Routinely one must cleanse, moisturise and protect with sunscreen but an important step which should be looked into at least once or twice a week is Exfoliation. Exfoliation helps to remove the built-up dead cells on the surface of the skin so that the cell turnover is faster and skin looks healthy and radiant. Dr Shuba Dharmana, Dermatologist, Lejeune Medspa Bangalore highlights the benefits of exfoliation.
The cell turnover slows down with age and dead cells build-up. This leads to dull skin. Other environmental factors such as pollution, sunlight, toxins also damage this cell renewing capacity to some extent.
Exfoliation can be done mechanically at home with face and body scrubs, with loofahs, sponges, pumice stones or with solutions that have alpha and beta hydroxy acids. In clinics, a more aggressive Exfoliation issued by dermatologists in the form of skin peels or microdermabrasion.
The frequency of Exfoliation depends upon the skin type.
People with normal to oily or combination skin can exfoliate 2-3 times a week. People with acne or sensitive skin must exfoliate less about once a week. If you have active acne there are chances of spreading the infection whilst exfoliating and stimulating more oil production.
If you have dry skin then you should also exfoliate less as dry skin is prone to redness, peeling and ageing much more.
Body exfoliation is similar. 2-3 times a week is sufficient unless you have very dry scaly skin in which case gentle mild exfoliation with moisturiser should be used. Follow exfoliation with moisturiser for the body as well as the face.
Excessive redness should not be caused by exfoliation and if you do have excessive redness you may not be suitable to doing exfoliation on your own or may have to use a milder exfoliating agent.
