You’ve probably seen dermaplaning all over your social feed — that satisfying scrape of a blade across someone’s cheek, revealing glass-smooth skin underneath. And if your first thought was “isn’t that just… shaving?” — you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions our estheticians hear at Uptown Haven.
The short answer: no, they’re not the same. But understanding why they’re different is what helps you decide which one your skin actually needs.
What Is Dermaplaning, Really?
Dermaplaning is a professional exfoliation treatment performed by a licensed esthetician using a sterile, medical-grade scalpel. The blade is held at a precise 45-degree angle and moved across clean, dry skin in short, controlled strokes.
The goal isn’t just hair removal. The blade is simultaneously lifting away the very top layer of dead skin cells — that dull, built-up surface that makes your complexion look flat and makes your skincare products feel like they’re sitting on top of your face instead of absorbing into it. The vellus hair (the fine, soft “peach fuzz”) is removed as a byproduct of the process, not the primary target.
At Uptown Haven, dermaplaning is available as a 30–45 minute add-on to any facial — which means you’re getting the full exfoliation benefit layered on top of a customized treatment, not just a standalone scrape.
What About Shaving Your Face?
Face shaving — sometimes marketed as “dermaplaning at home” with a small eyebrow razor or a dedicated face razor — is genuinely something people do, and it’s not without merit. It removes peach fuzz and gives skin a smoother surface for a few days.
But it stops there.
A standard razor, no matter how sharp or specifically marketed, cuts hair at the skin’s surface. It doesn’t exfoliate. It doesn’t reach the layer of dead skin cells sitting on top of your dermis. You’ll get softer-looking skin for a few days — mostly because the fuzz is gone — but you won’t see the texture improvement, the brightness boost, or the improved product absorption that comes from actual exfoliation.
Here’s a useful way to think about it: shaving is to dermaplaning what washing your face is to a professional chemical peel. Both involve applying something to your skin. The depth, the intention, and the result are completely different.
The Big Myth: Will Hair Grow Back Thicker?
Let’s put this one to rest, because it stops a lot of people from ever trying dermaplaning in the first place.
No. Hair will not grow back thicker, darker, or coarser after dermaplaning — or after face shaving, for that matter.
This is a persistent myth rooted in how hair feels when it first grows back after being cut. A shaved hair grows back with a blunt tip rather than its natural tapered point, which makes it feel stubbly and appear darker against the skin. But the actual structure of the hair follicle — what determines how your hair grows — is not affected by anything that happens at the skin’s surface.
Dermaplaning removes vellus hair entirely at the surface. When it grows back, it grows back the same way it always has: soft, fine, and barely visible.
Why Technique and Tools Actually Matter
This is where the professional difference becomes most meaningful.
When an esthetician performs dermaplaning, they’re trained to:
- Read your skin first. Active acne breakouts, open wounds, eczema flare-ups, and rosacea-prone skin require a different approach or a different treatment altogether. A professional assessment before touching your face with a blade matters.
- Control the angle precisely. The 45-degree angle isn’t arbitrary — it’s what allows the blade to exfoliate without cutting. A face razor used at home is designed to cut hair, not exfoliate, and the angle is completely different.
- Use single-use, sterile tools. Every dermaplaning treatment at Uptown Haven uses a fresh, disposable blade. This isn’t a detail — it’s what makes the treatment safe and prevents cross-contamination.
- Prep and follow up correctly. Professional dermaplaning is performed on clean, dry skin and is followed by targeted serums and protective products. That window immediately after treatment — when your skin barrier is freshly cleared — is when active ingredients absorb most effectively.
At-home face razors skip all of this. That’s not a knock on them for what they are. But they’re not the same thing.
What Dermaplaning Actually Does for Your Skin
When exfoliation is done properly, the results go beyond what hair removal alone can give you:
Smoother texture. Dead skin cells pile up on the surface, creating an uneven, sometimes rough texture — especially noticeable in dry climates like Fargo’s. Removing that layer reveals the newer, smoother skin underneath.
Brighter complexion. Dull skin is almost always a buildup problem. Cleared skin reflects light differently. Most clients notice an immediate glow after their first treatment.
Better product absorption. Your serums and moisturizers can only do so much when there’s a layer of dead cells blocking the way. After dermaplaning, the same products you’re already using penetrate more effectively — meaning you get more out of your existing skincare routine without buying anything new.
Smoother makeup application. Foundation and tinted moisturizers sit differently on exfoliated skin. The “airbrush” effect people talk about after dermaplaning is real — your makeup has a smooth canvas instead of a textured one.
A complement to other treatments. At Uptown Haven, dermaplaning pairs especially well with our customized facials, the Glo2Facial, and our microdermabrasion treatment. Combining or alternating treatments is often how clients get the most consistent, long-term skin improvements.
Who Is Dermaplaning Best For?
Dermaplaning works well for most skin types, but it shines brightest for people with:
- Dull, dry, or uneven texture (very common here in Fargo during winter months)
- Visible peach fuzz that affects makeup application or skin tone evenness
- Mild surface hyperpigmentation or early signs of aging
- Sensitive skin that doesn’t tolerate chemical exfoliants well
It’s typically not recommended during active acne breakouts with inflamed lesions, during eczema flare-ups, or on skin with open wounds or infections. If you’re unsure whether dermaplaning is right for your skin, that’s exactly what a consultation at Uptown Haven is for — our estheticians will give you an honest answer and suggest the right treatment for where your skin is right now.
How Often Should You Get It?
Your skin naturally turns over new cells roughly every 4–6 weeks, which is also the natural rhythm for dermaplaning. Most clients who add it to their regular facial schedule come in every 4–6 weeks and notice a cumulative improvement in skin tone and texture over time — not just a one-time glow.
If you’re prepping for an event (a wedding, a reunion, a photoshoot), booking dermaplaning 3–5 days beforehand gives your skin enough time to settle and look its best without any residual redness.
The Bottom Line
Shaving your face and dermaplaning are not the same treatment. Shaving removes hair. Dermaplaning removes hair and exfoliates the skin — and it does it with professional-grade tools, trained technique, and proper pre- and post-care that changes what your skin can actually achieve.
If you’ve been on the fence about trying it, dermaplaning is one of the most immediately satisfying treatments we offer — and as a reasonable facial add-on or standalone treatment, it’s one of the most accessible ways to see a real, visible difference in your skin in a single appointment.
Ready to try it? Book your dermaplaning session or add-on at Uptown Haven in Fargo today — call-in and online booking available. We’d love to show you what your skin looks like when the dull stuff is out of the way!
Uptown Haven Wellness Professionals is located near Downtown Fargo at 1313 Northern Pacific Ave. We offer therapeutic massage, customized facials, body contouring, waxing, and more — Monday through Friday.
