Exfoliation is one of many ways to keep your complexion clear and your skin smooth and glowing. However, you must know when to incorporate deep exfoliation. Let’s explore the signs that standard exfoliators aren’t cutting it, and how to update your skincare routine.
What is exfoliation?
Exfoliation is an essential part of every skincare routine. It’s a method of sloughing away the dead skin cells that sit on top of your skin. This buildup clogs your skin and makes it difficult for serums to penetrate your pores and for anti-aging moisturizers to hydrate and repair. It may also be whey your makeup is no longer going on smoothly.
When dead skin cells build up, it can make fine lines and wrinkles more pronounced and leave your skin:
- Oily
- Dull
- Rough
- Acne-prone
- Uneven
- Dry
Do I need to exfoliate my body too?
Yes, your skin from head to toe needs exfoliators. Even your scalp. You can find scalp exfoliating masks and massagers. Exfoliating scalp massagers also feel amazing!
For your body, loofas, body brushes, and granular exfoliators will slough away dead skin cells.
What is deep exfoliation?
Standard granular exfoliators are sufficient for exfoliating in your teens, 20s, and into your 30s. From your 40s on, deep exfoliation is required.
As we age, cellular turnover slows down. This makes it harder for your skin to self-exfoliate, especially the skin on your face. Standard exfoliators can’t keep up, so you’ll need to explore your options in deeper treatments.
Deeper treatments include:
- Spa facials
- Dermaplaning
- Microdermabrasion
- Peels
- Topical/chemical exfoliators
Scrubbing harder and exfoliating more isn’t the answer
You must always scrub gently when using granular exfoliators. Scrubbing harder doesn’t do a “better” job. The harder you scrub, the more likely it is you’ll irritate or damage your skin. Using standard exfoliators more often, won’t lift suborn dead skin cells. Deeper treatments are required if standard products aren’t smoothing your skin.
Deep exfoliating your body
The skin on most areas of the body isn’t as sensitive as the face. Just be mindful that the neck, décolletage, breasts, and hands have thinner skin.
The skin on your body isn’t as oil-prone as your face. You’re also likely to apply fewer skincare products and makeup to your body. So, unless you use body makeup, including self-tanner, your daily loofa is likely to be sufficient into your 60s. Dry brushing and firmer loofas can be used when your body requires deeper exfoliation.
In your 60s+, the visible buildup of skin on your arms, legs, and body. Consult your physician for guidance. They’ll likely suggest upgrading your exfoliation, body lotion, and full-body skincare routine.
How often to use standard exfoliators?
The skin on the face needs to be exfoliated 1 to 3 times a week, even if you have sensitive skin. Although your skin self-exfoliates, the skin on the face needs some assistance. Between oil, skincare products, and makeup the skin can’t effectively slough away skin cells. Even if you wash your face every morning and evening, gentle exfoliation is required.
However, some products can be used more frequently. For example, some like to use silicone cleansing brushes every evening to remove makeup. These brushes provide a deeper clean and double as gentle daily exfoliation.
How often to deep exfoliate?
Deep exfoliators must be used as directed. Misusing any skincare products can damage your skin, but misusing deep exfoliators can severely damage your skin. Deep exfoliate as directed and use standard exfoliators between deeper treatments. Skin may be more sensitive the first few days after deep exfoliation and you’ll need to wait a week or so to begin using cleansing brushes and standard exfoliators.
Below are general exfoliating guidelines:
- Spa facials: Every 4 to 6 weeks, or quarterly in your 20s and 30s.
- Dermaplaning: Every 7 to 30 days depending on how quickly skin builds up.
- Microdermabrasion: Every 2 to 4 weeks, or quarterly in your 20s and 30s.
- Peels: As directed, but most transition to at-home topical products.
- Topical/chemical: As directed by the product instructions.
What is the best spa facial?
Tailoring your facial to your skin’s current needs is the most effective way to rejuvenate your skin. So, instead of choosing the trendiest facial, or what sounds good in the description, ask your esthetician for their opinion. You’re likely to require a different facial in the winter than you do in the summer, and different treatments as your skin matures.
Should you dermaplane at home?
Although at-home dermaplaning blades differ from surgical-grade blades utilized by estheticians, we don’t suggest dermaplaning at home.
Should you use at-home microdermabrasion tools?
We don’t suggest using medical-grade products at home as the risk of damaging your skin is too high. If you must, invest in brand-name tools and use them as directed.
Should you use any at-home skincare devices?
