Dermaplaning is a fantastic way to remove dead skin cells and help smooth the overall look of your client’s skin. However, before you do any treatment, you must collect and distribute a lot of information. Doing this allows for the best possible outcome and ensures that a fully informed client can consent to the treatment. It would be best to have every dermaplaning client sign a dermaplaning consent form before treatment.
Fortunately, while some clients may be intimidated by the use of a scalpel on their skin’s surface, this procedure is incredibly low-risk and usually painless. Some clients may do this after a chemical peel, which can increase discomfort, but beyond that and basic cleansers; there aren’t many significant concerns, making this type of treatment one of the most accessible for anyone who wants clearer, more beautiful skin.
Why Dermaplaning Consent Form is Important?
A dermaplaning consent form is important because it is a legal document showing the agreement between a client and an esthetician for dermaplaning services. While signing this form, the client must provide details like their consent and should be asked to include contact information, allergies, and data on preexisting skin-related concerns. The esthetician provides complete information about the treatment, its benefits, side effects, and possible risks. Doing this allows the esthetician to provide a safer service and shows that the client understands and requests that service.
Essential Elements of a Dermaplaning Consent Form
A dermaplaning consent form is relatively straightforward and easy to understand. Because there are so few risks and not many skin conditions that interfere, this is one of the quickest skincare consent forms to create. Below we have provided an outline of everything you may need or want to include on your form and where it goes on the page.
- (Optional) Logo or Business Name- This is always an excellent way to begin a professional form.
- Title- This should say something to the effect of “Aesthetic Dermaplaning Consent Form.” Its purpose is to show what the form is intended for at a glance.
- The Date
- Name- The Client’s Full Legal Name
- (Optional) Secondary Client Information- Client birthdate and contact information belong here.
- (Optional for the top or bottom of this form) Reference Information- Asking questions about how the client found your business or who referred them can help you better understand where your marketing efforts are most effective.
- (Optional) Medical Questions- This is recommended for client intake but not necessarily required for this procedure. Refer to your licensing board and current best practices for more information on this section—medical history, including relevant questions about medications, facial procedures, and any damage or surgeries.
- Allergies- Ask if the client has known allergies to metals or the cleansing products you use.
- Questions- You may want to ask about the clients’ skincare and skincare concerns, including products they use and whether they have recently had a chemical peel.
- Statements of Acknowledgment- These show that the client understands your practices and the risks and that they have read everything and consent to the treatment. Additionally, these statements, which can be checkboxes, or initialed, should explain any discomfort risks and show that the client has had an opportunity to ask questions.
- (Optional) Comfort and Accessibility- You may also want to ask the client to wear comfortable clothing, see what sort of music they find soothing, or query them about any accessibility items or accommodations they need, like a step stool to reach a tall seat, or a wider door to accommodate a wheelchair or other mobility aids. While this isn’t required, it is becoming more commonplace and is considered courteous.
- Notes- Add information about post-dermaplaning face care and possible temporary (typical) irritation.
- Signature Line- This is a simple space to type the name, collect a handwritten signature and add the date it was signed.
Benefits and Risks of Dermaplaning
All skin treatments have two sides. First and most commonly, dermaplaning and other procedures help your clients’ skin feel better and look much nicer. Secondly, there are a few risks and side effects when dealing with skincare. While these are typically nothing to be concerned about, you still need to offer your clientele information on these aspects and alternative treatment options.
Benefits
Many dermatologists recommend Dermaplaning. This practice helps exfoliate the skin better than an over-the-counter scrub or face mask. Here are a few more reasons why dermaplaning is an outstanding form of skincare for most people.
- Temporary Hair Removal- Like shaving, dermaplaning can temporarily remove facial hair.
- Reveals New Skin- By removing a layer of dead and damaged cells, the natural beauty of the skin beneath can show.
- Fewer Wrinkles- Although dermaplaning isn’t a permanent wrinkle remover, it can minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles, so you see fewer wrinkles and less-deep wrinkles. Dead skin cells contribute substantially to the appearance of these, and removing those cells can be surprisingly effective at minimizing their appearance.
- Reduces Acne Scars- Much like wrinkles, acne scars tend to be a place where dead skin cells collect. As a result, removing those cells can help reduce the look of acne scars.
- Minimizes Dark Spots- Many dark spots on our skin come from collections of dead skin cells as well. While dermaplaning should never remove a freckle or mole, it can certainly help even out your skin tone if you have dark spots.
