If you have wondered what is a dermaplaning facial, the short answer is that it is a manual exfoliation treatment where a licensed esthetician uses a sterile surgical-grade blade to gently sweep away dead skin cells and fine facial hair, leaving skin smoother, brighter, and better prepped to absorb products. No chemicals, heat, or numbing are involved, which is part of why so many people in the Salt Lake Valley are curious about it.
Key Takeaways
- A dermaplaning facial combines manual blade exfoliation with a traditional facial to remove dead skin and vellus "peach fuzz" hair.
- It is generally quick, comfortable, and requires little to no downtime for most people.
- Typical standalone pricing runs about $75 to $200, varying by provider experience, session length, and add-ons.
- Yes, dermaplaning and a facial can be done together, and pairing is common.
- Always confirm your provider is licensed and discuss active acne or skin conditions first.
What Is a Dermaplaning Facial, Exactly?
A dermaplaning facial is a facial treatment built around one core technique: physical exfoliation using a blade. To understand what is a dermaplaning facial in practice, picture a standard cleanse-and-treat facial, but with an added step where the practitioner holds a 10-gauge scalpel at a shallow angle against clean, dry skin and glides it in short, feathering strokes.
That motion lifts away the outermost layer of dead skin cells along with vellus hair, the fine "peach fuzz" many of us have on our cheeks, jawline, and forehead. The result is an immediately smoother surface and a brighter appearance, since dull dead cells no longer scatter light.
So when readers ask what is dermaplaning facial versus facial dermaplaning, the terms describe the same thing: a facial that incorporates blade-based exfoliation. A facial with dermaplaning simply means the exfoliation step has been added into a broader facial protocol.
What a facial with dermaplaning typically includes
- Cleanse: Makeup and oil are removed so the skin is completely clean and dry.
- Dermaplaning: The blade work itself, usually 15 to 30 minutes depending on coverage.
- Treatment step: A mask, serum, or gentle peel applied to freshly exfoliated skin.
- Finish: Moisturizer and, critically, sun protection.
Is a Dermaplaning Facial Actually Good for Your Face?
For most healthy skin types, dermaplaning is a well-tolerated exfoliation option. People commonly report smoother texture, a temporary reduction in the look of fine lines from surface dryness, easier makeup application, and better penetration of skincare products afterward. Because it removes vellus hair, foundation tends to sit more evenly.
A few honest points to set expectations:
- The hair grows back at the same texture it was before. Dermaplaning does not make it grow back thicker or darker; that is a persistent myth.
- Results are gradual and cumulative. Skin looks freshest in the days right after, and many people repeat the treatment every three to four weeks in line with the skin's natural cell turnover.
- It is a surface treatment. It will not lift deep wrinkles or replace clinical anti aging facial Utah options like microcurrent toning.
Who should be cautious
Dermaplaning is generally not recommended over active, inflamed acne breakouts, pustular rosacea flares, cold sores, or open lesions, because the blade can aggravate them. If you have very reactive skin or a condition you are unsure about, this is exactly the kind of question to raise with a licensed provider before booking.

Can You Do Dermaplaning and a Facial Together?
Yes. In fact, that is the most common way it is offered. Dermaplaning is rarely a standalone procedure; it is usually folded into a facial so the freshly exfoliated skin can benefit from a mask, serum, or light peel in the same visit. Combining the two is efficient and often produces a more noticeable glow than either step alone.
Some providers pair dermaplaning with a HydraFacial-style treatment or a gentle chemical peel. When bundled this way, expect the session to run longer and cost more than blade exfoliation on its own.
What Is a Microdermabrasion Facial, and How Is It Different?
Readers researching dermaplaning almost always end up asking what is a microdermabrasion facial too, since they overlap. Here is the distinction: microdermabrasion is a machine-based exfoliation. What is microdermabrasion facial in practice means a handheld device either sprays fine crystals or uses a diamond-tip wand while gently vacuuming away dead skin. So while dermaplaning uses a blade to shave the surface, microdermabrasion buffs and suctions it.
Both are surface exfoliation methods with minimal downtime. Dermaplaning also removes facial hair, which microdermabrasion does not. If you are deciding where to get microdermabrasion versus dermaplaning, the choice often comes down to whether hair removal matters to you and how your skin responds to manual versus mechanical exfoliation.
What to Expect Before, During, and After a Dermaplaning Facial
Now that you know what is a dermaplaning facial in principle, it helps to walk through the actual appointment so there are no surprises on the day.
Before
Arrive with clean skin if possible. Avoid retinoids, exfoliating acids, and waxing for several days beforehand, since they can leave skin more sensitive. Tell your esthetician about any active breakouts, medications, or recent procedures.
During
You lie back while the practitioner cleanses and dries your skin, then performs the feathering strokes. Most people describe the sensation as a light scratching or the feel of a soft eraser; it is not typically painful. A full facial with dermaplaning usually takes 45 to 60 minutes, which fits neatly into what people search for as 60 minute facials near me. Bundled sessions can push toward the 90 minute facials near me range.
After
Downtime is minimal for most people, often zero to one day. Skin may look slightly pink for a few hours. Because the protective surface layer has been buffed away, your skin is more vulnerable to UV, so daily sunscreen is non-negotiable. Skip harsh actives, hot yoga, and heavy sweating for a day or two, and let the fresh glow do its thing.
How Much Does a Dermaplaning Facial Cost?
Pricing depends far more on the provider and format than on the treatment name. As general, commonly seen U.S. ranges, treat these as starting points rather than fixed quotes:
- Dermaplaning Facial: about $75 to $200 standalone, higher when paired with a peel or advanced treatment.
- Classic Facial: roughly $60 to $120 for a 45 to 60 minute session.
- Microdermabrasion Facial: around $75 to $150, depending on crystal versus diamond-tip equipment.
- Acne Treatment Facial: often $75 to $150, reflecting extractions and targeted add-ons.
- Non-Surgical Facelift Facial: typically $100 to $250+, since microcurrent devices and longer sessions cost more.
- Men's Facial: usually $60 to $130.
Why the spread? Provider experience and licensing, the product lines used, session length, whether add-ons like LED therapy are included, and whether you are at a day spa versus a medical spa all move the number.
How to Choose a Qualified Dermaplaning Provider in Murray
Because a blade is involved, provider skill matters. Look for a licensed esthetician (or a nurse or dermatologist in medical settings), sterile single-use blades, a clear intake conversation about your skin, and honest expectation-setting rather than guarantees.
Murray sits in the center of the Salt Lake Valley, pulling clients from Salt Lake City, Millcreek, Taylorsville, Midvale, and beyond, and the area is comfortable with clinical-adjacent beauty services. That makes it a strong place to find providers experienced in dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, and related treatments.
One well-rounded local option is Lumiere Beauty & Spa in Murray, which offers advanced facials guided by AI skin analysis in a calm setting. Their Dermaplaning Facial is a natural fit if you want smoother, brighter skin, and if mechanical exfoliation appeals more, their Microdermabrasion Facial is a comparable alternative.

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Book a Visit at Lumiere Beauty & SpaNext Steps
If you are still weighing what is a dermaplaning facial against other options, start by identifying your goal: smoother texture and hair removal point toward dermaplaning, while deeper resurfacing might steer you toward microdermabrasion or a series of treatments. Book a consultation, disclose any active skin conditions or medications, and ask what is included so you can compare pricing fairly. Commit to daily sunscreen afterward, space treatments about a month apart to match your skin's renewal cycle, and remember that this information is educational rather than medical advice; a licensed provider can tell you what genuinely suits your skin.







