Skin Exfoliation
What is skin exfoliation?
Skin Exfoliation means the dead skin cells removal from the skin surface, and is used to keep the skin in a good condition. Exfoliation can be applied in spas for face and body and can be made with chemical and mechanical means. The process of exfoliation allows removing the oldest dead skin cells, stuck to the skin outermost surface. When applied accurately, skin peels help to make the skin smoother and fresher. Also expensive facial serums may penetrate into skin easily after the procedure.
The dermis is the thick layer of living tissue below the epidermis which forms the skin. After some time, cells move to the skin surface, becoming more acidic. During a month, they die and keratin saturates them. Keratin is significant and allows skin to be protected from harmful elements. With the ages the skin erosion process becomes unbalanced, making a skin rough and dry. Skin exfoliation process is the removing of the outermost layers and revealing the newer skin cells. Getting rid of the outer layers, pores may be unclogged, and skin becomes cleaner. The procedure must be done after the skin cleaning. Men may also use the procedure to expose the hair follicles for a better shave. Excessive exfoliation makes skin irritated. Wrinkles may be resulted by skin drying.
Types of skin peels:
Chemical skin peel is applied with include products of fruit enzymes, salicylic, glycolic and citric acid. A dermatologist applies them in high concentrations and lower concentrations are in over-the-counter products. Chemical exfoliation is the use of products with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), or different enzymes for splitting the cells, providing them with relief. People with acne are recommended to use this one.
Mechanical exfoliation. This procedure means physically abrasive-water scrubbing. Materials being used: micro fiber cloths, pumice, crepe paper, brushes, micro-bead facial scrubs, crushed almond shells, loofahs, sugar or salt crystals, sponges etc. Facial scrubs with no need for a prescription may be used. Exfoliants, containing a big concentration of crushed volcanic rock or pumice are not better to be used on dry skin.
Skin exfoliation side effects:
Being a natural process, exfoliation should sometimes be done with assistance. For instance, for the oily skin type it’s sometimes difficult to make exfoliating because of the sticky oil nature.
Another matter is the dry skin, where dead cells are accumulated fast, which prevents effective skin exfoliation and provides inevitability of moisture absorption. The purpose of the procedure is removing of dead cells from the skin surface, making skin fresh and healthy. Systematic exfoliation will help skin to absorb moisture, to lessen acne and to abate fine lines. Skin exfoliation is wholesome for skin, however it’s an irritating process and it can be quite difficult to decide either exfoliation result in irritation or skin inflaming. The best way is to determine a skin type, and then apply procedure, recommended from a trustworthy resource.
Some precautions in facial exfoliation:
- Carefulness with the delicate face skin.
- Non- over exfoliating. Caution with sensitive or aging skin.
- Accuracy in microdermabrasion treatment. Thin skin may become even thinner with too many treatments.
- Carefulness in summer period or in very sunny conditions. Skin can be easily damaged by the sun.
Non - using body scrubs on the face. - It’s better not to apply one peel and then get another. Too many protective layers can be removed, which make the living dermis expose.
Some precautions about body exfoliation:
- Should be done regularly.
- Non-over-exfoliation, as it results in serious skin damage.