I Tried Shaving My Face At Home & Here’s My Honest Verdict (2024)

by Amy Clark

Updated:

30 Jan 2023

Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.

Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.

I Tried Shaving My Face At Home & Here’s My Honest Verdict (1) I Tried Shaving My Face At Home & Here’s My Honest Verdict (2)

Do you have peach fuzz on your face?

Or a moustache? Maybe some sideburns? Same.

For the record, there's nothing wrong with facial hair.

It's completely normal, and most of us have minimum one layer of face fluff - technical term, vellus hair.

But if you do want to remove it for smoother makeup application, or just because, you've got options.

Some people like to wax. Others prefer threading or bleaching their facial hair.

And then there's dermaplaning.

Also known as shaving your face with a teeny tiny razor.

Huh? What is dermaplaning?

But can I dermaplane my own face? Does dermaplaning cause stubble? And can I use a regular face razor?

You're in luck, because I've been shaving my face on and off for years.

Keep scrolling for a simple guide on how to dermaplane your face at home, along with the answers to the most common myths and questions.

What Is Dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is a resurfacing skin treatment that involves gently scraping the surface of the skin with a medical-grade sterile scalpel.

This process removes the very fine hair on our faces, along with any dead cells built up on the skin's surface.

The result? A smoother, softer face.

Dermaplaning is done in-clinic by a qualified dermal therapist or clinician, but you can also buy a facial razor specifically designed for at-home use.

Is Dermaplaning Good For Your Skin?

We've established everyone has hairs on their faces and there's nothing wrong with leaving them well alone.

Here are a few dermaplaning benefits:

  • Some makeup artists swear shaving your face makes makeup look infinitely better.

  • If you find foundation emphasises your peach fuzz or clings to dry patches, dermaplaning can provide a smoother canvas for makeup application.

  • Face shaving is also a form of exfoliation, which can have a brightening effect on the skin.

On the other hand, dermaplaning might not be your thing if you:

  • Have active acne, breakouts or a broken skin barrier.

  • Find your skin is easily irritated or sensitised.

  • Have a sensitive skin condition, like rosacea or dermatitis.

Best At-Home Facial Razor.

I Tried Shaving My Face At Home & Here’s My Honest Verdict (3) I Tried Shaving My Face At Home & Here’s My Honest Verdict (4)

I've tried a few different facial razor options, and Kitsch Eco-Friendly Dermaplaners are my favourite.

Here's what you need to know about the Kitsch dermaplaner set:

  • The Kitsch Eco-Friendly Dermaplaners come in a pack of 12 razors for $12.50.

  • Kitsch razor blades are made from stainless steel.

  • The tapered, slanted shape is designed to fit against the face and navigate hard-to-reach areas like the lip, eyebrows and chin.

  • The other Kitsch facial dermaplaner parts are sustainable and made from plant-based fibres, not plastic.

shop Kitsch Dermaplaners

Dermaplaning vs Shaving Your Face.

OK, so can I dermaplane my own face, you ask?

Technically speaking, dermaplaning is the professional in-clinic version of shaving your face at home.

Just like any skin treatment, there's a big difference between the professional skin service and at-home version.

At-home dermaplaners are mostly for removing peach fuzz. Shaving the hair will also gently exfoliate and take off a very fine layer of skin.

The blades used in-clinic are much sharper and can remove more surface layers of skin, hence why they're best used by an expert in a sterile environment.

A lot more 'stuff' comes off when you have a professional dermaplaning treatment, too.

See for yourself in this video below of Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast co-host Joanna trying dermaplaning for the first time.

How to Dermaplane Your Face at Home.

Wanna know how to use a facial razor? It's surprisingly easy.

Easier than shaving your legs, I reckon.

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how to use a dermaplane razor:

1. Should your face be wet when dermaplaning? No, start with a clean, dry face.

You can do this before or after the shower, however the skin will be slightly softer after a warm shower.

2. Grab your Kitsch face razor and hold it like you would a pen, or a butter knife with your index finger resting on the head of the dermaplaner.

3. Choose an area of the face to start with and pull the skin taught. This will minimise the very small chance of nicking your skin.

Making a mascara mouth face may or may not help. Exhibit A.

I Tried Shaving My Face At Home & Here’s My Honest Verdict (5) I Tried Shaving My Face At Home & Here’s My Honest Verdict (6)

4. Use very short downwards strokes to gently shave the skin.

Avoid doing single long strokes or going over an area more than once, and don't apply pressure - let the razor do the work.

5. Once you've finished an area, move onto the next and repeat.

6. You can rinse your face afterwards with cool water, or apply a basic unscented moisturiser like Viviology Ceramide Moisturiser 50mL to the skin.

Avoid active ingredients for a couple of days, and remember to apply sunscreen every morning as usual.

Watch this at-home dermaplaning tutorial video below for a visual reference.

At-Home Dermaplaning Facts.

Time for a rapid fire round to answer any and all of those face shaving questions you might have:

  • How often should you dermaplane? However frequently works for you! Some people shave their face weekly, others (like me) do it every now and then.

  • Does dermaplaning cause stubble? It might feel like it to touch, but no, shaving your face won't give you visible stubble.

  • Does dermaplaning make your hair grow thicker? No, this is a myth! Your peach fuzz won't feel as soft when it starts growing back, but that's because the razor gives the hair a sharp edge.

  • Does dermaplaning cause breakouts? No, however your skin might look slightly red or irritated for up to 24 hours depending on your sensitivity.

  • How long does dermaplaning last? Anywhere between a few days to a few weeks, depends on your hair type and growth cycle.

  • Does dermaplaning hurt? Not at all, it's completely painless.

  • How long does it take to shave your face? No more than 5 minutes.

Final Verdict... Is Dermaplaning Really Worth It?

I Tried Shaving My Face At Home & Here’s My Honest Verdict (7) I Tried Shaving My Face At Home & Here’s My Honest Verdict (8)

My care factor is far too low to shave my face with a dermaplaner consistently.

I also wouldn't bother with a professional dermaplaning skin treatment.

Personally, I don't mind my little fair moustache glistening in the sunlight.

Those with darker, fuzzier or more noticeable facial hair will love the convenience of being able to shave at home anytime that suits, though.

And the results are basically instant.

I notice a huge difference above my lip, and where I get super fluffy along my cheeks and jawline (especially when I'm taking hair growth supplements).

Foundation glides on like a dream, looks flawless, and sits better on the skin for longer.

So yes, I will continue shaving my face before events or anytime I want my makeup to look seamless.

How about you?

shop Kitsch Dermaplaners

Want more reviews of beauty devices and tools? Check out these stories from the Adore Beauty team below!

  • What Is Laser Genesis? The All-Rounder Skin Treatment Dermal Therapists Are Obsessed With

  • Are LED Light Therapy At-Home Devices Worth the Money? Here's Our Editor's Verdict...

  • Our Editor Tried At-Home Microdermabrasion to See if It’s Legit

    I Tried Shaving My Face At Home & Here’s My Honest Verdict (2024)
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