To exfoliate or not to exfoliate? Hint: NOT
Modern day skincare marketing may have you thinking you have to exfoliate in order to keep your skin appearing flawless and youthful. We’re here to burst that bubble and let you know exfoliation could actually be undermining all of your skincare efforts. What if we told you, you don’t need to undergo harsh and often expensive treatments to achieve healthy skin? Keep reading to learn about services to avoid and five simple steps you can take to achieve the skin of your dreams.
Contrary to popular belief, exfoliating the skin can actually cause lasting damage and is not a long-term solution. Since becoming a skincare ritual in the ’80s, exfoliating has been a misleading skincare practice. Back in the day, most assumed that because daughter cells migrated upwards through the epidermis that the skin exfoliated every 7 days. We now know the cellular exchange occurs every 14 to 28 days. However, the quality and amount of nutrition available to our skin have a direct impact on our rate of cellular exchange. You might be surprised to hear the epidermis, one of the outermost layers of the skin, is already proactively renewing itself without the use of chemicals and abrasives.
Let’s talk about a few common practices that you can skip to make both your skin and your wallet happy!
Microdermabrasion
Unfortunately, this very popular treatment is extremely temporary and does not benefit the skin in any way. The suction aspect of microdermabrasion creates temporary plumping and stretching of the skin, causing it to go lax and sag once the inflammation subsides leading to the reappearing of wrinkles. Regular treatments can also cause thickening of the skin, which minimizes product absorption.
"Scrub your floor, not your face!”
One of the more available and inexpensive tactics for exfoliating is using scrubs. These harsh and abrasive products can cause damage to one of the most important layers of your skin, the acid mantle. This layer of the skin, when healthy and intact, acts as a barrier to bacteria, viruses, and other potential contaminants that might penetrate the skin. Remember, pollutants are often smaller than the pores of our skin. Keeping your acid mantle healthy can help you reduce your overall toxic load.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is another treatment that only garners temporary results. The laser, combined with the heat source actually removes not only the epidermal barrier but the entire epidermis. The tight and plump feeling achieved after the treatment is due to the inflammation caused by the irritation. After the swelling has subsided, the desired results are no longer noticeable. Additionally, the body then works to replace the collagen lost during this treatment as opposed to producing excess collagen.
Pro Tip: Did you know one of the best ways to ensure your body is producing collagen is to get a restful night's sleep? Sleep is so crucial for recovery. A good night’s sleep promotes collagen production and allows the skin to make its strongest recovery.
Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids (AKA. Liquid Exfoliators)
One of the most commonly used methods of exfoliation is the use of Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids in skincare products. Think of these as liquid exfoliants. Similar to the use of lasers, acids wound the dermal-epidermal junction, which plumps up the skin to achieve the desired effect of firm and tight skin. Much like the above treatments, this is a temporary solution to achieving a youthful appearance.
Warning: If you are using skincare with beta hydroxy acid be aware that this can increase sun sensitivity.
While these are just a few of the treatments we see marketed these days, let’s dive into what you can do to promote healthy skin without the need for these services. Here at janegee, we believe in the power of the body and its ability to be self-healing when given the right nutrition and tools. Our clients have seen immense success when following our 5 Tenets of Healthy Skin!
- Cleanse: Set the foundation for what is to come. Balance the pH so the skin can function correctly, remove any excess dirt and debris, and promote a healthy acid mantle.
- Balance: Balance the energy In your skin. Yin and Yang oils are designed to balance circulation leaving our skin clear and even-toned. Increased circulation in the skin, provides your cells with the nutrients they need!
- Mineralize: The more minerals your skin has, the better it holds hydration. When the cells of your skin are hydrated, you will notice the appearance of wrinkles lessens. For fresh and glowing skin, replenish regularly with the bounty of nature.
- Hydrate: Hydrate, and moisturize your skin in a way that maintains the presence and balance of your skin’s natural defenses.
- Detox: As we stated above, pollution particles are finer than our pores. Detoxing your skin using natural clay will draw up those pollutants, dirt, and debris to prevent premature aging.
It’s simple, we believe less is always more. Listen to your skin, avoid treatments that can cause inflammation, and please remember, your skin can and will function without the added irritation of exfoliation treatments.
Photo Credit: Alexis the Greek, 2021
