Eva Mendes says she shaves her face. What is dermaplaning and why do people do it?

Eva Mendes shaves her face. Not in the way that might come to mind — standing in front of a mirror with shaving cream and a razor removing a beard. Rather, it's a beauty treatment called dermaplaning.

The actress shared that she gets the procedure for a variety of reasons including the fact that "make up and moisturizer goes on much smoother" and she's hairy. "My Cuban Papi is a man bear and I’m his mini me," she wrote, adding in a comment, "I’m a beast so I probably need every other day! Ha. My hair grows back if I get chills. ... I’ll literally be shaving my legs in the shower and get chills and all my work is undone!”

The 49-year-old says she "loves" shaving her face and that she recieved feedback from her followers that many of them have been doing the same for years.

So what exactly is dermaplaning?

What is dermaplaning — and how is it different from shaving?

Dr. Joshua Zeichner, an associate professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, told Insider, "Dermaplaning is a manual exfoliation process using a sharp blade against the skin." The process uses a scalpel-like razor used specifically for dermaplaning.

Dr. Catherine Chang, a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and founder of Privé Beverly Hills, previously told InStyle that the "minimally invasive treatment" targets the "fine vellus hairs — aka peach fuzz," revealing a smoother appearance underneath.

While dermaplaning is likened to shaving one’s face, dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, told Cosmopolitan that it is not the same thing. Gohara says the practice is more like "a turbo-charged exfoliator" and that it can remove up to two weeks of dead skin. Results last about three weeks.

Due to the fact that scalpels tend to be, well, sharp, Gohara recommended the process be left up to the professionals, even though it is possible to purchase dermaplaning kits for home use. Proceed with caution.

If you do want to try dermaplaning at home, experts advised InStyle that it's vital to make sure that your tools are clean, and that you are picking a safe tool specifically designed for dermaplaning, as opposed to an open razor which can be easier to nick yourself with.

Founder of Dermaflash, Dara Levy, told the publication that you should get close to a mirror in a well-lit area, then, "Use a finger from the opposite hand to gently hold your skin taut and hold the device at a 45-degree angle. Use short feathery strokes over the surface of your skin, avoiding your lips, nose, and eyelids.”

What results do people want from dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is not a new practice: Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor included it in their beauty routines, and for good reason.

As Mendes pointed out, dermaplaning allows for makeup to go on more smoothly and evenly, due to the fact that it removes dead skin and hair. It can also give you a brighter appearance, and softer skin. There's also some evidence that it may boost collagen production, Zeichner explained, noting, "Low-grade trauma to the skin may simulate a wound-healing response to stimulate collagen."

Who should avoid dermaplaning?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s important to steer clear of dermaplaning if you have active acne, cold sores, skin tags, or generally anything that might get snagged on the razor. (Sorry for the visual.) Those with sensitive skin due to eczema, rashes, or psoriasis should also avoid the practice as it can cause further irritation.

You also want to make sure you're not overdoing it. Zeichner told Inisder that dermaplaning too often "can lead to skin irritation and inflammation."

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