By Agnes Grumslys · CA Licensed Cosmetologist #A330955 · 15+ Years Clinical Aesthetic Practice · Agnes Beauty & Wellness, Huntington Beach
There's a specific moment that happens about halfway through a Deluxe Dermaplane Facial. The cleansing is done, the skin is prepped, and the blade starts moving. Within the first few strokes, clients almost always say the same thing — "wait, that doesn't hurt at all" — followed by a visible release of tension in their face. They were bracing for something sharp. What they get instead is something closer to the sensation of a warm breeze across the skin.
That immediate surprise is one of my favorite parts of offering this treatment. It looks more dramatic than it is. And what it delivers — the kind of smooth, luminous, photo-ready skin that makes your daily serum work twice as hard and your foundation look like it was airbrushed on — is one of the most satisfying results in my entire facial menu.
What the "Deluxe" Part Actually Means
Dermaplaning on its own is the act of using a sterile, medical-grade scalpel held at a 45-degree angle to gently remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells and fine vellus hair — what most people call peach fuzz — from the face.
The Deluxe version goes much further than that.
At Agnes Beauty & Wellness, the Deluxe Dermaplane Facial is a complete multi-step treatment built around the dermaplaning as its foundation. It begins with a thorough double cleanse to prepare a perfectly clean surface. Then the dermaplaning itself — performed on properly prepped skin for maximum precision. After exfoliation, the skin is in its most receptive state: the dead cell barrier that normally sits between your skin and everything you apply to it is gone. This is when I apply targeted serums and a cooling, nutrient-rich mask that can now penetrate at a depth that simply isn't possible on unexfoliated skin. A facial and neck massage while the mask sets, and finishing products seal everything in.
The result isn't just exfoliated skin. It's exfoliated skin that has been nourished, hydrated, and calmed — not just cleared.
What's Actually Happening Beneath the Blade
To understand why this treatment delivers what it does, it helps to understand what your skin is dealing with on its own.
Your skin naturally sheds and renews its outer layer of cells — but not as quickly as you might expect. As children, skin cell turnover takes around three to five days, which is why children have that impossibly bouncy, clear complexion. As adults, that same cycle slows to somewhere between 28 and 45 days. And it doesn't happen evenly — natural shedding occurs in patches, which is why makeup can look flawless on the forehead and simultaneously flaky around the nose and jawline.
The result of this slowdown is a buildup of dead cells sitting on the surface like roof shingles — trapping oil, dulling the complexion, scattering light instead of reflecting it, and sitting between your skin and every serum, moisturizer, and active ingredient you apply. Products that could be penetrating living tissue are instead being absorbed by cells about to fall off.
Dermaplaning removes that entire accumulated layer in one session. Not over weeks of exfoliating cleansers — immediately, uniformly, across the entire face.
The vellus hair removal is equally significant. Peach fuzz has its own independent growth cycle — your skin's natural renewal process sheds skin cells, not hair. That layer of fine facial hair traps daily oil, pollution, and makeup residue. Removing it eliminates a physical barrier sitting on top of your skin, and it's also why this treatment became famously popular in Hollywood. Under high-definition studio lighting, fine facial hair catches light and creates a soft-focus blur that makes makeup look powdery on screen. Removing it allows the camera to capture pure, luminous skin tone.
A Session at Agnes Beauty & Wellness — What to Expect
The entire treatment runs approximately 60–75 minutes. Here's the sequence:
Double cleanse — skin is thoroughly cleared of all makeup, oil, and impurities before any blade touches it. A properly prepped surface is non-negotiable for precision.
The dermaplane — performed on clean, properly prepped skin. The blade angle and pressure are adjusted based on your skin type, with dry dermaplaning used for resilient skin and an oil-based technique available for sensitive, mature, or dry skin types where a fine layer of lightweight oil creates a protective buffer between blade and skin.
