will facial shaving for women ever take off?

what’s trending?
WILL FACIAL SHAVING FOR
WOMEN EVER TAKE OFF?
Everyone’s talking about ‘dermaplaning’. But will the
trend leave women buzzing for all the right reasons?
hile half of the world’s population thinks nothing of shaving
their faces on a daily basis, the other takes a much more
delicate approach to removing unwanted facial hair.
Choosing to opt for tweezers, depilatories or wax to rid
themselves of fuzz, women only conventionally reach for the razor
when it comes to their legs or armpits. But are they missing a trick?
A growing group of dermatologists and beauticians certainly
think so. Elizabeth Taylor is said to have been a fan of facial
shaving, as was historical beauty icon Cleopatra. And now, thanks
to the influence of bloggers, the idea has reached a wider audience.
Today, however, most shaving proponents would never endorse
using a regular razor on the face. Instead, there’s a new buzzword
on the street: ‘dermaplaning’ – a procedure that uses a gentler
blade and is designed to remove soft downy hairs. A growing
number of dermatologists now offer the procedure as part of their
facials, using a thin scalpel as a blade. They say it exfoliates,
removes dead skin cells and creates a smoother base for make-up
and the application of other products.
But for every dermaplaning enthusiast there is an opponent.
Many skin experts say the process is detrimental to skin health,
causing inflammation, sensitivity and even ingrown hairs. So who’s
coming out on top in the battle of the blade? CBN asks the experts...
W
OVER TO THE PANEL
“I first came across this technique in the US, where
it is practised in a widespread way by dermatologists,
and plastic surgeons. I have found this technique
alone and in combination with peels can have an
impressive effect when it comes to fine lines and
evenness. The mechanical stimulation of the skin
YES
seems to create a mild inflammatory effect that may
boost production of collagen and elastin in the dermis.”
Dr David Jack, Aesthetic Doctor
“Dermaplaning or facial shaving isn’t a new
technique – it’s always been a Hollywood secret but
now it’s making its way into the mainsteam. Men
tend to look much younger than women in general
and I think it’s because they have all been shaving
since they were in adolescence.Personally, I have
YES
been shaving for decades now and it has made
such a difference to my skin.”
Sara Stewart, Managing Director, Mad as a March Hare
“The danger is that – as with any craze – women will
try dermaplaning at home, with non-sterile
implements, too frequently, or worse, using a
standard men’s razor and shaving products. As men
can attest, shaving can cause cuts, ingrown hairs
and razor burn. Moreover, dermaplaning on the
NO
recommended fortnightly basis is not going to
replicate the ‘collagen-boosting’ benefits of a man's daily wet shave.”
Julia Wray, Editor, SPC magazine
Join the discussion: @cb_beautynews #whatstrending
13 July 2015 cosmetics business news 12