The Importance of Exfoliation

Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. There are several different methods used in spa treatments and for home care. The surface of the skin consists of dead and dying cells which go through different levels from the dermis or fatty layer. As the cells move up from “birth” they go through changes until they reach the top layer where they are technically dead. The rate of this cellular turnover slows considerably as we age. Also factors like acne and dehydration can cause more cells to remain on the surface. Another factor in causing cells to stay on the surface is the combination of sebum and perspiration produced by the pores. It forms a glue-like substance that “sticks” to the dead cells.
The methods of exfoliation can be chemical, as in the use of acids and enzyme peels or physical like microdermabrasion and dermal-leveling. These are best left to professionals in the spa or doctor’s office. You can, however, exfoliate at home as often as you need with products like scrubs, gentle acid products (like cleansers that contain alpha hydroxy acids or chemical like two percent glycolic acid) and soft bristled manual brushes. There are also many brushes that can do the work for you, but they can be very expensive, and people have a tendency to over use them. Look for a natural bristle brush with a handle and use it as recommended by your skin care professional.
You shouldn’t use any strong chemicals or hard bristles on your face at home because you can do a lot of damage to your fragile skin. Dermal-leveling has become very a popular treatment because it not only removes the dead cells but also that fine layer of “peach fuzz” on your face. It gives you a smooth, glowing finish and makes make-up application easy and it helps the penetration of all those expensive product that you use on your skin. This treatment should only be performed by a licensed skin care professional in a medical setting. Inexperienced technicians can cause a great deal of damage to your face.
Call us at Beyond Harmony Med Spa for a free consultation on any of the methods we use for exfoliation. We’re located at 18635 Soledad Canyon Road in Canyon Country. We would be happy to answer all of your questions and design a treatment regimen for you in the spa and at home.