Dermaplaning Consent Form Template

Key Takeaways

A dermaplaning consent form documents informed consent before treatment, protecting both practitioner and client from liability and regulatory risk.

Mandatory sections include client information, medical history, contraindication screening, risk disclosure, aftercare instructions, and a signature block.

Accutane/isotretinoin use within 6 months, active acne, rosacea, eczema, and blood-thinning medications are critical contraindications to screen for before treatment.

Pabau’s digital consent forms auto-send pre-appointment reminders, capture legally binding digital signatures, and store timestamped records in the client profile for audit compliance.

Download your free dermaplaning consent form

Dermaplaning is one of the most popular non-invasive treatments in medical aesthetics. It removes vellus hair and dead skin cells with a sterile surgical scalpel, leaving skin smoother and brighter. Like any procedure, it carries risks.

A properly structured consent form makes sure clients understand those risks before they commit. It protects your practice from liability and demonstrates compliance with professional standards. Many practices pair it with an aesthetic interest questionnaire during intake to capture treatment goals alongside medical risk.

What to include in a dermaplaning consent form

A compliant dermaplaning consent form has five core sections. Each one serves both a clinical and legal purpose.

• Client information: Name, date of birth, contact details, emergency contact.
• Medical history and skin conditions: Current medications, skin disorders, recent treatments, allergies.
• Contraindications checklist: Absolute and relative contraindications the client must acknowledge understanding of.
• Risks and side effects: Clear disclosure of potential reactions, from common (redness, sensitivity) to rare (infection, scarring).
• Aftercare instructions and signature: Post-treatment care guidance and a consent declaration with date and signature.

Each section protects the client by informing them and protects you by documenting that informed consent occurred. No section should be skipped or combined.

Client information section

The form opens with basic demographics and contact details. Collect name, date of birth, phone, email, and an emergency contact. This anchors the consent to the specific client and creates a clinical record linked to their appointment schedule.

Medical history and skin conditions screening

Ask whether the client is currently taking blood-thinning medications, has active skin infections, recent chemical peels, laser treatments, or retinoid use. Include specific questions about herpes simplex history, as active cold sores are a contraindication. This section informs your clinical decision and creates an audit trail if a complication arises.

Dermaplaning contraindications checklist

The contraindications checklist is the heart of the consent form. A client screening positive for any of these conditions should not receive the treatment without medical clearance or modification.

• Accutane or isotretinoin use within 6 months: The drug causes severe skin sensitivity and increases scarring risk. Absolute contraindication.
• Active acne: Dermaplaning over inflamed lesions spreads bacteria and increases infection risk. Relative contraindication; may proceed if mild and stable.
• Rosacea: The procedure triggers flushing and erythema in rosacea-prone skin. Relative contraindication; assess severity.
• Eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis: Active inflammatory skin conditions are contraindications due to barrier damage risk.
• Open wounds, sores, or herpes simplex: Never dermaplane over open lesions or active cold sores. Absolute contraindication.
• Blood-thinning medications: Anticoagulants (warfarin, DOACs) and antiplatelet drugs (aspirin, clopidogrel) increase bleeding and bruising risk. Screen and document.
• Recent chemical peels, laser, or microdermabrasion: Multiple exfoliating treatments in close succession damage the skin barrier. Wait 2-4 weeks between treatments.
• Sunburned or recently tanned skin: Damaged skin is contraindicated. Recommend waiting 2 weeks post-sun exposure.

Present this as a checklist the client must review and confirm they do not have any of these conditions. Document their response in the form. The same screening logic applies to other aesthetic treatments, like the dermal filler consent form.

Risks and side effects disclosure

Clear disclosure of risks is what constitutes legal informed consent. List both common and rare side effects so the client cannot claim surprise after treatment.

• Common: Temporary redness and erythema (usually resolves in 24-48 hours), mild irritation, temporary skin sensitivity, dryness, or slight flaking.
• Uncommon: Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, especially in darker skin types; temporary breakouts due to exfoliation; rarely, infection if the skin was compromised.
• Rare: Scarring (extremely rare with proper technique and aftercare), severe allergic reaction to topical products applied post-treatment.