Targeted serums — applied immediately post-exfoliation while the skin is in its most receptive state. This is when hydrating hyaluronic acid, brightening actives, or peptide formulations can reach the living tissue they were formulated for.
Cooling mask — a soothing, nutrient-rich mask calms any temporary sensitivity and infuses hydration while the skin integrates everything applied above it.
Facial massage — performed while the mask sets, encouraging circulation and lymphatic drainage.
Finishing products — moisturizer, eye care, and SPF protection to seal and protect the fresh skin.
The Myth That Won't Die
The single most common question I get about dermaplaning is some version of: "But won't my peach fuzz grow back thicker and darker?"
No. And it's worth explaining why, because this concern keeps people from a treatment that would genuinely benefit them.
Vellus hair — the fine, soft, translucent hair covering most of the face — is structurally different from the terminal hair on your scalp or eyebrows. It has a finer diameter, lighter pigment, and a completely different growth cycle. Dermaplaning removes it cleanly at the skin's surface. Nothing happens to the follicle beneath. The hair that grows back is identical to what was there before — same color, same thickness, same texture.
The only difference you'll notice in the first one to two weeks is that the emerging tips have a flat, blunt edge rather than the natural tapered point the hair had before it was removed. This can feel slightly different under your fingertips if you run them against the grain. By weeks three and four, the tips taper out naturally from daily washing and friction, and the hair returns entirely to its original soft texture.
By week four or five — right around the time your next appointment is due — everything is back to baseline. Which is the whole point.
When to Book — Event Prep Timing
If you're planning ahead for a wedding, photoshoot, reunion, or any event where your skin needs to look exceptional, the Deluxe Dermaplane Facial is one of the most reliable event-prep treatments available.
Book three to five days before the event. This timing gives any very minor redness a couple of days to fully settle, while still leaving you at peak smoothness and glow for the occasion. Booking too close to the event (same-day or day before) leaves less buffer time if your skin needs a day to fully calm.
For regular skin maintenance without a specific event in mind, the ideal frequency is every four to six weeks. This aligns with your skin's natural cellular turnover cycle and keeps peach fuzz managed before it has fully grown back to its previous length. Going more frequently risks over-exfoliation and compromising the skin barrier.
Who This Facial Is Right For — and Who Should Wait
The Deluxe Dermaplane Facial suits most skin types, including:
- Dry, dull, dehydrated, or normal skin
- Clients who want flawless makeup application
- Anyone preparing for an event, photoshoot, or special occasion
- Clients who are pregnant or nursing and need to avoid chemical exfoliants — dermaplaning is one of the few professional-grade exfoliation treatments appropriate during pregnancy
Please let me know before booking if you have:
Active cystic acne or inflamed breakouts — the blade moving across active blemishes can open them, spread bacteria, and delay healing. Once the breakout has settled, dermaplaning is appropriate.
Active cold sores — the blade can spread the virus across the face. Wait until fully healed and symptom-free.
Severe rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis — manual blade contact can trigger a flare. A consultation before booking helps determine whether a modified approach is possible.
Aftercare — The 48–72 Hour Rules
Fresh exfoliated skin is your skin at its most receptive — and also its most vulnerable. For 48–72 hours after your session:
SPF every day — this is non-negotiable. Skin freshly cleared of its dead cell layer is significantly more susceptible to UV damage. Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, applied before leaving the house.
Keep products simple — a gentle cleanser and a hydrating moisturizer. No retinol, no salicylic acid, no glycolic acid, no vitamin C serum for three days. These actives are valuable — but applied to freshly exfoliated skin, they can cause irritation before the barrier has had time to stabilize.
Avoid heavy sweating for 24 hours — gymnasiums, saunas, hot yoga, and swimming pools expose freshly cleared pores to bacteria and chemicals before they've had a chance to settle.
Lightweight products only — immediately post-treatment, avoid heavy, thick moisturizers or silicone-heavy primers that can settle into freshly opened pores. Lightweight, barrier-repairing serums are ideal.
