As we age, skin-cell turnover slows from a normal cycle of 24 to 28 days to as many as 38 days or more. However, regular exfoliation can promote the shedding of the skin’s dull, outer layer—and the fine lines and discoloration that reside there. Help your skin act younger with these offerings that sync up with any preference and skin type.
Exfoliation has many benefits for the skin. The most obvious is the elimination of the dead skin, which allows treatment products to better penetrate the skin. By removing this layer—called the stratum corneum—irregular pigment there goes with it. You’ll also see improvement in the skin’s overall appearance and texture.
At-home vs. in-office
At-home exfoliation not only polishes the skin, but can also help prepare it for other in-office treatments. In-office exfoliation treatments such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion go deeper, and help the skin replenish itself by stimulating cell regrowth.
Different types of exfoliation are appropriate for different types of skin. If you are currently under a dermatologist or plastic surgeon’s care, it’s important to check with your doctor before exfoliating, especially if you’re using prescription products or undergoing laser treatments of any kind.
How much is enough?
While a little postexfoliation redness is OK, overly treating the skin can damage it. Also, it’s not necessary to exfoliate every day. Once a week is sufficient for most skin types, but oily or acne-prone skin can benefit from two treatments per week to prevent pores from getting clogged. This is why it’s important to know your skin type, and when in doubt, seek out the advice of a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
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