If someone told you that shaving your face was the key to smoother, more youthful-looking skin, would you grab your 3-blade? This practice — called dermaplaning — has been in place for ages (Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe are rumored to have done it). It's a process where you run a razor blade along the skin in short, controlled movements to remove vellus (or peach fuzz) and dead skin cells. The exfoliation helps your skin to look more even-toned and allows skincare products like your facial moisturizer to penetrate deeper and your complexion products like makeup or foundation to sit better on the skin.
Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD notes that the upkeep is quite frequent: "Most people need monthly treatments (sometimes more or less often depending on rate of hair growth)," she explains. While it's safest to have this treatment done by a professional, with a bit of practice, you can reap the benefits of dermaplaning at home. Nazarian notes that the tool used in-office is essentially identical to those you can purchase in stores — just be sure you are properly sterilizing the blade between uses.
Our testers tried out some of the best dermaplaning tools available, looking at comfort (and safety!), ease of use, and how effective they were at removing hair and exfoliating skin.
Below, we're sharing our favorites.
Extremely sharp
Not great for beginners
Earning a perfect score in ease-of-use, post-treatment skin results, and overall performance, the Tweezerman Facial Razor passed our tests with flying colors. Our testers loved how easily it maneuvered around their faces. One said, "The actual weight of the product felt very professional and smooth. The grip was perfect."
While it is an incredibly sharp razor (beginners beware), the blade seamlessly glided over our tester's face, removing dead skin painlessly and leaving her skin smooth to the touch. As someone with sensitive and acne-prone skin, our tester appreciated that this razor didn't cause any discomfort or irritation, though she did note some redness on the untouched side of her face after use.
The Tweezerman razor is compact, made with a durable and rust-resistant stainless steel blade, and is affordably-priced. We love this razor for regular facial touch ups, which should happen every four to six weeks, according to skin experts.
Blade Material: Stainless Steel | Safety Features: Safety cap for storage | Uses: Removes peach fuzz, dead skin | Replacement Blades Included: Yes
Budget-friendly
Has a solid grip
Blade is a little dull
Our tester compared this dermaplaning tool to a pocket knife because it folds up when you're not using it to keep the blade concealed. As a dermaplaning newbie, she was a little nervous, but appreciated how strong the grip was. "This was an easy tool to use, considering it was my first time," she said, adding that it was "easy to move up and down [her] cheeks."
Made from a lightweight plastic, this tool is designed with a shape that's easy to hold in your hand. "It didn't slip at all or cause other issues," our tester noted.
She observed some redness after treatment in her jawbone area, but was pleasantly surprised with how easy this tool maneuvered over her acne scars. This blade is also slightly duller than others on our list, so while it helps with safety, it also might take a few more passes across your face, which could contribute to post-treatment redness.
That being said, it creates a smooth texture on your skin, comes with two additional razors, and sells at an affordable price.
Blade Material: N/A | Safety Features: Collapsible safety handle | Uses: Removes dead skin and peach fuzz, brow shaping | Replacement Blades Included: Yes
Bring the spa home to you with the Dermaflash Luxe Device. Though it certainly isn't a budget-friendly option, the results may be worth the investment. This set comes with the tool and two skin products — a pre-treatment cleanser and post-treatment moisturizer. The tool uses proprietary sonic technology to safely and gently remove peach fuzz by quickly vibrating to get as close to the root as possible. And if you're worried about nicks, it comes with a "Microfine Edge" to guard and protect the skin.
Our tester loved the thickness of this rechargeable machine, and said it "allowed for a nice grip and comfort while swiping." Her skin felt the "softest it's ever been" after using this tool, and that was before applying the moisturizer.
She didn't love the price, and considering the added cost of replacement blades, this tool is rather expensive. But our tester conceded, "I can't rate it low because it did its job the best out of all the ones I've used before."
Blade Material: Stainless Steel | Safety Features: Blade is concealed when not in use | Uses: Removes peach fuzz, dead skin, smooths skin texture | Replacement Blades Included: Yes
Ergonomic design
Easy to grip
Extremely sharp
Beloved for its feel and ergonomic design, this razor has a little finger divot on the side that makes it perfect for gripping. Our tester dermaplaned her left cheek, chin, and the side of her forehead and boasted about how easy and effective this razor was to use. "It left my skin with a smooth, glowing finish," she said, adding how much of a feat that is due to her sensitive skin.
Though this razor is very sharp, it never irritated our tester's skin, even on dry patches. The sharpness also allows for a closer shave which makes this razor ideal for removing peach fuzz and other fine hair.
Final thoughts? We love the user-friendly design here and our tester did too. "I would 100% buy this product," she said. "It's sleek-looking, effective, and easy to use. It's also an excellent value—you get the tool as well as three replacement blades and a durable plastic carrying case."
Blade Material: Stainless Steel | Safety Features: Safety covers | Uses: Removes peach fuzz | Replacement Blades Included: Yes
If your brows need a little grooming, this eyebrow razor can trim them into shape in no time. "All you had to do was uncover the blade and start swiping," our tester joked—which is a good thing, because the instructions left much to be desired.
She loved this razor's ability to remove the peach fuzz off of her face, but noticed more of a textural change rather than visual. Specifically, she was pleased at how well it shaped her arches: "For eyebrows, it's amazing," she said, noting how precise it was at removing thick hairs.
Despite the poor instructions, there wasn't much to dislike. "I would buy this and use it again in a heartbeat," our tester said.
Blade Material: Stainless Steel | Safety Features: Plastic cap for storage | Uses: Removes peach fuzz and dead skin; exfoliates | Replacement Blades Included: Yes
A beauty tool should be functional and well-designed, and this pick from Stacked Skincare meets both criteria. "This product is pretty lightweight but easy to hold and position along the face," said one of our testers. They used the tool along the right side of their face — forehead, cheek, and chin.
