parque de roble, Orilla, and nearby suburbs.
New clients save 20% on their first visit. See our menu and prices or current special offers.
Reserva una consulta gratuita or call 855-293-1033.
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