Whether it be for a fun in-home spa night, or for simply a skin care ritual, exfoliate for all the right reasons! Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells built up on the surface of your skin. Treatments can range from very gentle to deep and abrasive, and in both mechanical or chemical form.
Benefits of Exfoliation Include:
- Improves texture, cleaner pores, and soft/supple and breathable skin
- Improves skin tone and “glow”
- Allows fresh skin cells that are brought to the surface to shine
- Anti-aging skin treatment, that’s both preventative and corrective
- Improves circulation and lymphatic drainage while massaging and scrubbing the skin
- Improves product absorption rate by allowing products to be absorbed deeper within the epidermis and dermis (i.e. they don’t have to work as hard to reach the finish line)
- Prevention and improvement of Keratosis Pilaris
- Prevention of ingrown hairs
Types of Exfoliation
1. Mechanical
Mechanical exfoliation uses a tool for exfoliation which could be a brush or sponge, or a scrub to physically remove dead skin cells.
One example of mechanical exfoliation is the Vivier Vitamin C Scrub. A revitalizing scrub enhanced with Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and microbeads, leaves the skin feeling soft and looking vibrant. To use a mechanical scrub like this one, the INLIV Medical Aesthetics team advises you to lightly dampen your face or the area to be exfoliated, then massage the product in gentle circular motions, rinse and pat dry.
2. Chemical
Chemical exfoliation uses chemicals, such as alpha and beta hydroxy acids, to gently dissolve and eliminate dead skin cells.
At INLIV, our chemical peel treatments are administered by a nurse. These chemical peel treatments are exfoliation products in which acids are used to exfoliate rather than beads through friction. Some chemical peels are meant to remove the outermost layer of buildup and debris while stronger peels work by penetrating deeper causing more of that actual “peeling” effect. These peels have a greater effect on fine lines, wrinkles, scarring and pigmentation.
Time invested in your skin now supports your long-term skin health
Whichever exfoliation treatment you choose, your skin will feel softer and shine brighter after an exfoliation treatment. Our INLIV Medical Aesthetic Registered Nurse, Nadia Zinchuk, says “everyone can benefit from exfoliation, however keeping the frequency to once a week is best. Over exfoliation can cause more harm than good.”
These are some signs to watch out for over exfoliation:
- Redness and skin irritation
- Overproduction of oil
- Increased breakouts
- Dry, patchy, flakey skin
If you want to know more about how exfoliation can better your skin, book a complimentary consultation session with Nurse Nadia.