First Dermaplaning and Facial: What to Expect & How to Prepare

One of the biggest things we hear is that you want smooth, glowy skin, but you also want to feel safe and comfortable, especially if your skin is sensitive. A long-time lash client put it perfectly: she trusts Birdie to be cautious with products and to make sure nothing is irritating her skin. If you’re nervous for your first dermaplane facial, that’s completely normal. The good news is that dermaplaning and facial services are usually very straightforward, gentle, and low-downtime.

Here’s what we’ll walk through: how to prep (so we don’t accidentally over-exfoliate you), what happens during our $149 Dermaplane Facial, what you’ll feel during the blade work, and simple aftercare that helps your results last through Barnesville’s strong summer sun.

Prep for a dermaplane facial: 7 things we want you to do first

We take our time here. People tell us Birdie listens, assesses what’s going on, and explains what she’s doing and why. That starts before you even get on the table.

• Pause retinoids and strong acids (think retinol, tretinoin, glycolic, salicylic) for about 3 to 7 days beforehand. This keeps your skin barrier calm so dermaplaning stays gentle.
• Skip at-home scrubs and rough exfoliating brushes for a few days. Dermaplaning already does the exfoliation.
• Avoid tanning or sunburn. If your face is pink or tender from the sun, let us know and we’ll reschedule. Barnesville summers are no joke.
• Come with clean skin if you can. No makeup is best. If you show up with makeup on, it’s fine, we do a double cleanse anyway.
• Tell us what you’re using at home. Prescription acne meds, medicated creams, recent peels, and even new products matter.
• Postpone if you’ve got active cold sores, open areas, or angry cystic breakouts. We can still help your skin, but dermaplaning isn’t the move on those spots that day.
• If you’ve used isotretinoin (Accutane) recently, ask us before booking. We’ll talk timing and pick the safest option for your skin.

Inside our 80-minute Dermaplane Facial in Downtown Barnesville

If you’re picturing something intense, take a breath. Dermaplaning is a gentle manual exfoliation that removes dead skin and fine vellus hair, that soft “peach fuzz, ” so your face feels immediately smoother. Most people feel little to no pain. Mild redness for a few hours can happen, especially if you flush easily, but there’s typically no real downtime.

When you arrive, we start with a quick skin plan

Our space is right in downtown Barnesville near 2nd Ave SW and Main Street, so it’s easy to pop in without turning the day into a whole production. We’ll talk through what you want and what your skin’s been doing lately. People mention that Birdie “discusses a plan” and checks in to make sure you’re comfortable. That’s exactly how we work.

Double cleanse, then dermaplane exfoliation

We start with a thorough double cleanse so the blade work stays clean and controlled. Then we do the dermaplaning with precise, light strokes. You’ll usually feel a soft scraping sensation, kind of like a gentle brushing. It shouldn’t feel sharp or scary. If anything feels irritating, we want you to tell us in the moment. One sensitive-skin client said she trusts Birdie to be cautious with products, and we carry that same careful energy into the dermaplaning step too.

"She always makes sure you are comfortable and that nothing is irritating your skin."

one of our long-time clients

Enzyme exfoliation, facial massage, mask, plus hand and arm massage

After dermaplaning, we follow with an enzyme exfoliation to keep the glow going without getting aggressive. Then you’ll get facial massage, a customized mask, and yes, we include hand and arm massage too. People regularly tell us time flies during their appointments, and some even fall asleep. That’s the vibe we’re going for. You’re here to get results, but you’re also here to breathe.

Finishing products and SPF

We finish with products that match your skin’s needs that day and a layer of sunscreen. Dermaplaning leaves your skin extra smooth, which means it’s also extra ready to soak up sun. SPF is how you keep that fresh texture for weeks, especially if you’re outside a lot for work or summer weekends around the Fargo-Moorhead area.

After dermaplaning: the first 72 hours that protect your glow

Right after your dermaplane facial, your skin usually feels very smooth and looks brighter. You might be a little pink for a few hours. That’s normal. What we don’t want is you going home and hitting your face with every active in your cabinet.

• Sunscreen every morning, broad-spectrum, and reapply if you’re outside. This is the difference between “glow for weeks” and “why do I look dry again?”
• Use gentle hydrators. Think calming moisturizer and hydrating serums.
• Avoid exfoliating acids and retinoids for 72 hours. Dermaplaning already did the exfoliation piece.
• Skip waxing for at least 72 hours on the areas we treated.
• Hold off on heavy sweating and saunas for 24 to 48 hours if your skin tends to get easily irritated.

How long do results last? A lot of people love how their skin feels for a few weeks, and many choose to come in regularly. If you’re traveling in from Hawley, Ulen, Glyndon, Dilworth, or Moorhead, we’ll help you pick a schedule that makes sense with real life.

Two insider tips for first-timers (especially our “low maintenance” people)

Tip one: don’t tough it out. If you feel a sting or you’re not sure about a product, speak up. People come back to us because Birdie is attentive and checks in, and we actually want that back-and-forth during your facial.

Tip two: plan your sunscreen like you plan your coffee. Barnesville sun plus fresh exfoliation can wipe out your results fast if you skip SPF. If you do outdoor work, farm work, or you’re constantly in and out of the truck, we’ll talk through a realistic sunscreen option you’ll actually use.

"Just when I think she is finished she does more and those 90 minutes fly by. I have even fallen asleep during my sessions."

one of our regulars

Looking around? You can also browse our work in the gallery or review all services at Blue Birdie Beauty.