The Truth about Exfoliation

Exfoliation is a hot button word that carries a great deal of weight, even if most people don’t truly understand the mechanisms at work during exfoliation. And while facial exfoliation is commonly recommended by skincare professionals, we can’t forget about exfoliation of the rest of the body!

What is Exfoliation, and Why Does It Matter?

Exfoliation is a process that removes dead skin cells that sit on the surface and cause the skin to look duller, older, and more worn. If these dead cells aren’t regularly removed, they pile up unevenly on the skin’s surface to create that unwanted dry, rough appearance. Overall, exfoliation helps make way for new skin cells that look and feel rejuvenated.

More Than Just the Face

Exfoliation for the face is very important, but the same rule applies to the rest of your body. In fact, if you exfoliate two to four times per week all over your body, not only will your skin stay smoother, but you’ll notice moisturizers working more effectively and far less unwanted age spots, ingrown hairs, and breakouts. Exfoliation is also valuable for minimizing pore size and keeping the skin generally radiant.

Exfoliation Methods

First and foremost, you cannot rely upon cheap exfoliation methods because they risk tearing the delicate tissue that forms the skin. Tears will make matters worse, not better, and open you to the risk of infection. Instead, seek exfoliation services from your favorite medical spa. The experts at medical spas understand the biology of the skin and how to best wash away dead skin without harming the fresh new skin underneath.

You may opt for mechanical exfoliation, which is usually done using microdermabrasion with diamond-tipped tools. This type of abrasive carefully and precisely rubs away dead skin cells for dramatic results. There’s also the option of chemical exfoliation that is done with enzymes and other substances that slough away unhealthy skin cells. Some are more potent and aggressive than others, so start mild and work your way up once you see how your skin reacts.