How the Deluxe Dermaplane Compares to Other Treatments
Dermaplaning and DMK Enzyme Therapy work at completely different levels of the skin — which is why they serve different clients and different goals.
Dermaplaning works on the surface — the stratum corneum, the outermost dead cell layer, and the vellus hair above it. It is immediate, zero-downtime, and delivers visible radiance and texture improvement from session one.
DMK works at the cellular level — triggering reverse osmosis within the living skin cells themselves to flush waste and flood the tissue with fresh oxygen. DMK treats acne, scarring, hyperpigmentation, melasma, and aging skin at a biological depth that no physical exfoliation can reach.
A chemical peel sits between the two — using acid to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells (rather than manually removing them) and penetrating slightly deeper than dermaplaning for more targeted pigmentation and acne work.
Because dermaplaning removes the dead cell barrier before anything else is applied, it makes an excellent primer for other treatments. Many clients combine a Deluxe Dermaplane with mild chemical exfoliation or LED light therapy in the same session for a compounding effect — the peel or light penetrates more evenly and deeply when the surface barrier is already cleared.
→ View the full facial menu at Agnes Beauty & Wellness
Agnes Grumslys is a California Licensed Cosmetologist (License #A330955) with 15+ years of clinical aesthetic practice at Agnes Beauty & Wellness, Huntington Beach. She offers the Deluxe Dermaplane Facial as part of a comprehensive luxury facial menu that includes BioRePeel, Korean O2 facials, and fully customized treatments. Book your Deluxe Dermaplane Facial here →
Frequently Asked Questions About the Deluxe Dermaplane Facial
Does dermaplaning hurt?
Not at all. Most clients describe it as a gentle scratching or shaving sensation — surprisingly relaxing, especially during the soothing mask and massage portions of the deluxe version. The anticipation is almost always worse than the actual experience.
Will my facial hair grow back thicker or darker after dermaplaning?
No — this is biologically impossible. Vellus hair (peach fuzz) is structurally different from the coarser terminal hair on your scalp or eyebrows. Dermaplaning removes it cleanly at the surface without affecting the follicle below. The hair grows back identically — same color, same thickness, same texture. You may notice a slightly blunt tip in weeks one and two as it emerges, which softens back to normal by weeks three to four.
How often should I book the Deluxe Dermaplane Facial?
Every four to six weeks, which aligns with your skin's natural cellular turnover cycle and keeps peach fuzz managed before it fully regrows. Going more frequently than four weeks can over-exfoliate and compromise your skin barrier.
What should I stop using before my appointment?
Discontinue retinol, Retin-A, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and other active chemical exfoliants three to five days before your session. Avoid waxing or threading the face in the five to seven days beforehand. Come in without sunburn or fresh sun damage on the skin.
Is dermaplaning safe if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Yes — it's one of the few professional-grade exfoliation treatments considered appropriate during pregnancy and nursing because it doesn't use chemical acids or active ingredients that could be absorbed systemically. Always confirm with your healthcare provider, but dermaplaning is generally a safe, effective option for expectant clients who want professional skin care during pregnancy.
Can the Deluxe Dermaplane Facial be combined with other treatments?
Yes. Because dermaplaning removes the dead cell barrier, it makes other treatments significantly more effective when performed in the same session. It's commonly combined with mild chemical exfoliation, LED light therapy, and targeted masks. I'll make recommendations based on your skin type and goals at your appointment.
Who should not book this facial?
Those with active, inflamed cystic acne — the blade can open blemishes and spread bacteria. Active cold sores — the blade can spread the virus. Severe rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis flare-ups — manual blade contact can aggravate these conditions. If you're unsure, reach out before booking and I'll help determine whether a modified approach or an alternative treatment is more appropriate.
Book your Deluxe Dermaplane Facial at Agnes Beauty & Wellness →