The obsession with getting rid of peach fuzz is one highly contradictory topic for this reason (and more that you’ll read about below). So we’re here to answer all of your questions. To follow, you can read all about the benefits, the risks, and some food for thought on dermaplaning. Let’s dive in, shall we? This can be done by a professional or DIY-style, though we’re not huge fans of the latter (more on that in a bit). Dermaplaning was not always a trend, but in recent years it’s become more desirable and even seen as an essential step for nailing the sought-after “glass skin” look. This obsession with capturing a “perfect” image of the skin or a full-glam makeup look was a major flex during this time, and people would go to further lengths to get it—including shaving off their peach fuzz. While peach fuzz is something everyone has, some people have demonized it to the point of creating societal pressure to remove it. As if we don’t have enough things we’ve been conditioned to be insecure about already. It’s worth noting that times are certainly shifting in the beauty industry—and it’s (for the most part) for the best. Gen-Z is embracing imperfections by placing value on the artistic side of makeup, using it as vehicle for self-expression, and viewing skin care as self-care—aka, the opposite of a goal-based approach to nailing a “flawless” look. Not to mention, shaving the face is a form of physical exfoliation, which is where that dewy glow comes from. It makes sense that dermaplaning was most popular during the height of exfoliation obsessions—when stronger, more potent acids and extreme face scrubs were all the rage. Now we’re seeing gentle chemical exfoliants replace once sought-after microplastic beads, and we’re even scheduling in “recovery nights” to ensure our skin gets a break from all of the actives. Barrier repair creams, serums, and masks are selling out faster than ever—and this is a good thing. Nevertheless, some people are still into dermaplaing, and plenty of people are asking whether it’s a must-do step—here’s what the experts have to say. Removing peach fuzz does lead to easier makeup application and a smoother canvas. So if any of these apply to you, then dermaplaning may be worth it! However, it’s safe to say that most of us are not working with up-close cameras all day long. What’s more, if you accidentally knick your skin too deeply or hit a pimple, ingrown hair, or other kinds of inflamed skin, you run the risk of infection. Finally, if you’re not careful, you can damage your skin barrier by over-exfoliating. This could mean using it too often, going over the same area more than once, using irritating products afterward, etc. To sum up—the risks generally outweigh the benefits. However, if you haven’t really thought about your peach fuzz too much until you heard about dermaplaning, then you might be adopting a media-induced insecurity. While sharing insecurities online can help us feel connected, it can also result in people picking up new insecurities they didn’t have before, which is exactly the opposite of what the world of beauty standards needs right now. This is kind of like the face symmetry trend from a few months back—some people never thought about whether or not their face was symmetrical until a filter showed them the results—these are new insecurities that may not even be yours to begin with, so try to keep that in mind. If you choose to visit a professional, it can cost upward of $150 as well for a single session. Not to mention, that’s a chunk out of your day you’ll be setting aside. Plus, the pros use high-tech tools to follow up treatments such as professional-grade LED lights or facial ultrasound machines. These you simply can’t replicate at home; according to Rouleau, “A cold ultrasound can hydrate the new cells with potent antioxidants to soothe inflammation and reduce post-procedure redness.” So if you decide to remove facial hair for any reason—do your thing, especially if it will make you feel better about yourself and be more present. But using a high-quality facial razor is a safer option than dermplaning. Plus, for thicker hairs, a facial razor will be more effective, too. And if you want a more permanent solution—again especially for thicker, darker hairs—King recommends laser hair removal; you can read more about that here if you’re curious. Some of them even have multiple benefits: Shop our favorite retinol products here. If you don’t want to use a scrub, you can also use a gentle damp rag to massage your cleanser into the skin. This will help to gently exfoliate, too—just don’t rub too hard.
