Instant gratification is a common expression now days… and why not, after all, technology shows us that things can be reached in no time.
The problem emerges when we become so used to that fast rhythm that we expect all things to happen at the speed of light.
Great changes can certainly be achieved in your skin relatively quickly when the correct skin care is used but in the skin’s own world, things have a specific time.
We all have heard many times that exfoliation is good for the skin because it removes dead skin cells and encourages new cells to come to the surface giving your skin a more youthful glow.
Well… yes, that is true… in part.
The skin does benefit from regular exfoliation especially when it is dry and flaky, or excessively oily causing congestion manifested in black and/or whiteheads. The normal exfoliating period for the skin naturally occurs approximately every 28 days. However; as we grow in age or for other health reasons the cycle extends and becomes longer. When this happens dead skin cells cling on to the skin for a longer period of time giving the skin a dull, lifeless appearance.
But before we get into more exfoliation details, one very important thing we need to consider is that the skin has a protective barrier made out of crucial components such as: cholesterol, free fatty acids and ceramides. These elements create a lipidic shield that isolate the skin protecting it from harmful chemicals, bacteria, enviromental factors and to maintain healthy levels of moisture and hydration and every time we exfoliate the skin we disrupt temporarily the skin’s protective barrier. The more aggressive the exfoliation the longer it takes for the lipidic barrier to repair itself.
There are many types of exfoliants; chemical in the form of acids, enzymes which break down protein, one of the main components of dead skin cells (keratin) and physical better known as scrubs.
Like I said before, exfoliation can be beneficial for the skin when it is done the right way. How often to exfoliate is determined by the skin type and condition as well as the method being used. Sensitive skin for instance, could be negatively affected by over- exfoliation because it already presents a weak lipidic barrier, hence it gets irritated more easily.
Over-exfoliating the skin can cause many problems, including:
-Skin Sensitivities
-Inflammation
-Breakouts
-Over production of sebum (Skin natural oils)
-Dehydration
-Excessive Dryness
and many more…
One more tip: If you receive professional treatments such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing etc.. make sure to follow the advice of the professional for your post-care which is essential to obtain optimum results. It is very important to treat the skin gently and to avoid harsh ingredients while the lipidic barrier is being restored.
Removing dead skin cells can certainly give you a radiant glow but maintaining a healthy skin protective barrier is crucial to the overall functioning of the skin.
Over-exfoliation causes irritation and inflammation and that leads to oxidation which promotes AGING.
So as we can see MORE IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER…
Thank you for being here.
Until next time,
Dora Salazar
Medical Aesthetician
Founder of Zkin Fix Skincare
