Dermaplaning leaves your skin in a genuinely different state than it was an hour before. The top layer of dead cells is gone, fine vellus hair has been removed, and the surface is fresh, smooth, and significantly more receptive, to skincare products, to environmental exposure, and to anything that touches it. That’s what makes the treatment so effective. It’s also what makes the hours immediately following it a window that’s worth protecting carefully.
Getting dermaplaning right doesn’t end when you leave the treatment room. The choices you make in the next 24 to 48 hours directly affect how your skin recovers, how long the results last, and whether you experience any irritation or breakouts that could have been avoided. At Alluring Aesthetics, every dermaplaning client leaves with clear, specific aftercare guidance, because the treatment and the aftercare are equally part of the outcome.
Here’s what to avoid, and why it matters.
Should I Wash My Face Before Dermaplaning?
Yes, and your esthetician will handle this as part of the treatment process. Skin needs to be clean, dry, and completely free of makeup before a dermaplaning blade makes contact with it. Any product, oil, or residue on the surface compromises the precision of the treatment and increases the risk of bacterial spread.
What to avoid after is a different question. For the first 24 hours following treatment, skip harsh cleansers, exfoliating acids, and anything with active ingredients that could further strip or sensitize the freshly treated surface. A gentle, fragrance-free cleanser applied with light pressure is all your skin needs during that initial recovery window. No scrubs, no foaming cleansers with sulfates, and no retinoids until your esthetician gives you the green light, usually 48 to 72 hours post-treatment, depending on your skin’s response.
Can I Put Lotion On My Face After Dermaplaning?
Yes, and in fact, hydration is one of the most important things you can do for your skin in the hours after dermaplaning. The treatment removes the surface barrier along with dead skin cells, and replenishing moisture helps the skin recover quickly and comfortably.
The key is choosing the right products. Reach for soothing, fragrance-free moisturizers and hydrating serums, hyaluronic acid is an excellent choice, that calm the skin without introducing any irritating actives. What to avoid: heavy, occlusive creams that can trap bacteria and clog freshly exfoliated pores, and any product containing retinol, vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs, or other actives for at least 24 to 48 hours. Your skin’s increased absorption after dermaplaning is an advantage for gentle hydrators, and a liability for anything too potent.
When in doubt, ask your esthetician in Colorado Springs for specific product recommendations suited to your skin type. At Alluring Aesthetics, post-treatment product guidance is part of every dermaplaning appointment.
Can You Stop Dermaplaning Once You Start?
Once a dermaplaning session begins, it should be completed as planned. Stopping partway through creates uneven exfoliation, areas that were treated next to areas that weren’t, which can produce noticeable texture inconsistency and missed patches that affect how makeup sits and how subsequent treatments perform.
If you feel discomfort or sensitivity during the session, communicate with your esthetician immediately rather than waiting. A skilled professional performing dermaplaning in Colorado Springs will adjust pressure, blade angle, or technique to address any issue without stopping the treatment entirely. That real-time responsiveness is one of the reasons choosing a qualified, experienced provider matters, not just for results, but for comfort and safety throughout.
How Long Does It Take For Skin To Calm After Dermaplaning?
For most clients, mild redness or heightened sensitivity resolves within one to two days. The skin isn’t damaged, it’s simply in a more receptive, exposed state while the surface renews itself. How quickly you move through that phase depends largely on how well you protect the skin during it.
The most important things to avoid during recovery:
Sun exposure without SPF. Freshly dermaplaned skin is significantly more vulnerable to UV damage than usual, and in Colorado Springs, where UV intensity is already elevated by altitude, this is not a minor concern. Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every morning without exception, and reapply if you’re spending time outdoors. This is non-negotiable.
Hot showers, saunas, and steam. Heat increases inflammation and redness in already-sensitized skin. Keep water temperature lukewarm for the first 24 to 48 hours and skip any heat-based treatments in the days immediately following your appointment.
Touching, picking, or rubbing the skin. The impulse to feel how smooth your skin is post-treatment is understandable, but repeated touching introduces bacteria to a surface that’s temporarily more vulnerable to it. Keep hands away from your face as much as possible.
Makeup for the first several hours. If possible, give your skin a full day before applying foundation or concealer. If you must wear makeup sooner, stick to clean, minimal products and apply with a light touch.
Following these guidelines consistently is what separates clients who love their dermaplaning results from those who experience unnecessary breakouts or irritation that wrongly gets attributed to the treatment itself.
Take Care of Your Skin, Before and After Every Appointment
The results from dermaplaning are real, visible, and immediate. Protecting them is straightforward when you know what to avoid and why. At Alluring Aesthetics, our team walks every client through aftercare clearly before they leave, so there’s no guesswork and no preventable setbacks.
If you’re ready to experience dermaplaning in Colorado Springs with a provider who takes the full treatment process seriously, from preparation to aftercare, reach out to Alluring Aesthetics today and schedule your consultation.