Exfoliation is frequently neglected although the importance is profound! Health, glowing skin is achieved by gently resurfacing the skin via mechanical, chemical, or a combination of both methods. At home exfoliation should be done once to twice per week depending on your skin concerns & conditions.
Professional resurfacing therapies can be done weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, or even seasonally depending on the nature of the therapy, and desired results. Professional therapies can range from mild to minimally invasive depending on the treatment plan and the results you are hoping to achieve.
Why is exfoliation important?
Our skin naturally sheds dead layers on a daily basis. As the 'glue' between cells naturally loosen some cells may cling to the surface resulting in an uneven, dull and patchy complexion. Layers of dead skin cells impair the absorption of product into your skin and it affects the way your skin naturally excretes, regulates and protects.
Exfoliant Types
Choosing an exfoliant is dependant on the desired result you wish to achieve. Mechanical exfoliants buff away layers while chemical exfoliants naturally loosen or dissolve skin cells. Chemical exfoliants are either enzymatic of hydroxy acid based in formulation. Look for ingredients such as bromelain, papain, malic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid and glycolic acid to name a few.
The first two exfoliants, bromelain and papain, come from pineapples and papayas. Enzymatic exfoliants are very similar in action to Pac Man. They 'eat' dead skin cells until they are neutralized which in most cases, depending on the brand and pH, happens when you splash your skin with water during the rinsing process or through the application of a neutralizing fluid.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA's) are slightly different, and a definite favorite when it comes to exfoliation. AHA's can come from apples (malic acid), lemons (citric acid), milk (lactic acid) and sugar cane
(glycolic acid) to name a few. AHA's can help to lighten, brighten, hydrate and exfoliate. They are powerful and provide effective results.
AHA’s are water soluble while Beta hydroxy acids (BHA’s) are oil soluble and designed to help reduce oil levels while reducing pore size. BHA’s are anti-microbial and reduces inflammation making them exceptional for oily and blemished skin types.
How Exfoliants Work
Exfoliation is one of the most important steps in a skin care routine and most frequently overlooked. Healthy skin needs to be stimulated. Our cell turnover rate slows down as we age (your cell turnover rate is the period of time it takes for a single cell to surface once it has been formed). The more rapid this rate, the healthier your skin.
Young , healthy skin has a cell turnover rate is approximately every 28 days (the number of days it takes for one skin cell to surface). As we age our cell over rate can slow down to every 50 days. Exfoliation 'keeps' the skin youthful by through stimulation by ensuring an active basel cell layer.
Renew, refresh and revitalize skin through exfoliation and allow your skin care to work effectively and optimally!
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