My Honest Review of the Schick Silk Salon Dermaplaning Wand: Smooth Skin, But at What Cost?
Is the Schick Silk Salon Dermaplaning Wand worth buying? I put this popular at-home dermaplaning tool to the test, and while the results were rather lovely, the experience itself was… well, let's just say my face and I have a few things to discuss!
Being a professional makeup artist, I've always been interested in anything that promises smoother, brighter skin. And if it can help create a beautiful canvas for makeup application, even better.
So, when I came across the Schick Silk Salon Dermaplaning Wand, I thought I'd give it a go. The promise? Remove peach fuzz, exfoliate dead skin cells and reveal beautifully smooth, radiant skin without a trip to the beauty salon. Sounds fabulous, right? Well, yes. And no.
What Is the Schick Silk Salon Dermaplaning Wand?
Dermaplaning (otherwise known as dermablading) is a method of exfoliation and hair removal that uses a small blade to remove fine facial hair (commonly known as peach fuzz) and dead skin cells from the surface of your skin.
The Schick Silk Salon Dermaplaning Wand is designed to bring this treatment into your own bathroom, without the expense or hassle of a professional appointment.
The kit includes a reusable rose-gold metal handle with silicone grips and two replacement blades. It also comes with a protective blade cover and a handy little station for changing the blades. Schick recommends replacing the blade after one to three uses.
I purchased mine on sale online from Chemist Warehouse for $14.99, plus approximately $11.80 postage. I also bought a pack of 3 refill blades that were reduced to $8.99. It arrived in less than 48 hours, which was rather impressive!
First Impressions: So Far, So Good!
Straight out of the packet, I was quite impressed. The packaging was attractive, the wand felt lightweight and comfortable to hold, and the whole thing seemed nicely made for such an inexpensive product.
Changing the blades was surprisingly straightforward, too. You simply place the little blade station on a flat surface, insert the wand into the replacement head and lift it out. No fiddling around with exposed blades, which I appreciated. There's also a protective cover for storing the wand safely between uses. So far, Schick was earning itself some serious brownie points.
Using the Schick Dermaplaning Wand: Here's Where Things Got Interesting
Before starting, I tied my hair back, made sure I had cleansed my skin and applied a facial serum to help the blade move across my face. And then I got a little too enthusiastic.
My first mistake was going in too hard and too fast and not realising how sharp this little blade could be. I quickly discovered that dermaplaning is definitely not something you want to rush, and technique is everything! The trick is to pull your skin taut, use very short, very light, feather-like strokes at a 45-degree angle to your face and keep the blade flat against the skin at all times. Don't try to manoeuvre it around any corners by tilting the tip of the blade. Unfortunately, I learned this lesson the hard way.
The Problem With Facial Curves
The biggest issue I encountered was navigating the natural contours of my face. On relatively flat areas, such as my cheeks, the blade was reasonably easy to control. It sat flat against my skin and did as it was designed to. But around my jawline, ears and neck? Not so much.
The blade itself is completely straight, which makes navigating around curved areas rather tricky. Naturally, I found myself tilting the wand slightly to reach those awkward little nooks and crannies, especially close to my ears. Big mistake.
The very tip of the blade is incredibly sharp, and whenever I inadvertently angled it against my skin, it nicked me.
Not once. Not twice. About four times. And not teeny-tiny nicks - some were almost half a centimetre in length. It all happened very quickly. And being full of beginner's confidence, I didn't immediately realise what was happening and I kept going! It wasn't until the blood began to surface that I realised what had happened. OUCH!
Yes, I should have been more careful. I guess I had proceeded as if it was some sort of safety blade, and clearly it's not. It's a BLADE blade, and it WILL cut you.
Once I worked out what was going wrong, I approached the other side of my face much more cautiously.
I reduced the pressure considerably, kept the blade consistently flat (never pointing the tip to get into the nooks) and adjusted the direction of my strokes rather than twisting the blade to follow the curves of my face.
The good news? I managed to complete the other side without a single cut. The bad news? By then, I was feeling rather nervous and uncomfortable about the whole exercise. Realising how easily I could nick myself with even a slight change in technique left me feeling rather vulnerable and unsafe.
Not Quite the Smooth Glide I Was Expecting
Something else I really didn't enjoy was the sensation and the sound of the blade moving across my skin. Despite using serum, there was a strange, gravelly, raspy, scraping sound with every stroke - very unnerving!
It also felt quite grabby, almost as though the blade was blunt, despite proving it was more than sharp enough to cut me. There was extremely noticeable resistance rather than the effortless glide I'd imagined. Perhaps that's simply part of the dermaplaning experience, but it certainly wasn't particularly pleasant!
And, of course, there's the added challenge of keeping well away from your eyebrows and hairline. One enthusiastic swipe in the wrong direction and you could end up with a rather unexpected new look. Not quite the results we're aiming for.
The Results: Was My Skin Actually Smoother?
Now for the good news. Yes! My skin looked and felt absolutely lovely.
I dermaplaned my face and neck, avoiding the delicate eye and lip areas, and the difference was immediately noticeable. My skin felt incredibly smooth, the peach fuzz was gone, and my complexion looked brighter, fresher and more revitalised.
