How much is too much exfoliation?
Exfoliation delivers a tighter, firmer, smoother look and feel of the skin and can reduce breakouts and pore size, but because the results are so noticeable many of us will easily fall into the trap of over-exfoliation. This over zealous approach can actually reduce your skin's vitality and make it more susceptible to damage from UV light as well as lines and wrinkles. Over-exfoliation can lead to a compromised lipid barrier that increases skin sensitivity and accelerates premature aging.
If your skin is noticeably dehydrated or has patchy areas of dryness, is overly taught, itchy or red, if you have increased sensitivity or inflamed acne or irritation you may be over-exfoliating. In most cases a calming cleanser and toner and a protective moisturizer will start the recovery process for skin healing from over-exfoliation. And as usual sun protection is a must!
After your skin has recovered you can begin exfoliating again with a gentle exfoliant designed for daily use or a more intense non-abrasive chemical exfoliant like Salicylic Acid or Lactic Acid - To enjoy smoother skin without without the undesirable side effects pair a more gentle regimen with professional exfoliation treatments from your professional skin care therapist.
If you're suffering from over-exfoliation and need product help or are interested in booking a series of exfoliating microderm-abrasion treatments or peels please give us a call to schedule your next appointment with one of our highly trained skincare professionals (310) 577-2211.