The Need to Exfoliate the Skin

Our skin constantly shed skin cells. In this process, the healthy and smoother skin cells push their way up to the skin’s surface. However, as we age, shedding of dead skin cells start to slow down.

To explain exfoliation simply, it is physically and chemically removing dead and dulling skin cells. Exfoliation helps speed up your skin’s process and make it behave younger. Studies say that the adult skin usually takes 40-60 days for their skin to fully regenerate completely. In addition to that, the production of collagen (a protein crucial to skin’s firmness and elasticity) also decreases with age. This means progressively-thinning, structurally weakened skin.

Physical exfoliation works in the top layer of the skin to slough off dead, dulling surface cells. This is with the help of micro-fine granules and natural beads. As to the chemical exfoliation, this dissolves the intracellular glue that holds dead skin cells together. Chemical exfoliators penetrate deeper into the skin. This is recommended for skin that has deep congestion, more resistive or those who cannot tolerate physical exfoliation.

There are few benefits of exfoliating your skin:

• Reduces blackheads
• Unclog and minimizes the pores
• Sweep away fine lines and wrinkles
• Controls excess oil
• Brightens dull skin
• Improves skin tone
• Soften skin texture and enhances clarity
• Lightens hyperpigmentation
• Helps skin behave younger

A few tips on exfoliating:

1. Less is (always) more. Exfoliating once or twice a week is sufficient.
2. If you opt to dry brush, use soft and natural bristles. It’s easy to brush too hard. So make sure the bristles are pliable and brush lightly.
3. Avoid fruit pits and nut shells in scrubs. Unpolished or jagged edges and particles can cause micro-tears to your skin. This will result in damaging the skin’s barrier. Go for scrubs with smooth, polished and round granules.
4. The more aggressive the method, the less it needs to be done. Aggressive methods are not our preferred way to exfoliate. But if you go for it, space treatment out to avoid harming your skin’s barriers.
5. Find the right exfoliator for your skin’s needs. Always read labels and be careful in choosing your exfoliators. Not all exfoliants are created equally.

Remember, aggressive chemical or mechanically exfoliating your skin can aggravate underlying skin conditions and even make it worse. Consult your dermatologist for the right and proper exfoliation method that you need for your skin. Get to know the best way to exfoliate with Shinagawa. Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 368 5238 | (+63) 917 862 7454 | (+63) 921 217 0517 to get your FREE CONSULTATION and for the full list of options to exfoliating to better and brighter skin.