Include a note addressing a common misconception: dermaplaning does not cause vellus hair to grow back thicker or darker. Results vary by individual, and some clients may perceive regrowth as thicker than it is. Practice teams should explain this during consultation so clients have realistic expectations.

Aftercare instructions to include in the form

Aftercare prevents complications and sets the client up for optimal results. Include these instructions as part of the consent form so the client acknowledges receipt and understanding.

• Avoid direct sun exposure for 48-72 hours post-treatment. Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily for at least one week.
• Do not use exfoliating products (acids, retinoids, vitamin C serums, scrubs) for 3-7 days post-treatment.
• Avoid heat treatments (saunas, hot yoga, strenuous exercise) for 48 hours to prevent excessive flushing.
• Do not apply heavy makeup for 24 hours. If you apply it sooner, use clean brushes to reduce infection risk.
• Hydrate with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer for 3-5 days post-treatment.
• Contact your practitioner if redness persists beyond 72 hours, signs of infection appear, or unexpected reactions occur.

Printing aftercare instructions on the back of the consent form or sending them via email ensures clients have written guidance they can reference at home.

How to use a digital dermaplaning consent form

Paper consent forms work, but digital consent forms are faster, easier to update, and create a timestamped audit record. Sent through practice management software like Pabau, they can be completed on mobile before the appointment, signed electronically, and stored automatically in the client record.

1. Customize the template with your practice name, logo, and any treatment-specific questions.
2. Send the form to the client 48 hours before their booked appointment via email or SMS link.
3. The client completes the form on their phone or computer, reviews contraindications, and provides a digital signature.
4. The signed form is stored instantly in their client profile with a completion timestamp, creating a defensible record for regulatory compliance and liability protection.

This workflow eliminates last-minute form hunting on the day of treatment and ensures no client attends without completing informed consent. Going paperless with digital consent also reduces administrative burden and improves the client experience.

Signature and photography release section

End the form with a consent declaration and signature block. The statement should read: “I have read and understood the above information about dermaplaning, including the contraindications, risks, and aftercare requirements. I confirm that I do not have any of the listed contraindications and consent to proceed with treatment. I understand that results vary by individual and that I am responsible for following aftercare instructions.”

Include fields for printed name, signature (or digital signature), and date. Optionally add a photography release clause if you take before-and-after photos for records or marketing: “I consent to photography of my treatment area for clinical records and practice marketing purposes. I understand my identity will not be disclosed without explicit written consent.” HIPAA compliance requires storing photos securely with the same rigor as medical records.

A well-designed dermaplaning consent form protects your practice and demonstrates professionalism to your clients, while supporting safe, informed treatment decisions. Download the template above, customize it with your practice details and any jurisdiction-specific requirements, and use it for every dermaplaning appointment. Your practice’s safety and reputation depend on it.

Managing consent forms across multiple locations or practitioners becomes simpler when everything — from an emergency medical form to a vital signs record — lives in one system. Pabau’s digital forms tool lets you send, track, and store signed consents automatically, so your team spends less time on paperwork and more time delivering great care.

Ready to streamline your practice’s consent workflow?

Digital consent forms save time, reduce paper, and create legally defensible records. See how Pabau simplifies consent management for your entire practice.

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Protect your practice with a compliant consent form

A compliant dermaplaning consent form protects your practice, informs your clients, and documents the professional standard of care you uphold. By covering contraindications, risks, and aftercare clearly, you reduce liability exposure and demonstrate that you take patient safety seriously. Use the template provided above and pair it with digital form submission to eliminate paperwork friction and ensure every client’s consent is properly captured and stored.

Continue your research

Want to expand your consent form library? Hydrafacial consent form provides a template for another popular aesthetic treatment with overlapping contraindication screening.

Need guidance on compliance documentation? CQC compliance requirements outline the documentation standards UK clinics must meet.

Comparing other exfoliation treatments? Chemical peel consent form covers similar contraindications, like recent sun exposure and active skin conditions, for a treatment often paired with dermaplaning.

Frequently asked questions