The Facts on Exfoliation

 

I'm sure many of you plan to add healthy, youthful skin to your list of New Years' resolutions, so here's some advice on an often overlooked, but very important, aspect of a good skin care regimen: exfoliation.

 

~ Why exfoliate? Your skin has a natural exfoliation process. It takes about 30 days for you to "replace" your epidermis by shedding dead skin cells and regenerating new ones. This holds true for all skin types and all skin colors. The normal aging of the skin and external factors, such as UV rays, dehydrated skin, or environmental pollutants, slow this process down. The result is a gradual thinning of the epidermis and a dry, scaly outer layer of skin (stratum corneum).

When skin gets thin; it ages faster-resulting in dry skin, clogged pores, fine lines and poor skin texture. Regular exfoliation can keep your skin looking young and healthy.

 

~ How and when do you exfoliate? There are two families of exfoliation products: chemical and mechanical. The former include salon and medical spa treatments, such as glycolic acid, beta hydroxyl acid, retenoids, or enzyme peels, as well as take-home professional skin care products. Mechanical exfoliants include scrubs with silica granules and micro-dermabrasions.

Three things to remember:
· As a rule mechanical exfoliants are milder, but there are some chemical exfoliant   salon treatments like enzyme peels, that can be used on sensitive skin.

· If you use an exfoliant, make sure you moisturize the skin afterwards. This is   particularly true in winter as the humidity levels drop and your skin becomes more   vulnerable.

· Reinforce your salon services at home. Mild exfoliation on a weekly or daily basis   using a professional skin care product is an important part of any home skin care   regimen.