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Not
so sure about exfoliation?
What you’re about to read may make you want to reconsider. When it comes to
anti-aging, exfoliation is one of the most effective ways to promote youthful skin. And that’s not all.
In
addition to its main act of sloughing off dead skin cells and promoting softer,
smoother skin, exfoliation can increase circulation, get rid of cellulite, and even assist the body with its natural regeneration process.
All
of which result in brighter, firmer, more healthy-looking skin.
Curious
to know more? We’ve got the 411 on all the ways exfoliation aids in anti-aging
— plus, the most popular ways to exfoliate — ahead.
It aids in cellular
turnover
As
we age, our body’s natural ability to shed skin cells slows down a lot. Younger
skin regenerates every 28 days, but over time the natural turnover rate
declines.
According
to the Lead Esthetician at True Botanicals, Kevin Dooley, “this can lead to a
variety of changes and can result in clogged pores, change in texture, and dull skin.” No, thank you!
Fortunately,
exfoliation can help speed things up by working to unclog pores and improve
overall cellular turnover. This, in turn, allows the skin to operate at its
best and results in smoother, softer, and healthier-looking skin.
It enhances absorption
of topical skin care products
In
addition to getting rid of dead skin cells and aiding in the body’s natural
regeneration process, “proper exfoliation helps to enhance absorption of
topical skin care products,” says Dooley.
“[Which]
ensures maximum delivery of the potent nutrients in your everyday products to
penetrate to the deepest layers of your skin, where the aging process
initiates,” he adds.
It stimulates
collagen and elastin production
Because
of its ability to stimulate overall cellular turnover, exfoliation can also aid
in collagen
and elastin production. Collagen
and elastin are crucial to anti-aging and youthful-looking skin.
That’s
because they both work together to strengthen the skin’s structure and improve
its ability to stretch and bounce back. As we age, our collagen and elastin levels decrease, so a boost in production can diminish wrinkles and result in more youthful-looking skin.
It boosts circulation
and supports the body’s natural detoxification process
According
to Yon-Ka Paris’ National Director of Education, Katherine Tomasso, “the
stimulating action [of exfoliation] can also boost circulation and support the
body’s natural detoxifying process.” This, in turn, can help fade the look of stretch marks, get rid of cellulite, and more.
In
addition to softer, smoother, more supple-looking skin, exfoliation allows
newer, healthier skin cells to develop.
As
we’ve previously mentioned, sloughing off dead skin cells promotes cellular
regeneration, boosts circulation and enhances the body’s detoxification process
— all of which contribute to newer, healthier skin cells.
It brightens the skin
and aids in moisture loss
Dead
skin cells are not just the cause of rough, dry skin; they’re the cause of dull
skin, too! Exfoliation can help slough off the dullness and promote a brighter,more illuminated complexion. But that’s not all.
If
you’re using an exfoliant formulated with Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), you may see an increase in moisture levels.
“Alpha Hydroxy Acid has been shown to
stimulate production of natural ceramides and hyaluronic acid to prevent
moisture loss,” says Dooley. “It also targets hyperpigmentation
by inhibiting melanin-triggering enzymes,” he adds.
Note
to self: add more AHA exfoliants into our skin care regimen.
Different types of
exfoliation
Before
we get into the most common ways to exfoliate, let’s discuss the different
types of exfoliation. There are two ways to get rid of dead skin: Chemical
exfoliation or physical exfoliation.
Physical
exfoliation means that something is physically sloughing off dead skin — i.e.,
grains, a brush, and sometimes even a scalpel.
On
the other hand, chemical exfoliation uses chemicals and acids to remove dead skin and aid in cell turnover.
Both
types of exfoliants are effective and both types can promote softer, smoother, brighter,more youthful-looking skin. It all comes down to preference.
Popular ways to exfoliate
Now
that we have the exfoliation basics covered, here are some of the most popular
ways to exfoliate:
Sugar & salt
scrubs:
Perhaps
one of the most common ways to get rid of dry, dead skin is by using a salt or sugar scrub. This physical exfoliant is often formulated with a
skin-nourishing oil, such as coconut oil. They work to slough off dead skin cells and nourish the skin
at the same time.
Dry brushing:
Another
physical way to exfoliate the skin? Through dry brushing.
Dry brushing utilizes a dry, natural-bristle brush to slough off dead skin
cells and promote better circulation within the skin. And that’s not all.
Exfoliating the skin with a dry brush can also get rid of cellulite, firm and tighten the skin, and help reduce the look of stretch marks.
Peels:
One
of the most popular ways to chemically exfoliate the skin is through the use of
peels. At-home facial peels utilize Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) to penetrate the skin and remove dead skin cell
buildup.
Watch
these Videos
How to Exfoliate for Different Skin Types | Wish Beauty 101 | Wishtrend
For more ideas to
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·
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·
Easy facial yoga
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·
Methods to treat
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·
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To learn more about
Wendy Wilken’s Facelift Without Surgery Program, click on Easy Skin Care Tips to Get Younger Looking Skin
