Is dermaplaning safe during pregnancy?

What does the evidence say about dermaplaning during pregnancy?

1. A longitudinal study measuring skin barrier function (transepidermal water loss) throughout pregnancy found readings stayed within the normal range antenatally, with the authors concluding the small increase observed was unlikely to be clinically significant. 1
2. The same study found the more notable change happened postpartum, not during pregnancy itself: transepidermal water loss rose above normal limits by two months after delivery before returning to normal by six months. 1
3. Common physiological skin changes in pregnancy, hyperpigmentation like melasma and linea nigra, and stretch marks, typically reverse after delivery and reflect hormonal and vascular shifts rather than a weakened skin barrier. 2
4. How much of a topical product applied after a procedure like dermaplaning reaches the bloodstream depends on the concentration, the size of the area it's applied to, and how often it's used, so a retinoid or high-concentration acid applied right after exfoliation is a bigger consideration than the physical procedure itself. 3
5. Cosmetic procedures and products don't require FDA approval before use, and MotherToBaby recommends discussing any procedure you're considering, including facial procedures, directly with your healthcare provider. 4

Is dermaplaning safe in each trimester?

• First trimester. No dermaplaning-specific research exists at any point in pregnancy, but hormonal shifts in early pregnancy are what drive skin changes like melasma later on, so this is a reasonable time to keep your routine simple and confirm any post-dermaplaning serum or oil doesn't contain a retinoid.
• Second trimester. A study that tracked skin barrier function through pregnancy found it stayed within the normal range throughout gestation, which is reassuring for a physical, non-chemical procedure like dermaplaning during the second trimester.
• Third trimester. Common pregnancy skin changes like melasma and linea nigra can make skin look and feel different late in pregnancy, so mention any change in sensitivity to your provider or esthetician, though these changes are physiologic and typically fade postpartum rather than being caused by dermaplaning itself.