What to Avoid After Dermaplaning for the Best Results

Dermaplaning leaves your skin incredibly smooth but also temporarily vulnerable, typically lasting 24 to 48 hours. What you do during this period directly influences whether you enjoy radiant results or experience irritation, breakouts, and damage.

After dermaplaning, you should avoid direct sun exposure, retinoids, exfoliating acids, heavy makeup, intense exercise, swimming pools, and touching your face. These activities can compromise your freshly exfoliated skin and lead to complications that undermine the benefits of your treatment.

Why Aftercare Matters So Much

Dermaplaning removes the outermost layer of dead skin cells along with vellus hair. This reveals fresh, new skin that has not yet developed its full protective barrier. The treatment essentially exposes skin that normally remains shielded.

This fresh skin absorbs products more readily, which is beneficial for serums and moisturizers. However, it also absorbs irritants and UV radiation more easily. Proper aftercare helps protect your investment and ensures you enjoy the best possible results.

Avoid Direct Sun Exposure

Sun protection after dermaplaning is absolutely critical. Your newly exposed skin lacks the protective layer of dead cells that normally helps shield against UV damage. Direct sunlight can cause hyperpigmentation, sunburn, and accelerated aging on freshly dermaplaned skin.

Stay out of direct sunlight for at least 24 to 48 hours after treatment. When you must go outside, wear a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen. Reapply every two hours if you remain outdoors.

Wide-brimmed hats provide additional protection beyond sunscreen. Physical barriers combined with chemical protection give your healing skin the best defense against sun damage.

Skip Retinoids and Retinol Products

Retinoids accelerate cell turnover and can be highly irritating to freshly exfoliated skin. Using these products after dermaplaning often leads to redness, peeling, burning, and prolonged sensitivity.

Avoid all vitamin A derivatives for at least five to seven days after treatment. This includes prescription retinoids, such as tretinoin, as well as over-the-counter retinol serums and creams.

Resume your retinoid products gradually once your skin feels completely normal. Start with a lower frequency than usual and build back to your routine over the following week.

Stay Away from Exfoliating Acids

Chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid are too harsh for recently dermaplaned skin. These acids dissolve dead skin cells, but dermaplaning has already removed that layer.

Applying acids to freshly exposed skin causes chemical burns, irritation, and potential scarring. Wait at least one week before using any chemical exfoliants.

If you regularly use products containing alpha or beta hydroxy acids, switch to gentle, acid-free alternatives during your recovery period. Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid are safe and beneficial.

Do Not Apply Heavy Makeup Immediately

Your skin needs time to breathe and heal after dermaplaning. Heavy foundation, powder, and full-coverage makeup can clog pores that have just been cleared and lead to breakouts.

Avoid all makeup for at least 24 hours after treatment. If you must wear makeup sooner, choose mineral-based formulas that are less likely to cause irritation or congestion.

When you do return to makeup, ensure your brushes and applicators are clean. Bacteria on dirty tools can easily infect vulnerable skin.

Avoid Intense Exercise and Sweating

Heavy sweating introduces salt and bacteria to freshly dermaplaned skin. Sweat can irritate the exposed dermis, causing stinging, redness, and potential infection.

Skip intense workouts for at least 24 to 48 hours after dermaplaning. Light activity that does not cause significant perspiration is generally acceptable after the first day.

Hot yoga, saunas, and steam rooms should also be avoided. The intense heat and humidity in these environments can overwhelm freshly treated skin.

Stay Out of Pools and Hot Tubs

Chlorine and other pool chemicals are extremely harsh on dermaplaned skin. These sanitizing agents can cause severe irritation, dryness, and chemical burns to your freshly exposed skin.

Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, and jacuzzis for at least 72 hours after treatment. Some professionals recommend waiting a full week for heavily chlorinated facilities.

Natural bodies of water, such as lakes and oceans, also pose risks. Bacteria in untreated water can cause infections in skin that lacks its normal protective barrier.

Do Not Touch or Pick at Your Face

Your hands carry bacteria, oils, and contaminants that can easily transfer to vulnerable skin. Touching your face after dermaplaning increases the risk of breakouts and infection.

Resist the urge to constantly feel your smooth skin. While the texture is satisfying, repeated touching introduces problems. If you must touch your face for skincare application, wash your hands thoroughly first.

What You Should Do After Dermaplaning

• Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and follow with a hydrating serum containing hyaluronic acid or niacinamide
• Apply a rich moisturizer to support skin barrier repair — look for products containing ceramides
• Sunscreen application is non-negotiable — choose a physical sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide
• Schedule dermaplaning every 3 to 4 weeks to maintain results and align with your skin’s natural renewal cycle

Frequently Asked Questions