If you’re the type of person who is willing to make skin care a priority, then you’re probably more than happy to put in as much time as necessary to achieve the look of healthy, glowing skin. For most skin-conscious individuals, the daily skin care routine includes a number of basics, including cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. However, for the ultimate in radiant skin, another aspect of skin care must be incorporated on a somewhat regular basis — exfoliation. Roxanna Liu is a licensed aesthetician at Bastrop Total Skin Care, a Texas-based medical spa, and she agrees that exfoliation is a key component to skin maintenance and treatment.
Exfoliation is the process of removing of older skin cells that cling to the skin’s outermost surface. According to Liu, the skin follows a natural cycle in which the top layers of skin lift up and exfoliate away on their own. However, as we get older, the natural exfoliation process tends to slow down. For many, this can result in skin that is dull, rough to the touch, and not as young-looking as it should be. When skin is exfoliated appropriately, it begins to looks fresher and smoother because those lackluster outer layers are removed in time to reveal the glowing layer of skin underneath. Therefore, if you’re looking to preserve the look of healthy, youthful skin, then it’s wise to take the exfoliation process into your own hands.
There are a number of ways in which the effects of exfoliation can be achieved. Certain medical spa treatments, such as facials and chemical peels, incorporate methods of exfoliation to reveal smoother, younger skin. Plenty of at-home exfoliating products are on the market that, for many, are more cost-effective than visiting a local medical spa on a regular basis.
When it comes to exfoliation, it can be difficult for many people to know how often to go about the process. After all, exfoliation is only effective when performed in moderation. By exfoliating too often, you could end up damaging your skin, leaving it dull, dry, and irritated. This especially applies to the facial skin, which tends to be a lot more sensitive than the rest of your bodily skin. Therefore, if you’re truly committed to having great skin, then your best bet with respect to exfoliation to is consult with a licensed skin care specialist who can evaluate the condition of your skin and advise you as to how often you ought to go about the exfoliation process.
According to Liu, there are no hard and fast rules as far as exfoliation is concerned. Some people need to do it on a regular daily basis, while others might be best served exfoliating once a week at the most. Additionally, not all exfoliating products are created equal, and different formulas are bound to work well for varying skin types. For some people — especially those who are prone to acne and breakouts - salicylic acid works well for exfoliation purposes. For other people, exfoliating scrubs with vitamin A derivatives are often a good choice. Also, certain types of skin don’t need a lot of exfoliation, in which case, using warm washcloth without any particular scrub or product might be the best way to go. Since everybody’s skin is different, the best way to determine how often to exfoliate and which type of scrub to purchase is to ask an expert who can use her expertise to guide you accordingly.
Of course, once you do begin to follow your recommended exfoliating schedule, you’ll probably start to find that your skin seems to look fresher and more radiant than ever before. And since exfoliating is not such a time-consuming process, there’s no reason not to tack it on to your general skin care routine.
Whether you’re new to the world of exfoliation or simply want reassurance that you’re doing it right, you’ll be doing yourself and your skin a great service by consulting with a medical spa professional on how to go about the process. After all, if you’re going to exfoliate, then you might as well do everything in your power to assure that you’re using the right formula in order to achieve the most radiant, breathtaking results.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