Showing immediate results, this tool was effective at exfoliation and hair removal, though it did cause some redness and irritation. "It left my skin feeling even-textured and soft," noted our tester. There is also a plastic tip at the top of the blade to prevent stray nicks (a bonus for users of all levels).
Though functional, it was the tool's appearance that ultimately won over our testers. "It would look beautiful on any vanity and deliver beautiful results," one said.
Blade Material: Stainless steel | Safety Features: Comfort handle, snap design for easy blade replacement, plastic safety tip | Uses: Exfoliation, hair removal | Replacement Blades Included: No
Comfortable handle
Safety features
Easy to use
Caused slight irritation
If you want to give dermaplaning a try, this is a great tool to start with. Our tester described the Skinny Confidential razor as "easy to use" and said it "did not hurt at all." The small and thin tool is a good size to hold and comes with refillable blades so you can swap them out when the blade starts to dull.
The tester did note that the razor has a slightly jagged edge which caused mild irritation on their dry and dehydrated skin. "It's probably better for normal to oily skin types," our tester observed. They said they would recommend this tool for first-timers because the blade isn't as sharp as other options.
It includes safety features like a plastic storage case and a finger divot for better control. That said, you should still be cautious when using it — our tester noted she nicked her face slightly when moving the tool too quickly.
Blade Material: N/A | Safety Features: Plastic case, finger divot for control | Uses: Removes peach fuzz, smooths skin texture | Replacement Blades Included: Yes
Causes mild irritation
This razor is most friendly to those experienced in dermaplaning — as our tester said, "this tool is built for someone who knows what they are doing." Given the angle and sharpness of the blade, our team thinks this razor is perfect for eyebrows and the smaller areas of the face like the chin or upper lip.
The base of the razor is made from a biodegradable material, so it's encouraged to detach the blade from the base in order to recycle the majority of the tool. And this particular set comes with six tools so when you've used one up, you have five more in stock before needing to buy more.
Our tester was pleased with the overall performance, and said that although it created a touch of redness along their jawline, this tool removed "all peach fuzz and hair."
Blade Material: Stainless Steel | Safety Features: Protective cover, anti-slip grip | Uses: Exfoliation, hair removal | Replacement Blades Included: No
Blade has a good weight
Clear instructions
No noticeable irritation
This dermaplaning tool has a simple design that's easy to use. Our tester felt the weight of the blade (which is mostly covered for safety) created a sense of control when moving across the skin. Plus, it was user-friendly from the start. "I liked the clear instructions on the box," the tester said.
However, they noted that since they have small hands, the wand felt rather bulky, and the blade's length made it tricky to use across the cheekbones. The long blade is designed to create a close exfoliation, removing any excess skin cells for a smooth surface (so it might work better across the smoother parts of one's cheeks and forehead instead).
Our tester was happy with the overall performance, noting that their skin was "not too red" after treatment and felt very smooth. "My skin does not feel irritated, just exfoliated," they said.
Blade Material: Stainless steel | Safety Features: Mostly enclosed blade, slip-free grip | Uses: hair and peach fuzz removal, exfoliation | Replacement Blades Included: No
Sensitive, acneic, and rosacea-prone skin may not be the best candidates for dermaplaning. "Avoid areas of active inflammation for those with acne or rosacea, and remember to always moisturize afterwards to keep skin healthy and strong; the blade can be somewhat irritating to sensitive skin," Dr. Nazarian warns.
Dermaplaning in itself is an exfoliation procedure, so you shouldn't do supplemental exfoliation before or after treatment. If you regularly use exfoliation or acidic skincare products, Marissa Perman, MD suggests pausing your routine leading up to your dermaplaning session. She also says to be mindful of what products you use after dermaplaning because your skin will absorb them better.
You're dealing with a sharp blade, so you'll want a tool with a solid grip so you can hold it steadily as it glides across your skin. Plastic and silicone materials are ideal, as are tools with a thicker base for gripping.
Try to find a tool with a surgical-grade, stainless steel blade. Not only is it easy to clean, rust-resistant, and generally more hygienic than other metals, it's highly durable, meaning you won't have to replace it as often.
Whether you're a pro or novice, using a dermaplaning tool requires important safety measures. If you're a beginner, you might consider a tool with a wider base, or a concealed blade to avoid injury. For more confident or experienced users, a thinner or more exposed blade works well to get fine hairs.
Eight testers created side-by-side comparisons of 15 top-rated dermaplaning tools to see which ranked best in comfort, ease of use, grip, and performance. Our testers dermaplaned their left cheeks, carefully following the manufacturer's instructions so as not to cause injury. They considered how easy the tools were to maneuver and whether it was suitable for a beginner. Using their untouched right cheek as comparison, they also determined how well the tool worked, evaluating the smoothness of their skin and level of exfoliation.
No, this is a myth. Dermaplaning is a non-invasive exfoliation treatment and does not affect the thickness or color of your hair. However, because fresh hair growth has not thinned out or worn down yet over time as grown-out hair does, you may initially feel as though the hair is "thicker" as it begins to grow back.
Dermaplaning should be done on a freshly cleansed, dry face. Applying oils or gels can interfere with the tool's ability to exfoliate properly.
After dermaplaning, avoid direct sun exposure and extreme heat, do not use scrubs or exfoliants, and stay away from chlorine and swimming pools as all of these things can irritate the area.
Dermaplaning is a combination of shaving and exfoliating. In addition to removing the soft vellus hairs on your face, dermaplaning also removes dead skin cells to even the texture of your skin.
The best angle for dermaplaning is a 45-degree angle.
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