Exfoliating Gets Rid of Dead Skin
Exfoliation is simply the removal of the oldest skin cells on the surface.
The practice of exfoliating actually started during the Middle Ages when wine was used to exfoliate the skin.
Today, there are many products and methods available to keep the skin fresh and healthy looking.
When skin is young, new cells last about thirty days, then they are replaced with more new cells.
The older scales are removed, keeping the skin fresh.
As women age, this process is slower and uneven, often creating a rough texture and drier skin.
Exfoliation serves a variety of purposes including the removal of the dead cells, unclogging pores, and preventing acne breakouts.
It should always be done on clean skin.
Men are not exempt from the need to keep their skin exfoliated.
It will smooth their skin while providing a closer, smoother shave.
It is also important to moisturize the skin to prevent dryness.
There are two basic types of exfoliation: mechanical and chemical.
Mechanical is more natural because it scrubs the skin with either exfoliation sheets, beaded facial scrubs, or products with abrasive materials included.
There are many products available in the store which contain apricot kernels which are very popular for the face.
For the body, there are a host of sugar and salt scrubs for the body.
Both types of these products simply involve applying them to damp, clean skin and rubbing gently over the surface.
The skin is delicate, so it is important to not scrub harshly or for a long period of time.
The process is designed to gently remove the old skin cells without damaging or over-drying the skin.
On the face, this can be accomplished easily and quickly with any of the facial scrubs.
After applying the product according to the directions, simply rinse the skin thoroughly and moisturize.
For the body, in addition to the salt and sugar scrubs, daily exfoliation may be accomplished using a loofah, body brush, or sponges.
This can easily be accomplished in the bath or shower, and the result is smooth, soft skin.
Chemical exfoliation often contains one of many acids applied in a highly concentrated form at the doctor's office, spa, or in less concentration at home.
While there are many types of acid used for this process, the intent is still to remove the outermost layer of skin, smooth the surface, and provide a healthy looking surface.
The types of acid include citric, salicylic, glycolic, malic, and fruit enzymes.
Other acids used include both alpha and beta hydroxy acids.
Salicylic acid is a natural product derived from the willow bark tree.
Because of its antiseptic properties, it is most often used for acne treatments.
Using a peel with salicylic acid is a great way to not only clean the skin, but unclog the oil buildup in the pores.
Both are important when treating acne.
The negative to overusing this treatment is often dry skin, so it is important to moisturize the skin daily with an oil-free product to keep the skin soft.
Glycolic peels are extremely popular when dealing with older skin.
Glycolic acid is very good at penetrating the skin and is used to repair skin damage.
Some of the benefits include the reduction in wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation, and acne scarring.
It may also be used to treat hyper-keratosis and seborrheic keratosis.
It is effective because, when applied to the skin, it weakens the binding properties and leaves live skin cells exposed.
When treated in a dermatologist's office, the concentration can be up to 70%.
The result is smoother skin, but it made leave the surface red for a few days.
There are now glycolic peels available over the counter that contain up to 30%.
These products, because they have a lesser concentration, are safe and effective for at home use.
They remove the dead cells, leaving the healthy skin visible.
Another positive is that they are less expensive, but used properly, provide excellent results.
Most of the chemical peels need to be applied by a dermatologist if the problem is severe, but those lesser strength products can be used in they home and provide very successful results.
It is important to follow the directions carefully when using these products to ensure you do not provide further damage to the skin.
The practice of exfoliating actually started during the Middle Ages when wine was used to exfoliate the skin.
Today, there are many products and methods available to keep the skin fresh and healthy looking.
When skin is young, new cells last about thirty days, then they are replaced with more new cells.
The older scales are removed, keeping the skin fresh.
As women age, this process is slower and uneven, often creating a rough texture and drier skin.
Exfoliation serves a variety of purposes including the removal of the dead cells, unclogging pores, and preventing acne breakouts.
It should always be done on clean skin.
Men are not exempt from the need to keep their skin exfoliated.
It will smooth their skin while providing a closer, smoother shave.
It is also important to moisturize the skin to prevent dryness.
There are two basic types of exfoliation: mechanical and chemical.
Mechanical is more natural because it scrubs the skin with either exfoliation sheets, beaded facial scrubs, or products with abrasive materials included.
There are many products available in the store which contain apricot kernels which are very popular for the face.
For the body, there are a host of sugar and salt scrubs for the body.
Both types of these products simply involve applying them to damp, clean skin and rubbing gently over the surface.
The skin is delicate, so it is important to not scrub harshly or for a long period of time.
The process is designed to gently remove the old skin cells without damaging or over-drying the skin.
On the face, this can be accomplished easily and quickly with any of the facial scrubs.
After applying the product according to the directions, simply rinse the skin thoroughly and moisturize.
For the body, in addition to the salt and sugar scrubs, daily exfoliation may be accomplished using a loofah, body brush, or sponges.
This can easily be accomplished in the bath or shower, and the result is smooth, soft skin.
Chemical exfoliation often contains one of many acids applied in a highly concentrated form at the doctor's office, spa, or in less concentration at home.
While there are many types of acid used for this process, the intent is still to remove the outermost layer of skin, smooth the surface, and provide a healthy looking surface.
The types of acid include citric, salicylic, glycolic, malic, and fruit enzymes.
Other acids used include both alpha and beta hydroxy acids.
Salicylic acid is a natural product derived from the willow bark tree.
Because of its antiseptic properties, it is most often used for acne treatments.
Using a peel with salicylic acid is a great way to not only clean the skin, but unclog the oil buildup in the pores.
Both are important when treating acne.
The negative to overusing this treatment is often dry skin, so it is important to moisturize the skin daily with an oil-free product to keep the skin soft.
Glycolic peels are extremely popular when dealing with older skin.
Glycolic acid is very good at penetrating the skin and is used to repair skin damage.
Some of the benefits include the reduction in wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation, and acne scarring.
It may also be used to treat hyper-keratosis and seborrheic keratosis.
It is effective because, when applied to the skin, it weakens the binding properties and leaves live skin cells exposed.
When treated in a dermatologist's office, the concentration can be up to 70%.
The result is smoother skin, but it made leave the surface red for a few days.
There are now glycolic peels available over the counter that contain up to 30%.
These products, because they have a lesser concentration, are safe and effective for at home use.
They remove the dead cells, leaving the healthy skin visible.
Another positive is that they are less expensive, but used properly, provide excellent results.
Most of the chemical peels need to be applied by a dermatologist if the problem is severe, but those lesser strength products can be used in they home and provide very successful results.
It is important to follow the directions carefully when using these products to ensure you do not provide further damage to the skin.
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