- Creates Increased Cell Turnover- Cellular regeneration rates vary from person to persona and change over time. However, dermaplaning gets all the old, dead cells out of the way, which clears the path for fresh, new cells to form better and faster.
Risks
The risks of dermaplaning are relatively minimal, but there are always some possible adverse outcomes. Here are the most common problems you could encounter. As skincare treatments go, the chances of serious issues are negligible if the client has provided current, complete information about their skincare routine and relevant health conditions.
- You can get cut if you move unexpectedly.
- Dermaplaning is not going to ‘fix everything’ or have an effect on deeper layers of skin.
- There is a small risk of breakouts or infections on the newly cleared skin surface or within the hair follicles.
- Some people are allergic to metals and could react to the scalpel.
- Minor skin irritation and slight discoloration are normal and temporary.
- Dermaplaning is not cheap, so it can lighten your wallet.
Who Can Perform Dermaplaning
Generally, only an esthetician can perform dermaplaning. However, not all estheticians have the additional certification required to offer this service. Before you can take the class for dermaplaning certification in most states, you must have a current, valid esthetician’s license. In some cases, you can take the course after 1500 hours of medical, beauty, or cosmetology school training.
What this means is that, in some areas, a doctor, nurse, or beauty school graduate may also be allowed, with the proper certification, to do dermaplaning. Since state laws and licensing requirements vary, you should contact the local licensing board to get specific information on the requirements in your area. You can find a list of all the requirements for esthetician’s licenses in every state and contact information for the state licensing boards here (https://www.beautyinsuranceplus.com/estheticians-states-requirements/).
FAQs
Dermaplaning is a popular form of cosmetic beautification. However, many people are unfamiliar with the process. To help you make a better dermaplaning consent form and help potential clients seeking this treatment, we have answered the most frequently asked questions from people seeking information about dermaplaning consent forms.
A dermaplaning consent form is not legally necessary in most places. However, it is essential for practical purposes and to protect the technician and business from legal repercussions. Clients can claim they never consented and have an attorney press battery charges if you cannot prove they gave consent. So, although it’s not a requirement before performing this service, it’s best to consider it mandatory as a best practice.
Dermaplaning is FDA approved. Moreover, the FDA provides information on unique, patented dermaplaning devices, such as certain scalpels like the ones created by Skinceuticals. You can find that information here (https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scrIpts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfRL/rl.cfm?lid=340229&lpcd=GES).
Certain health conditions could make this process unsafe. Additionally, there are plenty of things you should not do and products you should not use before dermaplaning. The list below contains most of the contraindications. However, you should check with your licensing board and stay up to date on your trade standards and best practices through ongoing self-education to stay updated on any new or additional information that comes out.
ᐅ Sunburns
ᐅ Keratoses
ᐅ Eczema
ᐅ Dermatitis
ᐅ Active Herpes Infections
ᐅ Open Lesions
ᐅ Lupus
ᐅ Malignant Skin Tumors
ᐅ Recent Facial Surgeries
ᐅ Damaged Skin (such as scratches)
ᐅ Recent Use of Tanning Bed
ᐅ Recent Use of Accutane
ᐅ Allergies to the metal used in the dermaplaning tool
Dermaplaning devices include scalpel-like tools called dermatomes and sometimes razor-like tools. These tools are used to remove excess dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. Although using scalpels and razors to smooth skin may sound daunting, the process is safe and painless.
Dermaplaning is noninvasive. This process uses a thin blade to remove built-up skin cells painlessly from the surface of your skin. Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion use devices that may be invasive and cause discomfort or pain to some clients.
While all dermaplaning uses a similar thin blade, dermabrasion devices are more varied and come in two general categories. The two types of dermabrasion devices are manual and motorized. The manual devices are those literally used by hand, with no power source, and include items like scalpels. Meanwhile, some dermabrasion devices use a power source. These are typically used in microdermabrasion which works on your skin on a much smaller scale to help clean out pores and promote collagen production.
Final Thoughts
Dermaplaning can help your clients have much nicer skin that feels and looks better. However, it is essential to have them sign a dermaplaning consent form. These legal documents help you understand their existing skin conditions and avoid further damage and prevent litigation against you or your company for performing unauthorized treatments. A simple consent form is a best and easiest way to ensure everyone is happy with the treatment. We recommend using a preformatted, professionally created template to quickly and easily create custom documents for all your clientele.
