Much like the picture of the car on the bridge. Compression is the downward pressure applied to the skin, the Load is the blade. Tension is keeping the skin taut between two points – your thumb and index finger. Compression is how much downward pressure you’re putting on the skin. The two need to be in balance for best results and comfort for the client.
Not enough tension can lead to nicks and skitter marks on the client’s skin.
How do you know if you have enough tension on the skin?
The skin doesn’t move with the blade. The blade glides over the skin, easily removing vellus hair and skin cells with each pass.
“If I push down more will that help?”
No. It’ll make it harder. When you push down too much, you’ll see the skin looks more like a pillow than a flat sheet. Flat surfaces are easier and safer to dermaplane than a curved surface.
“Is it time for science class again?”
Yes.
Working within 1/2” – 1 1/2” space between your thumb and index finger, draw your fingers apart, pressing down just enough to keep your fingers from sliding (gloves make this easier as they provide more grip). Apply a lot of Compression or downward pressure and see how the skin looks like a pillow? Now release a little and you’ll see the skin is taut but flat. That’s what you’re looking for.
Now dermaplane between your fingers as you adjust for more or less Compression & Tension based on how the skin feels and the results you’re seeing.
We’ll cover Load in Part 4
Happy Dermaplaning!
Rikki Kusy, CEO
DermaplanePro, Inc.
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