Exfoliation or Getting Rid of Dead Skin

Exfoliation (the getting rid of dead skin cells) is a crucial step in any skin care program. If dead skin cells are not properly removed,  Skin becomes  pale and lifeless, since these cells dull the pink glow of healthy skin. Frequently, wrinkles become noticeable.

It is also bad for your health. Cell build-up leads to Dehydration ,poor oxidation,  formation of blemishes rough, unevenly-texture skin .

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What Happens to Dead Skin Cells after they are formed?

The result of this buildup of dead cells is dull, flat-looking skin that has lost its vitality and glow.

What Can You Do About It?

All skin types, but especially oily and mature skins.

There are two main types of products on the market that facilitate exfoliation, sloughing accelerators and mechanical exfoliates. They can be used together in daily and weekly care programs but make sure you start with effective daily cleansing.

Sloughing accelerators - contain various combinations of acids and other exfoliation ingredients which dissolve the intercellular cement which holds the dead cells on the surface together. Once the intercellular cement is dissolved, cells are no longer attached and are easily removed. The two most prominent sloughing accelerators are alpha-hydroxy acids and salicylic acid.

 In top-notch exfoliating cleansers, these acids are combined with plant extracts that add skin-soothing and moisturizing properties

 Two tips to keep in mind when using sloughing accelerators:

First, you should use a cleanser that contains both oil and water. 

The oils, when applied to the skin, heat up to skin temperature and melt the skin's natural sebum, thereby loosening the cells that have become lodged in it. The water phase removes the water-soluble pollutants that had become attached.

Second you should be careful in your choice of a facecloth or sponge. 

Cosmetic sponges gently aid in dislodging stubborn cells while you wipe off the cleanser. Whichever you use should be washed regularly. It's more usual to boil a cosmetic sponge than a facecloth, but this is the surest way to destroy any bacteria growing in the moist environment they provide.

Mechanical exfoliates physically remove the cells from the surface of the skin. Mechanical exfoliates not only aid in sloughing unwanted cells, they refine the texture of the skin and stimulate cell renewal. They further benefit the skin by leaving it ideally prepared for subsequent caring or intensive treatments.

The two most common types of mechanical exfoliate are scrubs and peels. One caution when using mechanical exfoliate - be sure to avoid the delicate, easily-damaged mouth and eye areas.

 The dead skin cells are physically rubbed off with a body scrub that might use sugar or salt, On the face, scrubs should use small, round, gentle abrasives like jojoba beads. Stay away from something harsh like apricot scrubs, which can cause micro-tears in your skin

What You Should Know About Facial Exfoliation:

·         Be extra careful with the delicate skin of your face.

·         It's easy to over exfoliate. You should be especially cautious if you have sensitive or aging skin.

·         Be careful not to overdo . It can make thin, aging skin even thinner if you get too many treatments too quickly.

·         Don't over exfoliate, especially in summer or in very sunny climates. You're making it easier for your skin to be damaged by the sun.

·         Never use body scrubs on the face. they're too rough.

·         Be very careful with peels. Don't get one peel and then go somewhere else to ask for another. You can remove too much of your protective layer and end up exposing the living dermis. Again, be careful about going out in the sun afterwards, or doing it in summer.

          

·         Never wax if you've had a peel recently. It might expose raw, living skin, which will have to scab over to heal.

How To Give Yourself A Body Scrub At Home

·         You can buy a nice body scrub, make your own body scrub at home. 

·         Soften the skin first by soaking ten to fifteen minutes in a warm tub. Add a relaxing essential oil like lavender, or rose-petals to make it more relaxing. Let the tub drain, and pat yourself  dry.

·         Place a towel on the edge of your tub and sit on it. If you're using a body scrub, put a little bit in the palm of your hand and rub it over the skin. I usually start with my lower legs.

·         Roll up a moist washcloth and rub your skin, spending at least a minute or two in each area. If you go too quickly, you don't get the full exfoliation. Don't scour too hard or too long, especially if you're using an abrasive salt scrub!

·         Stand up when it's time to do your backside. Make sure you have steady footing.

·         The back is the trickiest part. Reach where you can, or ask your partner to help. A body brush with a long handle can get to the spots between your shoulders.

·         When you're done, rinse under the shower.Don't give yourself a body scrub while the shower is running. The scrub will just melt away.

More at-Home Body Scrub Tips·  

       A home body scrub once a week should keep your skin smooth.·
  If your skin starts looking irritated, cut back on the frequency of scrubs or try something gentler than salt, like a sugar scrub.

       Never use a body scrub on your face! It's way too harsh.                                   

Continuing to capture youthful glow and vitality in your skin takes time and planning. But any effective program will start with the importance of 
good cleansing.

 Regular clearing away of excess debris and building surface of the skin (through exfoliation) encourages new cell regeneration, improves the 
health of the skin, and starts it on the path to becoming smooth and soft skin.


MAMA

Beauty for me is, being comfortable in your own skin.