Preparation, and the skin you should turn away
Skin preparation for the best result and for client safety and comfort is one of the subjects on the dermaplaning course at ANNAZUR Academy, taught alongside tool handling and blade selection. Deciding when not to treat is part of it, and anything that looks medical belongs with a doctor.
The most valuable thing a dermaplaning course teaches is not a stroke. It is the sentence “not today”, said to a client who wants the treatment and should not have it.
Preparation is not just cleansing
The skin has to be properly cleansed and completely dry, because a blade on damp skin drags rather than glides. What the client has been using at home matters too — strong actives and recent exfoliation change what the skin can tolerate on the day.
Ask what they have used in the week before, not just what they use generally. The honest answer is often different from the first one.
Consultation is where the decisions happen
A proper intake covers recent treatments, skin conditions, medications and what the client is actually hoping for. Done properly it takes a few minutes and prevents nearly every bad outcome.
Written records matter too. If you have to explain a decision later, a documented consultation is the difference between a professional judgment and an argument.
When to reschedule
Active breakouts, open or broken skin, sunburn, fresh cosmetic work or recent strong chemical exfoliation are all reasons to move the appointment rather than work around them. A blade over inflamed or compromised skin spreads the problem and slows healing.
Rescheduling costs you one appointment. Treating skin that should not be treated costs considerably more.
Unsure where the line is on a particular client? Bring the case to the consultation — it is free.
When it is not your decision at all
Some skin conditions, some medications and anything that looks like an infection are matters for a doctor, not for a beauty professional. Your job is to recognize that line and stop at it, not to assess it.
Say it plainly to the client: this is outside what I can judge, please see your doctor, and come back afterwards. Almost everyone respects that more than they would respect being squeezed in.
Comfort is part of safety
A client who is tense moves, and movement next to a blade is the thing you are trying to avoid. Explain what you are about to do, work in short sections, and tell them what they will feel before they feel it.
Preparation, safety and comfort are taught together on the course for this reason, with questions answered directly by the instructor. Course details are on the course page.
Also in this series:
The short version.
- Dry and clean: a blade on damp skin drags instead of gliding.
- Ask about the week: recent actives and exfoliation change what skin tolerates.
- Reschedule: active breakouts, broken skin, sunburn, fresh work — move the appointment.
- Know the line: anything medical goes to a doctor, not to you.
- Write it down: a documented consultation protects your judgment later.
See the dermaplaning course, or book a free consultation with an instructor at the spa.
See the dermaplaning coursePreparation and safety. Questions answered plainly.
Can dermaplaning be done over active acne?
No. Active breakouts are a reason to reschedule rather than to work around.
How should the skin be prepared?
Thoroughly cleansed and completely dry, with recent home actives and exfoliation taken into account.
What should I ask at consultation?
Recent treatments, skin conditions, medications and what the client is hoping for — recorded in writing.
What if the client insists?
Explain why you are rescheduling. A professional who says no is the one they come back to.
When should a client see a doctor?
Any suspected infection or medical skin condition. That assessment is not yours to make.
Is preparation covered in the course?
Yes, it is one of the taught subjects alongside tool handling and blade selection.
