Exfoliating is a key to achieving clear, healthy skin. It helps remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, revealing a new layer of fresh skin that is smoother and more radiant. Exfoliating also offers the added benefit of minimizing pore size and reducing the look of lines and wrinkles.
When done right, exfoliating can revive your skin and boost its luminosity. The sad part is many of us don’t know how to properly exfoliate. Some people do it aggressively or more often than recommended, while others skip it altogether. Continue as we dive a little deeper into face exfoliation to find out how often you should do it.
As previously mentioned, exfoliation refers to the process of removing dead skin cells from the topmost layers of the skin. This cleans the skin and brightens your complexion, as well as enables the active ingredients in your skincare products to penetrate deeper and work their magic or what they are intended to do.
What exfoliating does is help break down some of the dead surface cells that usually lead to dullness and a tired-looking appearance. It can also speed up cell turnover and clear clogged pores, which can be beneficial in improving acne and lightening dark spots. Benefits of exfoliating include:
There are two ways to exfoliate your skin: physical (also called manual or mechanical) and chemical.
This doesn’t involve manually scrubbing the skin, so it is considered gentler than physical exfoliation. It is, however, important to use a moisturizing sunscreen afterward, as chemical exfoliants can make the skin prone to redness and sun damage.
What is the right method for you: This depends on your skin type and preference. Many, however, usually recommend chemical exfoliation as this doesn’t involve the use of granules that can potentially cause little tears in the skin and offers additional benefits. Dr. Sylvia’s AHA Resurfacing Serum, for instance, gently exfoliates the surface of the skin, while also targeting dark spots and improving the visible signs of aging.
You can still go with physical exfoliation, but make sure that it matches your skin type and do it properly.
This also depends on your skin type and what you can handle. It is not recommended to exfoliate every day.
Do take note that the type of exfoliant you use can also affect how many times a week you should exfoliate. The environment you’re in also plays a role in how often you should exfoliate. If you, for instance, live in a place with lots of pollution, you may need to exfoliate more often. A consultation with a skin or aesthetic doctor can help you figure out how you should approach exfoliation.
Again, this will depend on your preferred method. Here are some general guidelines
Make sure not to over-exfoliate, which means doing it often or using very harsh exfoliants. This may result in side effects such as redness, flaking, and irritation. Again, you should also be mindful of how long you should leave a chemical exfoliant on your skin or use a physical exfoliant (usually not more than a couple minutes). Always follow the package instructions.
At Cutis, we also have aesthetic treatments that can exfoliate your skin and reveal fresher and healthier skin underneath. These include:
To learn more about our exfoliating treatments and products, contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics. Schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor in Singapore and find out how we can help you achieve your beauty and skincare goals.
Microneedling, which involves creating microscopic punctures in the skin to stimulate collagen, has been popular…
Cutis is thrilled to introduce VYC-12, a US FDA-approved hyaluronic acid microdroplet injectable. Indicated to…
Worried about blemishes and uneven skin tone? While a good skin care regimen can help…
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Allergan’s OnabotulinumtoxinA for treating moderate to…
The term “cortisol face” has created a buzz on social media (especially TikTok), with many…
On average, the skin renewal process takes about 28 days. This helps make sure that…