Acne takes various forms, from small bumps to painfully irritated cysts, and requires different treatment strategies. Though dermaplaning can improve skin texture and appearance, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution for acne.
Our team at Sasaki Advanced Aesthetic Medical Center in Pasadena, California, develops personalized treatment strategies for all your cosmetic concerns. We’re a multitiered practice led by triple board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gordon Sasaki.
We’re well-known for our commitment to comprehensive therapies that offer outstanding aesthetic results and high patient satisfaction. Read how dermaplaning works and when the Sasaki team might recommend it for acne.
Acne types include:
This type of acne includes blackheads and whiteheads that occur when hair follicles become clogged with sebum (skin oil) and dead skin cells. These bumps are close to the skin’s surface and not usually tender.
Comedonal acne can appear at any age but is most prevalent during adolescence. It tends to develop on the forehead and facial cheeks.
Inflammatory acne causes red, swollen, and tender pimples of varying sizes. This type of acne can include pustules, nodules, and large cysts that may develop on the face, neck, upper back, shoulders, and arms.
Notably, inflammatory acne can develop when blackheads or whiteheads are filled with bacteria and material that breaks through follicular walls and spreads into deeper skin layers.
This triggers the immune system to activate infection-fighting white blood cells, creating inflammation, redness, tenderness, and pus that develop with inflammatory acne.
Most individuals have a combination of inflammatory and noninflammatory acne, including blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, or nodules. Each type has unique triggers and responds differently to treatment.
Dermaplaning involves using a scalpel-like instrument to gently exfoliate the top skin layer, removing dead skin cells. It primarily focuses on creating a smoother skin texture.
The Sasaki team may also recommend dermaplaning to help remove pore-clogging skin debris that contributes to mild, non-inflammatory acne. However, we don’t typically recommend it as a standalone treatment.
Instead, we typically combine dermaplaning with other acne therapies and never recommend it if your skin is irritated, tender, or inflamed (i.e., due to inflammatory acne). In this case, dermaplaning can worsen acne and spread bacteria across the face.
Treatment options for acne include:
Salicylic acid exfoliates and unclogs pores, making it a great companion to dermaplaning for those with blackheads and whiteheads.
Retinoids promote cell turnover and can reduce the formation of comedones. A typical strategy for maintaining smoother skin may include using retinoids in the evenings and dermaplaning once a month.
Benzoyl peroxide is ideal for killing acne-causing bacteria, though it can be too harsh for sensitive skin.
Chemical peels with glycolic or salicylic acid penetrate deeper into the skin layers. They may offer a better result than dermaplaning and help reduce acne scarring. However, these treatments should never be used together.
Light therapy targets acne-causing bacteria and can reduce inflammation. This gentle treatment may be useful with dermaplaning since it does not involve skin exfoliation.
Topical solutions may not be enough for moderate to severe acne. Dr. Sasaki’s team may recommend oral antibiotics, hormonal treatments, or isotretinoin (Accutane).
If your concern is blackheads, our team may recommend professional extractions during a facial. When combined with dermaplaning, this often leads to clearer, smoother skin.
Schedule a visit at Sasaki Advanced Aesthetic Medical Center for comprehensive care that addresses your cosmetic concerns.