There are many at-home skincare and deep exfoliating devices that are generally safe and effective for at-home use.
Products likely to be safe for most when used as directed:
- Facial rollers
- Gua sha tools
- Silicone cleansing brushes
- Facial steamers
- Some LED therapy masks
- Cooling rollers and masks
Devices that should be administered at a med spa:
- Microneedling
- Derma rolling
- Microdermabrasion
- Laser therapy
- Microplanning/dermaplaning
- Microcurrent devices
- Biomechanical vibrations
- Knockoffs of brand-name devices
Do chemical exfoliators hurt?
In-spa chemical peels leave your skin sensitive. Minimize sensitivity by following pre- and post-care instructions. Also, by choosing a reputable esthetician, dermatologist, or physician. However, chemical peels are decreasingly popular.
Topical products that contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) or beta hydroxy acids (BHA) are gentle and effective when used as directed. Although they’re a chemical exfoliator, they resurface your skin without scrubbing. Some chemical exfoliators are left on overnight and some are rinsed off after a designated amount of time. Just be mindful of using both BHA and AHA products at the same time as the combination can irritate your skin.
Is Exfoliation Anti-Aging?
Yes! Every step in your skincare routine provides anti-aging benefits.
- Washing: Removes oil, makeup, skincare products, and daily grime so that your skin can breathe.
- Toning: Rebalances your skin’s pH levels, as even gentle cleansers can strip your skin’s natural moisture layer.
- Serum: Penetrates your pores, delivering antioxidants that minimize daily oxidative damage.
- Moisturizers: Hydrates your skin, provides a protective moisture layer, and contains anti-aging ingredients.
- Broad-spectrum UV protection: Protects skin from the sun, the blue lights of electronic devices, and other aging rays.
- Weekly exfoliators: Removes the dead skin cell buildup that clogs pores.
- Weekly deep cleansers: Extracts impurities from skin better than standard cleansers.
What to Expect After Deep Exfoliation?
Your body is intelligent. It naturally works to repair oxidative stress and regenerate healthy new cells. This natural restorative process occurs while you sleep. It’s one of the reasons your skin doesn’t look like it’s best when you don’t get enough sleep. It’s also why sleep is linked with whole-body health and premature aesthetic aging.
You’ll instantly see and feel the benefits of deep exfoliators, including:
- Instant glow
- Smoothing skin
- Softening skin
- Even skin tone
- Enhanced product absorption
- Flawless makeup application
- Minimize fine lines
- Gradually fade scarring
Follow any type of exfoliation by applying nutrient-rich serum and anti-aging cream. It’s also an excellent time to use a hydrating sheet mask. This restores the skin’s moisture layer and accelerates skin renewal. Maybe apply a clay mask after standard exfoliators, but not after most deep treatments.
How does exfoliation minimize fine lines and wrinkles?
When dead skin cells build up on top of areas of fine lines or deeper wrinkles, it increases their depth. Exfoliating decreases depth, minimizing the visible signs of aging.
How does exfoliation fade scars?
Exfoliation promotes cellular turnover. This helps to accelerate the rate at which acne scars, sunspots, and other hyperpigmentation fade. The fastest way to even out your skin tone and fade scars is with Lumecca Peak.
This revolutionary method of intense light therapy takes 20 to 30 minutes and delivers results after the very first session!
What about my feet?
Exfoliating your feet is an entirely different conversation. The skin on the top of your feet is thin, but the skin on your heels is thick. Spa pedicures, at-home foot baths, foot pumices, and foot lotions keep your feet looking their best. If your heels are severely cracked, wear gel heel socks while sleeping.
Don’t forget to apply UV protection to the top and sides of your feet when wearing sandals.
Can bioidentical hormone replacement therapy improve my skin?
Many women begin exploring their options in deep exfoliation during perimenopause. Declining estrogen levels during perimenopause can affect skin texture and contribute to dryness.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may reduce dryness and improve texture. You’ll also need to transition to face, neck, and whole-body serums and moisturizers designed for mature skin.
Let’s Discuss How Med Spa Treatments Can Restore Your Glow
Valley Medical Weight Loss and Med Spa doesn’t offer standard facials, but we offer a range of aesthetic treatments proven to stimulate collagen production and cellular regeneration. Many of our treatments support your body’s natural self-exfoliation process. We can even discuss the benefits of injecting hyaluronic acid underneath your skin to smooth skin, restore moisture, and restore your glow.
