Our skin is on guard duty 24/7. It protects us from bacteria, viruses, and toxins in the environment every moment of every day. That’s a lot to ask of our skin – on top of which, we want it to look radiant and glowing.
Although skin cells are continually renewing themselves, aging and environmental influences can block this renewal process. Exfoliation helps reveal healthy skin, bringing forth the glow and clarity we crave.
A multilayer organ – the largest organ in our bodies – our skin consists of three distinct layers of tissue:
- Epidermis
- Subcutaneous layer
- Dermis
The epidermis is the top or outermost layer – the layer we typically identify as our skin. It is a very thin layer of tissue, and its uppermost layer is made up of dead skin cells. Typically, we wash these dead skin cells off, or they flake off by themselves. New cells then take their place. So, in a constant cycle of renewal, your skin cells regenerate and then die off each month.
But, as we get older, our skin loses its ability to renew itself, and a variety of substances can clog up the dead-skin-cell-shedding process. For example, oil or residue from lotions on the skin can create a sticky layer that traps dead skin cells. Pollution and poor circulation due to smoking cigarettes or other health conditions can also block skin pores. All these issues hinder the natural renewal process.
How Exfoliation Works
Exfoliation involves scrubbing or peeling off the pollutants stuck to your skin, such as dirt, trapped dead skin cells, and oils. It also stimulates circulation and opens pores, enabling your skin to receive vital oxygen and nutrients.
There are two basic types of exfoliation:
· MANUAL. Manual exfoliation uses special abrasive materials suspended in a moisturizing cream or lotion. Microdermabrasion is a gentle cosmetic procedure that uses tiny crystals as the abrasive agent. It is a nonsurgical, in-office treatment to exfoliate the skin and remove damaged or dead facial skin cells.
· CHEMICAL. Chemical exfoliation, also called a chemical peel, does not require any scrubbing. Typically, chemical peels consist of a smooth, watery gel. There are different types of chemical peel solutions; some are very mild while others are stronger. Gentle solutions, such as citric-acid-based products, may be best for people with very sensitive skins and mildly clogged pores and skin. For people with oily and blemished skins, more advanced, stronger chemical peel treatments may be best.
HydraFacial is a unique facial treatment that simultaneously cleanses, exfoliates, and extracts to get rid of impurities and dead skin cells while quenching skin with vital nutrients like antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. HydraFacial provides long-lasting results that you can see right away, with no down time.
At The Vein Institute & MediSpa in Kingwood, Texas, we are skilled in cosmetic body treatments designed to rejuvenate your skin and give you a more youthful appearance. Call us at (281) 312-0208 to ask what type of exfoliation treatment or other aesthetic options would work best for you, or request an appointment online.
