I’m in my 40s & tried viral face-shaving to see if it knocks years off…a pal called me Benjamin Button but I’ve 2 issues
IT’S half past seven on a Monday morning, the kids are wailing about misplaced homework and there’s a harassed parent in front of the bathroom mirror, razor in hand, battling to get ready for work.
Typical family scene, right?
Except the person shaving their face isn’t my husband — it’s me.
Before you assume I’m some secret werewolf, trying to shed evidence of last night’s full moon, I’d better explain.
For the past three years, I’ve been one of a growing breed of women who swear by the benefits of face-shaving — or dermaplaning, to give it its official title.
It promises glowing, softer and more youthful skin, perfectly primed to absorb your favourite lotions and potions.
Best of all, it is now very affordable.
What took off as a defuzzing-meets-exfoliating salon treatment in the Noughties is now booming at home, too, allowing women to shave off cost as well as facial fur.
You only have to take a quick scroll through social media to see face-shaving is not a niche activity for people with a bearded-lady fetish.
There are nearly three million Instagram posts about #Derma-planing, and more than 150,000 TikTok videos pulling in over four billion views.
Then there are the celebrity fans, such as Eva Mendes and Gwyneth Paltrow, who use it to amp up their A-list glow.
So it’s with all this buzz as background noise that I’ve found myself regularly brandishing a dermaplaner.
I wouldn’t describe myself as especially hairy, but like many women I’ve got a fair bit of facial peach-fuzz.
Which, I need to stress, is perfectly normal.
And if you prefer to leave your facial hair alone — however much nature has blessed you with — fair play.
Personally, though, I’ve never liked mine.
As an avid fake- tanner, I’d noticed my lady side-burns taking on a slightly orangey hue and, come to think of it, my foundation also had a slightly furry feel.
The first time I dermaplaned, I definitely felt a little trepidation — as I applied a standard skin oil, held the scalpel-like razor beneath my cheekbone and began to defuzz.
Within seconds, fur was flying.
Two, three little strokes and the blade was already coated with a surprisingly large amount of fluffy vellus.
I can’t deny, it was deeply satisfying. Immediately afterwards, my 40-something skin felt gorgeously smooth, and even more so after it slurped up my moisturiser.
The next day, my complexion seemed to have a fresh glow and my make-up floated on effort-lessly.
I felt fairly confident that my peach fuzz was far too fine to cause any prickly regrowth and my husband agreed my skin felt lovely — once he’d stopped chuckling at my latest beauty experiment.
Monthly regime
The clincher came when a friend asked me what I was using on my skin that day and, bless her, added: “You’re like Benjamin Button.”
Coincidence? Ego-stroking? Maybe, maybe not.
Dr Kemi Fabusiwa, an ambassador for the Venus Dermaplaner, says: “Done properly, derma-planing really does reveal a brighter, smoother complexion, by removing dead skin cells and peach fuzz.
“Imagine your skin without that layer of dullness and tiny hairs. It’s also going to help your skin-care products work better, meaning more bang for your buck.”
But before we get carried away, let’s circle back to those two key words, “done properly”.
While dermaplaning is now part of my monthly beauty regime, I’m aware it’s not without potential pitfalls.
In particular, remember these blades are sharp. I’m guilty of being careless once or twice and ending up with a little nick to show for it.
I’ve also seen a new viral trend on TikTok where influencers are adding a whole new layer, literally, to DIY dermaplaning.
As a pre-shave prep step, they are using “hair identifier” sprays, which coat the face with a white, botanical-based powder highlight-ing every fuzzy follicle for the ultimate shave. Ever the willing — and furry — human guinea-pig, I ordered a bottle for myself, which cost a fiver including razors.
Copying the ghostly effect I had seen online, I sprayed it liberally, creating a look that was somewhere between Christmas window-frosting and dandruff.
As the spray dried, my facial hairs stood out in a rather unflattering way and I began gently shaving away at the residue, dislodging the chalky, hairy dust.
Since I was filming this for Fabulous, I did go over some areas again in a way I wouldn’t usually — and I paid the price, with a couple of patches that became irritated.
My bad.
But I did think my skin felt quite dry after rinsing the spray off.
Yes, the facial hair was gone but, frankly, I have never had a problem identifying my peach fuzz.
Also, I just found the process rather messy and cumbersome.
Consultant dermatologist Dr Aamna Adel (@dermatologist_adel) agrees.
She says: “These products are just gimmicky.”
So, a hair-revealer spray may be eye-catching on TikTok but it’s not something I will be adding to my shaving regime.
HOW TO DO IT AT HOME
CLEANSE FIRST: Remove make-up, oil or dirt to reduce the risk of irritation and give the dermaplaner a smooth run.
Add something for “slip”.
“A foam, oil or cleanser softens hair for a closer shave and reduces irritation,” Dr Fabusiwa says.
TECHNIQUE IS KEY: “Always shave in the direction of hair growth,” says Dr Adel.
“Pull skin taut, work in short strokes and regularly wipe the residue off the blade with a pad.
“Switch razors every few shaves to reduce the risk of infection and razor burn.”
Afterwards, use a simple moisturiser.
PLAY SAFE: “I wouldn’t recommend dermaplaning for anyone with very active or inflammatory acne,” says Dr Adel.
“You’re likely to irritate the skin.
“Anyone with very sensitive, eczema or rosacea-prone skin should be cautious, as dermaplaning could lead to reactions.”