SKINIPEDIA - Skinipedia TV: Exfoliation for Smooth Skin

Skinipedia TV, Episode #06: Exfoliation for Smooth Skin?

Exfoliation Origins

Did you know that all the credit for exfoliation goes to the ancient Egyptians for the practice of exfoliation? In the Middle Ages, wine was used as a chemical exfoliant, with tartaric acid as the active agent.

What is Exfoliation?

The skin is constantly generating new skin cells at the lower layer (the dermis) and sending them to the surface (the epidermis). But they are constantly sloughing off to make way for younger cells. As we age, this process of cell turnover slows down. Cells start to pile up unevenly on the skin's surface, giving it a dry, rough, dull appearance. Exfoliation is beneficial because it removes those cells that are clinging on, revealing the fresher, younger skin cells below.

Why Is Exfoliation Important?

This shedding of the outer layer unclogs pores, keeps skin clean, and helps reduce acne breakouts. When done correctly, exfoliation leaves the skin feeling smooth, hides fine lines, and adds a glow and freshness to your skin. Exfoliation also makes penetration easier for your skin care products.

Once you start exfoliating regularly, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it -

Types

There are two forms of exfoliation:

Mechanical

1) Mechanical Exfoliation. The dead skin cells are physically rubbed off with an abrasive. Examples of mechanical exfoliants include using a scrub of salt crystals, sugar or coffee grounds, or skin brushing using sponges, loofas, or brushes . On the face, mechanical exfoliation can range from scrubs using small, round, gentle abrasives like jojoba beads to more aggressive procedures like microdermabrasion. This exfoliating procedure will be discussed in more detail in another Skini segment/article.

Chemical

2) Chemical Exfoliation. Chemical exfoliants include scrubs containing e nzymes, alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) (glycolic acid) or betahydroxy acids (BHAS) (salicylic acid) which loosen the glue-like substance that holds the cells together, allowing them to slough away. Facial peels are a form of chemical exfoliation. They can either be very gentle or very aggressive, depending on how the strong the peel is.

What You Should Know About Facial Exfoliation:

Be extra careful with the delicate skin of your face.

It is possible to over exfoliate, especially on the delicate skin of the face. Over exfoliating will dry and irritate the skin. P rovided that exfoliating causes the skin to dry out, it is very important to moisturize it, because dry skin can lead to wrinkle development.

It's easy to over exfoliate. Talk to a good esthetician about the product and frequency that is best for your skin. You should be especially cautious if you have sensitive or aging skin.

Don't over exfoliate, especially in summer or in very sunny climates. You're making it easier for your skin to be damaged by the sun.

Never use body scrubs on the face. They're too rough.

Be very careful with peels. Don't get one peel and then go somewhere else to ask for another. You can remove too much of your protective layer and end up exposing the living dermis. Again, be careful about going out in the sun afterwards, or doing it in summer.

What You Should Know About Body Exfoliation:

You can use a body scrub once or twice a week with no problem.

Body brushing every morning is a gentle way to exfoliate -- and wake up!

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