Fall is here! For many of us, it’s our favorite season due to nature’s gorgeous display of changing colors, the unpacking of cozy sweaters, and the ever popular, Pumpkin Spice EVERYTHING. But, fall is a transitional time of year for many of us as our skincare regimens that worked so well in the Summer, just don’t seem to cut it in regards to keeping us smooth, bright and hydrated in the Fall. Cooler temperatures and drier conditions can make us feel like we’re wearing a literal mask of dead skin cell buildup and leave us looking dull, dry and lackluster. It’s time to step up your exfoliation game and “Shed the Dead” with treatment options that unveil healthy, fresh and radiant skin!
What Is Exfoliation?
In “Skincare Speak,” exfoliation is anything you introduce to your skin, whether it be physical or chemical, which removes dead skin cells. Our skin actually has a natural process of exfoliation called, desquamation. This is the process of shedding old, dry, hardened skin cells so that fresh healthy ones can take their place! This process can be slowed down due to climate, skin condition, disease and the aging process.
Why Is Exfoliation Important?
Exfoliation is crucial for ALL skin types and conditions. It helps unclog pores and discourage blemishes in oily/acneic skin. It can increase circulation and gradually remove sun damage on more mature and hyperpigmented skin. By gently sloughing away the dead skin cells that may be irritating to a hair follicle, exfoliation can soothe sensitized inflamed skin and even prevent ingrown hairs! The benefits go beyond just wanting your skin to look amazing and glowing; your skin truly needs exfoliation to be healthy! It’s really just a matter of finding out which type, or method of exfoliation is right for YOU!
3 Treatments that are Exfoliation Superstars!
Exfoliating Skincare
Having a Licensed Esthetician prescribe a skincare regimen that is customized to your skin type and skin condition can be the key to consistently healthy and beautiful skin. A professional will be able to match your skin, and your goals for your skin, to the correct exfoliating products. Although gentle scrubs feel great and are fantastic options for some skin conditions, many Licensed Estheticians” favor chemical exfoliants which are left on the skin and can be customized to specific skin conditions. For example, products which contain derivatives of Vitamin A, such as retinols, are great options for aging skin as they not only regulate cell turnover, but encourage new collagen formation to fight wrinkles. Salicylic Acid is an effective exfoliant for oily and acneic skin as this ingredient is attracted to oil and can actually remove dead cell build up within a pore and prevent breakouts! Exfoliants such as glycolic acid are wonderful if you have more lethargic skin that needs a circulation boost.
As you can see, there are MANY options on the homecare front when it comes to exfoliation! A Licensed Esthetician will help you navigate the options that are best for you and your skin!
Dermablading & Microdermabrasion
Dermablading and Microdermabrasion are two options which PHYSICALLY remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. Dermablading involves the use of a rounded, butter blade scalpel that is precisely drawn across the skin in short, gentle strokes. Not only does this method remove any dead skin cell build up, it also removes all of that peach fuzz, or vellus hair, on your skin’s surface. This makes dermablading a wonderful option for special events, as your makeup will set evenly and look flawless!
There are two forms of Microdermabrasion. One method blasts tiny, sand-like crystals at the skin while simultaneously vacuuming them up with a small hand piece. This is, in essence, like sandblasting the surface of the skin to knock off and whisk away any buildup. In an alternate method, a small hand piece with an encrusted diamond tip is dragged back and forth across the skin with vacuum suction to buff away dead cells. Microdermabrasion is a great option for those with more hearty, resilient skin types.
Chemical Peels
Unlike Dermablading and Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peels create a chemical reaction on the skin that causes cells to detach and slough off, or peel, over time. Many Licensed Estheticians” favor chemical peels because it allows them to customize the peel to your specific skin concern by choosing specific acids. They can even choose chemical peels that blend together multiple acids for multifaceted results! Chemical peels, when done on a regular basis, can also encourage new collagen growth over time and have benefits that extend far beyond just keeping you smooth and exfoliated!
Picture your skin like bricks and mortar. The bricks are dead skin cells and the mortar is tacky sebum, our skin’s oil, that keeps the bricks together. When a Licensed Esthetician applies a chemical peel in office, the peel is attracted to the mortar and slips between the cracks of the bricks. After a few days, that mortar is dissolved and the bricks begin to lift away and shed. Most peeling begins 2 to 3 days after your treatment and can continue for up to 10 days.
HydraFacial MD®
HydraFacial MD® is truly the best of both worlds when it comes to exfoliation! It combines the PHYSICAL exfoliation properties of Microdermabrasion to knock off dead skin cells instantly, with a light chemical peel to brighten your skin for days after treatment! What makes HydraFacial MD® so unique is that is does this while infusing the skin with nutrient rich cleansers, exfoliating solutions, and solvents which saturate your skin with antioxidants and humectants.
Hydrafacial MD® is truly 4 treatments in ONE. It starts with an exfoliating cleanse of the skin with a hand piece that bathes the surface with deep cleansers and simultaneously sloughs off dead skin cells with a mildly abrasive tip which suctions away all debris. Next, a light chemical peel is applied evenly over the skin which is customized to your skin condition. If needed, gentle, suction assisted extractions are performed next to deeply detoxify your pores. Lastly, your skin is infused with a powerhouse cocktail serum of antioxidants, humectants and brighteners. You’ll look glowing, bright and smooth for days to come. Because of its multi-faceted benefits, many patients choose to maintain their skin on a monthly basis with HydraFacial MD® to keep their skin healthy and radiant all year around!
As you can see, there are many forms of exfoliation and key benefits to each. Partnering with a Licensed Esthetician who can assist you in identifying your skin type and skin condition is key to getting your best results! She’ll also prescribe a seasonal approach to exfoliation which will ensure you look your best regardless of the season!
Ready to “Shed the Dead” and get your Holiday glow on? Schedule any of the services described above, or a consultation to get you started, with a Face Cosmetic Skincare Licensed Esthetician by calling (651) 632-9700!