Dermaplaning Before a Wedding or Big Event: Your Australian Skin-Prep Timeline
Want the short version? for the smoothest skin and the most flawless makeup, dermaplane your face 1 to 2 days before your event. Not the morning of, and not three weeks out. That little window is where the magic happens.
If you have a wedding, a formal, a milestone birthday, a work Christmas party or a spring racing day circled in your diary, this is the guide for the week (and month) leading up to it.
We will walk you through exactly when to dermaplane, how it fits around self-tan and makeup, and the small mistakes that trip people up right before the big day.
As always, when it comes to dermaplaning, we've got you.
Why dermaplane before a big event?
Dermaplaning gently lifts away the fine peach fuzz and the top layer of dull, dead skin sitting on your face. Results on a normal day: smoother, brighter-looking, and softer skin.
Results before an event: Dermaplaning does something you can actually see in photos; it removes the tiny hairs that catch the light and cling to foundation, so your makeup sits flat and even, instead of looking patchy or fluffy.
The result is a base that looks smooth and lit-from-within, which is exactly what you want under a professional makeup artist or your own hand. It is one of the simplest, lowest-cost things you can do to make everything else you apply look better.
And the best part, with the right tool and technique, you can safely dermaplane at at-home so there's no salon costs or time-consuming appointments.
How many days before your event should you dermaplane?
We recommend, dermaplaning 24 to 48 hours before your event. That timing gives your skin a day to settle so any mild pinkness has faded, while your skin is still at its smoothest and most makeup-ready.
Doing it the morning of is too close: you want a buffer in case your skin feels a little sensitive. Doing it a week out is fine for skincare, but you lose that peak-smooth window right when you want it most.
A quick note on rhythm: dermaplaning is not a one-off. Most women dermaplane every 2 to 4 weeks to keep peach fuzz and build-up at bay. Your event is simply one well-timed session inside that ongoing routine.
Top tip: If you're new to dermaplaning, we recommend getting familiar with your dermaplaner and practicing your technique before your big event. Everyone's skin is different and you'll want to make sure you feel comfortable with the blade and results prior to your wedding or special event.
Your pre-event skin-prep countdown
Here is the simple timeline. Save it, or screenshot it for your notes.
4 weeks before
- If you have never dermaplaned at home, do your first session now as a trial run. Never let your event be your first time. Get comfortable with the blade and your dermaplaning oil if using.
- Keep up your normal routine and hydrate well.
1 week before
- Ease off strong actives like retinol and exfoliating acids a few days out, so your skin is calm and not over-worked.
- Book or confirm your makeup, tan and hair timings.
2 days before (your dermaplaning day)
- Cleanse your skin first and pat it dry.
- Then either dermaplane dry, or add a few drops of dermaplaning facial oil over your skin to help the blade glide and protect the skin.
- Follow with a gentle hydrating step. A nourishing hyaluronic acid or moisturiser is perfect here.
- Sanitise your blade afterward with isopropyl alcohol so it is clean and ready for your next use.
The night before
- If you self-tan, this is usually the time to do it (more on order below).
- Skip new products you have never used. Event week is not the week to experiment.
Morning of
- No dermaplaning today. Cleanse, hydrate, SPF, and let your makeup go on over that gorgeous smooth base.
Should you dermaplane before or after self-tan?
Dermaplane first, then tan. Always exfoliating steps like dermaplaning before you apply colour, never after.
If you dermaplane after self-tanning, you will literally scrape some of that colour off and can end up patchy. The clean sequence is: dermaplane two days before, let your skin settle for a day, then apply your self-tan the night before your event. Your tan goes onto smooth, even skin and fades far more gracefully.
Dermaplaning before makeup: the flawless base
This is the part brides and event-goers fall in love with. With the fuzz and flakes gone, foundation glides on and blends into the skin rather than gripping onto tiny hairs. Colour looks truer, powder does not cling, and everything photographs cleaner.
For the smoothest possible finish, dermaplane a day or two ahead (not the same morning), then on the event day keep your prep simple: hydrate, let everything absorb, apply SPF, and build your makeup as normal. If you want the full technique, our guide on how to dermaplane at home walks through every step.
Aftercare so your skin is calm and glowing on the day
Freshly dermaplaned skin loves gentle, hydrating care and dislikes anything harsh. In the day or two after your session:
- Keep it simple and hydrating. A few drops of our facial oil, which is made right here in Australia, helps skin feel nourished and calm.
- Wear SPF. Newly smoothed skin should not head out unprotected.
- Pause strong actives (retinol, AHAs, BHAs, scrubs) for a day or two.
- Do not pick or over-touch. Let your skin do its quiet, glowy thing.
For the full routine, see what to put on your face after dermaplaning and the best oil for dermaplaning.
Common pre-event mistakes to avoid
- Dermaplaning the morning of. Give yourself that 24 to 48 hour buffer.
- Making the event your first time. Do a trial run about a month out so you know exactly how your skin responds, especially if you're using new tools or a dermaplaning oil
- Going over active breakouts. Work around raised or inflamed spots, not across them.
- Using a dull blade. A fresh, sharp edge is gentler and cleaner. A tired blade drags.
- Tanning first, then dermaplaning. You will scrape your colour off. Dermaplane first, every time.
- Piling on new products in event week. Stick to what your skin already knows and loves.
Frequently asked questions
Can I dermaplane the morning of my wedding? It is better to dermaplane 1 to 2 days before. That way your skin is at its smoothest and any mild sensitivity has settled well before makeup goes on.
How many days before an event should I dermaplane? 24 to 48 hours before is the sweet spot for the smoothest skin and the most flawless makeup base.
Does dermaplaning make hair grow back thicker before an event? No. It is one of the most common myths. Your peach fuzz grows back exactly as it was, same colour and same softness. We explain the science in does dermaplaning increase facial hair growth.
Should I dermaplane before or after self-tan? Before. Dermaplane two days out, then apply self-tan the night before your event so your colour sits on smooth, even skin.
Can I wear makeup after dermaplaning? Yes, and it looks better for it. For a big event, give your skin a day between dermaplaning and makeup so it is calm and camera-ready.
I have never dermaplaned. Is it safe to try before my event? Yes, but do a trial run about four weeks ahead rather than experimenting during event week, so you know how your skin responds. Make sure to invest in a quality dermaplaning tool that will care for your skin.
Ready for that pre-event glow?
If you are planning for your big day or an important event, this is not the moment to settle for a cheap, throwaway blade. A quality dermaplaner glides gently for a smoother, calmer, more camera-ready finish, where a dull or flimsy one can drag, tug and nick the skin.
A few reasons women choose Make My Shave as your dermaplaning partner:
- A plastic-free dermaplaner handle, not another throwaway plastic tool
- Paired with our Australian-made facial oil, so you smooth then nourish in one step, exactly what your skin wants before an event
- Designed by a small team on the Gold Coast, Queensland, who felt women's grooming deserved better than being an afterthought
- Every order gives back by supporting Currumbin Wildlife Hospital
Everything you need for a smooth, makeup-ready base lives in our at-home dermaplaning tool and facial oil kit. Prefer just the tool? Meet our metal dermaplaner.