No, estheticians cannot do dermaplaning in Pennsylvania. The Cosmetology Law of 1933 defines esthetics narrowly, and its list of authorized hair-removal methods covers only tweezers, depilatories, and waxes. A blade is not on that list, so dermaplaning sits outside a licensed esthetician’s scope of practice regardless of training, certification, or what other states allow.
What the Law Actually Authorizes
An esthetician’s scope in Pennsylvania comes from the Cosmetology Law of 1933 and 49 Pa. Code Chapter 7. “Esthetics” is defined as massaging the face, applying cosmetic preparations such as antiseptics, tonics, lotions, or creams, removing unwanted hair with tweezers, depilatories, or waxes, perming eyelashes, and dyeing eyelashes and eyebrows.1Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology. Cosmetology Law Act of May 3, 1933 – Section: Definitions The regulations also allow estheticians to use “industry standard mechanical and electrical apparatus and appliances.”2Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin. 49 Pa. Code Chapter 7 – State Board of Cosmetology General Provisions
That list is exhaustive. If a tool or procedure is not covered by those terms, an esthetician is not authorized to use it.
Why Dermaplaning Doesn’t Fit
Dermaplaning uses a sterile surgical blade to scrape the surface of the skin, removing dead cells and fine vellus hair. The blade is not a tweezer, depilatory, or wax, so the procedure fails the statutory test for authorized hair removal.
The “mechanical and electrical apparatus” language does not rescue it either. That clause has been read to cover devices like steamers and high-frequency machines used in facials, not surgical-grade blades. A Pennsylvania legislator seeking to change the law acknowledged “there is a lot of confusion in the industry on whether estheticians are permitted to perform dermaplaning, especially since our Cosmetology Law has not been updated to reflect new techniques and procedures.”3Pennsylvania General Assembly. Adding Dermaplaning to the Cosmetology Law – Former HB 1581 Confusion in the industry does not change the statute. Until the definition is amended, the blade stays off-limits.
If you were licensed in another state that allowed dermaplaning within esthetics, that authority does not travel with you. Once you practice in Pennsylvania, you work under Pennsylvania’s definition.
What Happens If You Do It Anyway
Performing dermaplaning as a licensed esthetician exposes you to discipline from the State Board of Cosmetology. The schedule of civil penalties sets a $500 fine for a first offense of practicing without proper authorization, with a second offense escalating to formal disciplinary action.4Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin. 49 Pa. Code 43b.5 – Schedule of Civil Penalties Cosmetologists
The exposure goes further than the schedule. Under the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs statute, the Board can impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation on any licensee who violates the licensing act or regulations, and it can deny, suspend, or revoke a license as a disciplinary sanction or for failure to pay fines.5Pennsylvania General Assembly. Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 63 Chapter 31 A $500 fine is survivable. Losing the license is not.
Who Can Legally Perform Dermaplaning in Pennsylvania
Because dermaplaning uses a blade to remove layers of skin, it generally falls within the scope of medical practice. Physicians and medical professionals operating under physician supervision can perform it. In a medical spa, dermaplaning is typically performed by or under the direct supervision of a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, depending on the practice’s protocols.
Some estheticians work in medical spas under physician supervision, and that arrangement can allow them to perform procedures outside the esthetics license. Whether it actually does depends on the supervising physician’s own scope and the written protocols of the practice. If you are considering this route, the supervision arrangement needs to be clearly documented and compliant with both the Medical Practice Act and the Cosmetology Law. A verbal understanding with a physician is not a legal basis to pick up a blade.
Pending Legislation That Could Change This
There has been legislative effort to close the gap. House Bill 1581 was introduced in a prior session to amend the Cosmetology Law of 1933 by adding “removal of hair by blade” to the definition of esthetics. That bill did not pass. The sponsor indicated plans to reintroduce it, and a successor bill, HB 61, was later introduced.3Pennsylvania General Assembly. Adding Dermaplaning to the Cosmetology Law – Former HB 1581
None of that changes current law. The Board enforces the statute as written, not as it may read after the next session. If you want to offer dermaplaning in Pennsylvania today, the only safe paths are to work under qualifying medical supervision or to wait for the definition to be amended.