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Exfoliating can be done can be done manually or physically by using a mildly abrasive product such as a silk mitt, a soft washcloth, a scrub or an exfoliating mask. Often manual skin exfoliation products are just too irritating to the skin i.e.. scrubs, loofahs, buffing creams, masks and even washcloths. But even better, is to chemically exfoliate your skin. At the present time, there are some great chemical exfoliates which are more thorough and less irritating & damaging to the skin than manual exfoliates. In addition, chemical skin exfoliation is not part of the wet cleansing process.
Chemical exfoliates are in fact, gels, lotions and creams that are used daily, after the skin has been cleansed and dried. They also need to be followed daily by an excellent sunscreen since chemical skin exfoliation will sensitize skin to the sun. Some chemical exfoliations include AHAs (or water-soluble Alpha Hydroxy fruit acids) and BHAs (or oil-soluable Beta Hydroxy salicylic acid). Skin exfoliation using both AHAs and BHA, act to remove the outer layer of skin cells and promote cell turnover, allowing healthier new cells to come to the surface.
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WHAT IS EXFOLIATION?
As the skin ages, the older skin cell come to the surface and may cause a dull or sallow look. Exfoliation is a wonderful technique used to overcome this aged look. With proper exfoliation, the dead epidermal cells on the outer surface of the skin can be topically removed to expose fresher, more lively-looking cells, revealing a more youthful glow. Not only will proper exfoliation remove that unwanted, drab appearance of your skin, but it will also improve the effectiveness and penetration of active ingredients of skin care products. Beyond that, regular exfoliation can help the skin to rectify overcompensations such as too oily or acneic skin.
WHY SHOULD I EXFOLIATE?
Exfoliation has many great benefits, but the results can vary for everyone. The benefits of adding exfoliation to a skin care routine are not universal. Because each person’s skin has its own rate of cell turnover, one person may exfoliate everyday and still need additional peels by a professional, while another person could never exfoliate a day in her life and have a youthful looking, fresh appearance.
As our skin ages, the rate of cell turnover reduces greatly. When we are in our teens and twenties, our skin is already doing well with cell turnover, so we are likely to see little results from increased exfoliation. However, as we reach our thirties and forties, the cell turnover and natural exfoliation processes are quite likely to dramatically decrease. Beginning in their thirties and sometimes late twenties, many people begin to notice dull, lifeless looking skin because their stratum corneum (topmost layer of dead cells) becomes too thick. For such cases, proper, routine exfoliation could make all the difference. Because exfoliation has been noted to reduce the skin’s production of oil (sebum), people with excessively oily skin may benefit also.
HOW DO I EXFOLIATE?
Common methods of exfoliation vary from at-home use of abrasive scrubs & acidic solutions and peels, to esthetician performed peels and finally doctor grade peels. While many believe regular exfoliation may reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, its effectiveness can only be realized where it is able to penetrate; thus, the varying degrees of peels.
The products we sell are primarily for the purpose of routine exfoliation. These weekly or sometimes daily treatments are designed to slough off your skin’s dead cells resulting from normal, everyday life. No product on our site should be confused with deep chemical peels, laser peels and other semi-invasive treatments. These peels most often performed by an esthetician or physician are actually designed to create controlled trauma to the dermis, and subsequently improve the structural integrity of the skin as it heals and regenerates itself.
There are many popular exfoliation methods including alpha and beta hydroxy acids, poly hydroxys blends of the two, retinols, physical scrubs, enzyme peels, etc. Some may have collateral benefits. For example, alpha-hydroxy acids, such as glycolic and lactic acids seem to have benefits beyond their exfoliating effect, as they can also improve the skin’s structural dermal matrix, whereas Beta-hydroxy acids, like salicylic acid are especially beneficial to excessively oily and acne-prone skin.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I EXFOLIATE?
Because dead skin cells usually take a few days to accumulate on the skin’s surface, daily exfoliation is generally not recommended. Over exfoliation can result in the accidental removal of living cells and can cause irritation, redness, and skin damage. If your skin is overly oily, you may be the one exception to the rule and may be able to use a daily exfoliation regimen. But please exfoliate with care, and note how your skin reacts to each treatment and adjust your regimen accordingly.
As a general guideline for most people, exfoliation once or twice a week is sufficient. Remember to pay close attention to the manufacturer’s recommended usage and access your own skin’s reaction or lack of reaction to a new product. You know your skin best. If a certain type of exfoliation is not giving you the results you are looking for, try another method. If you develop any type of irritation or increased sensitivity or dryness, you are likely exfoliating too much.
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