Dermaplaning Facial Aftercare: What to Do in the First 72 Hours (Skincare)
By Glow Skin Care | July 17, 2026
Downtown Santa Rosa, near the Railroad Square historic district | +17075297086
The most important rule after our 90-minute Dermaplaning Facial is simple: keep your skin calm and protected. You just had a thorough double cleanse, mechanical exfoliation, dermaplaning, and detailed extractions, so your skin is freshly polished and a little more reactive than usual.
In the first 72 hours, stick to a mild non-foaming cleanser, skip active ingredients (retinol, AHAs/BHAs, strong vitamin C), avoid heavy makeup for 24 hours, keep sweating and sun exposure low, and wear a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every morning. Santa Rosa sun can be intense, and that matters a lot right now.
Your first 24 to 48 hours after dermaplaning: do this, skip that
Your skin tends to look extra smooth and bright right away. Protect that result by treating your face like it just had a reset. Gentle is the whole theme.
Same day checklist
- Cleanse lightly with a mild, non-foaming cleanser and lukewarm water. No washcloth scrubbing.
- Moisturize with a fragrance-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer.
- SPF 30+ the next morning (and earlier if you’re outside). Reapply if you’re outdoors.
- Hands off. No picking at little bumps after extractions.
Makeup is the big question. We recommend waiting at least 24 hours before heavier makeup, especially full-coverage foundations. If you really need something, keep it minimal and clean, then remove it gently that night.
Sweat and heat can sting right after dermaplaning and extractions. Give it 24 to 48 hours before strenuous exercise, saunas, or hot yoga. If you’re visiting Downtown Santa Rosa or Railroad Square after your appointment, plan a low-key day and bring sunscreen with you.
Days 3 to 7: keep the glow, avoid the sneaky irritants
Most people do great by day three, but this is where people accidentally undo their results. The top culprits are sun, “just one scrub, ” and restarting actives too fast.
Santa Rosa note: July heat and our bright afternoons can sneak up on you. Protect your fresh skin with SPF 30+ daily, reapply when you’re outdoors, and add a hat when you can.
What to avoid for the first week
- Abrasive scrubs, cleansing brushes, and gritty exfoliants.
- Waxing and stronger peels. Let your skin settle first.
- Long hot showers directly on the face, steam rooms, and anything that leaves you flushed.
- Chlorinated pools and hot tubs for 72 hours. They can dry and irritate freshly exfoliated skin.
If wildfire smoke rolls in, keep your routine simple and protective. Smoke and poor air quality can make skin feel tight or reactive. On those days, we usually recommend staying indoors when advisories are up, cleansing gently at night, and sticking with barrier-friendly hydration.
A simple 72-hour skincare routine we actually like
After dermaplaning, you don’t need a complicated routine. You need the right basics, used consistently. If you’re commuting in from Windsor, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, Sonoma, or Petaluma, this is easy to follow in a travel bag too.
AM (Days 1 to 3)
Rinse or cleanse gently, moisturize, then broad-spectrum SPF 30+. If you’re outside, reapply. No skipping.
PM (Days 1 to 3)
Gentle cleanser, then a fragrance-free moisturizer. Hydrating ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid tend to feel great.
If your skin feels calm by 48 to 72 hours, a soothing serum can be a nice add-on. Something like niacinamide is often tolerated, but don’t force it. If you’re still pink or stingy, keep it basic for a little longer.
When to restart retinol, acids, and vitamin C after dermaplaning
We know the temptation. Your skin feels so smooth that you want to “keep it going” with actives. Give it at least 72 hours first.
- Retinol: Wait 72 hours, then restart slowly. One night the first week is usually enough to test how you do.
- AHA/BHA (glycolic, lactic, salicylic): Wait 72 hours minimum. If you’re prone to sensitivity, wait longer.
- Vitamin C: Strong formulas can tingle. If you’re not 100% calm, hold off and bring it back gradually.
If you’re building a longer-term plan for texture and tone, you might like our guide on the benefits of a dermaplaning facial for peach fuzz. It’s the same treatment, just focused on the “why” behind it.
What’s normal after a Dermaplaning Facial, and when you should reach out
A little pinkness, mild tightness, or sensitivity can happen, especially if we did extractions. Most people settle quickly, often within a day or two. If your skin is feeling calm and hydrated, you’re on track.
“I had the best facial experience this morning with Leah! From start to finish, she made me feel so comfortable and taken care of. She also shared so many helpful tips and advice that I can actually use in my daily routine.”
one of our regulars
Reach out to our team if you’re getting increasing redness after day two, swelling, a rashy reaction, or stinging that doesn’t calm down with gentle cleansing and moisturizer. If you’re unsure, that’s enough reason to ask. We’d rather you check in than guess.
If you’re planning your next visit around work, a weekend in wine country, or a quick stop in Downtown Santa Rosa, dermaplaning is usually an easy one to fit in. And if you want help pairing it with other texture-focused services over time, that’s the kind of long-term skin planning our clients stick with us for.
Want us to sanity-check your post-facial routine?
Send us what you’re using and what you want to restart first. We’ll tell you what to hold, what to keep, and what to bring back slowly.
858 2ND St., Santa Rosa, CA 95404 | +17075297086 | umakemeglow@gmail.com
Dermaplaning aftercare FAQs we hear every week
How soon can I wear makeup after a Dermaplaning Facial?
Give it at least 24 hours before heavier makeup. If you need something sooner, keep it minimal and remove it gently that night. The goal is to keep pores clear after extractions and avoid irritation on freshly exfoliated skin.
Can I exercise after dermaplaning and when is it safe to sweat?
We recommend waiting 24 to 48 hours before strenuous workouts. Sweat, heat, and friction can trigger stinging and redness right after dermaplaning. Light walking is usually fine the same day.
How long does redness or sensitivity last after dermaplaning?
A little pinkness or sensitivity can happen, especially if we did extractions. It often settles within 24 to 48 hours. If redness is getting worse after day two or you feel unusually reactive, reach out and we’ll help you adjust what you’re using.
When can I use retinol or chemical exfoliants again after dermaplaning?
Wait at least 72 hours before retinol, AHAs, or BHAs. Then restart slowly, especially if you’re sensitive. If you still have redness or stinging at 72 hours, hold off a bit longer and keep focusing on hydration and barrier support.
Is it safe to go swimming or use a hot tub after a dermaplaning facial?
Hold off for 72 hours. Chlorine and hot water can dry and irritate freshly exfoliated skin. If you’re heading out for a weekend in Sonoma County, plan swimming for later in the trip and keep SPF on deck from day one.