I can certainly see the appeal of dermaplaning prior to a big event, close up photography or to generally enhance the way your makeup looks on your skin. Removing peach fuzz and dead surface skin cells can create a smoother-looking canvas for foundation and other makeup products.
Unfortunately, I'm currently admiring those results while nursing several rather stingy little cuts. Beauty can be painful, but I'm not entirely convinced it needs to be quite this literal.
Does Dermaplaning Make Facial Hair Grow Back Thicker?
One of the biggest concerns women have about dermaplaning is whether removing peach fuzz will cause it to grow back thicker, darker or coarser.
The reassuring answer, that is generally accepted as truth today, is no. Shaving fine facial hair doesn't change the hair follicle or cause it to produce thicker hair. However, because the hair is cut at the surface rather than removed from the root, the regrowth can initially feel a little different as the blunt ends emerge.
I am yet to test this for myself after long-term use. If I notice anything adverse I will be sure to update this blog.
My Hair Regrowth Update
I'll report back on how quickly my peach fuzz becomes noticeable again, whether the regrowth feels prickly or soft, and how long those lovely smooth-skin results actually last. Stay tuned!
A Few Important Dermaplaning Safety Tips
Before you rush off to give dermaplaning a whirl, there are a few important precautions worth knowing about. Schick recommends holding the wand at approximately 45 degrees and using short, feather-light strokes while keeping the skin taut. And having learned the hard way, I'd definitely encourage you to take those instructions seriously!
There are a few other things to keep in mind:
Be sun smart. Schick advises taking precautions with sun exposure before and after dermaplaning. Freshly exfoliated skin can be more sensitive to UV exposure, so avoid direct sun immediately afterwards.
Avoid problem areas. Don't dermaplane over active acne, moles, sunburn, broken skin or areas undergoing medical treatment. If you have particularly sensitive skin or a condition such as eczema or rosacea, seek professional advice first.
Steer clear of delicate areas. Keep the blade away from your eyes, eyelids and lips, and be mindful of your eyebrows and hairline.
Go gently with your skincare afterwards. Schick recommends moisturising and avoiding harsh exfoliants for a few days.
Look after your blade. Use the protective cover when storing it, keep it away from children and replace the blade according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Schick also recommends using its Silk Salon Dermaplaning Facial Balm to help the blade glide across the skin. If you are unsure whether dermaplaning is suitable for your skin, it's always worth checking with a qualified skin professional first. For more information on safe dermaplaning techniques and aftercare, visit Schick's official dermaplaning guide.
Would I Use the Schick Dermaplaning Wand Again?
Surprisingly, yes. Only because it is quicker and easier than waxing, and doesn't leave any sore lumps and bumps post-wax. But I would use it very, very cautiously.
I love the way my skin looks and feels afterwards, and I can see why dermaplaning has become so popular.
However, I don't particularly like feeling nervous about using a beauty tool on my face. That was a big turn-off.
For me, the biggest drawback isn't simply that I managed to cut myself. I can certainly take responsibility for being a little cavalier on my first attempt! It's that the blade felt somewhat unforgiving. A slight change in angle or a little too much pressure seemed to be enough to cause a nick, particularly around the curved areas of my face. Some parts of the face are difficult to pull taut with one spare hand, especially when you are in your mid-40s like myself. I found that any puckering of the skin made it much easier to accidentally catch myself with the blade.
Once I understood how to handle it, I was able to use it successfully without further mishaps. But I never quite felt completely confident or in control - as if it could 'strike' at any moment!
I'm also not particularly keen on reusing the same blade two or three times. Although Schick suggests the blades can last for up to three uses, after experiencing that grabby sensation, I'd personally prefer a fresh blade next time.
My Final Review: Is the Schick Silk Salon Dermaplaning Wand Worth It?
It's a bit of a mixed bag. On the plus side, it's affordable, lightweight, nicely designed and genuinely effective at removing peach fuzz and leaving skin beautifully smooth. The replaceable blade system is convenient, too.
On the downside, I found the blade difficult to manoeuvre around facial contours, the scraping sensation unpleasant, and the risk of accidental nicks rather higher than I'd like.
Would I recommend it? With reservations.
If you're patient, have a steady hand and are prepared to take your time, you may find it a worthwhile little addition to your beauty routine. But if you're expecting something that effortlessly glides around every curve of your face, I'd suggest tempering those expectations. For me, the results were lovely. The experience? Considerably less so.
My advice: Follow the manufacturer's instructions, keep your strokes short and feather-light, and don't rush. Make sure the blade stays flat against taut skin at all times; don't tilt it. Avoid broken or irritated skin, and take particular care around delicate or awkward areas. Because smooth, glowing skin is wonderful. But preferably without the battle scars!
Disclaimer
This is an independent, unsponsored review of the Schick Silk Salon Dermablading Wand based entirely on my personal experience with a Schick dermaplaning product that I purchased myself. I have no affiliation with Schick, and all opinions expressed are my own.
My experience, including the minor cuts I sustained, should not be taken to suggest that the product is defective or inherently unsafe. Individual results and experiences may vary, and my technique may have contributed to the difficulties I encountered.
This article is provided for general information only and is not intended as professional dermatological or medical advice. Always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions, warnings and safety precautions before using any dermaplaning tool. If you have concerns about your skin or whether dermaplaning is suitable for you, consult a qualified healthcare or skin professional.
Comments