Dentist and Skin Care Blog from Boston's Area Leading Dental Office

While you can’t see it, your skin sheds thousands of cells every minute. This natural exfoliation process helps to maintain skin health, but if you’re not careful, the lost cells can build up on your skin. This not only prevents skin from properly hydrating, but can also lead to a dull complexion. One way to remove those dead, dry cells is to visit a skincare specialist for microdermabrasion. This painless procedure lightens, tightens and brightens your skin—and can also reduce the signs of aging and minor stretchmarks and scars.

Still not convinced? Read on to discover three major reasons why exfoliation improves the look, feel and health of your skin. 

1. Exfoliation, whether it’s done at home or by an aesthetician, helps to reduce the occurrence of acne and blackhead breakouts. People with acne-prone skin shed more skin cells than those with other skin types, but the cells do not fall away. Instead, they stick to the skin, stacking up to clog pores and hair follicles. As this skin debris builds, the skin produces excess follicle oils—which leads to blackheads and blemishes. Regular exfoliation speeds the process of skin cell turnover so that cell buildup and clogged pores are less likely to occur.
2. With the winter season approaching, skin exfoliation is especially critical. Many of us simply slather on heavy lotions and creams in an attempt to reduce dryness. However, if skin cells are not properly exfoliated prior to moisturizing, your skin does not effectively absorb moisture. Instead, you’re attempting to hydrate dead skin cells—an impossible feat. To maintain soft, smooth and truly hydrated skin, you must exfoliate dry skin cells before applying moisturizing products.
3. Proper exfoliation helps skin to age gracefully. Over time, the skin thickens, especially when regularly exposed to the sun. The result? Dull, wrinkled skin. Exfoliating aging or sun-damaged skin helps to gently slough away the skin’s thick layer of damaged skin cells, so your skin appears brighter, softer and younger.  

It’s important to keep in mind that over-exfoliating can lead to skin irritation and dermis damage. If your skin requires regular exfoliation at home, once or twice a week should suffice. If you’re exfoliating daily, you could be removing healthy skin cells with the dead ones, leading to rashes and discomfort. If you have especially sensitive skin, plan to exfoliate even less often.

Considering in-office microdermabrasion? Call the skincare specialists at Smile and Skin Aesthetics today. Microdermabrasion is an ideal way to rejuvenate your face, and can also treat fine lines, sun-damaged skin, minor stretch marks and acne scarring. Schedule your consult today to determine whether you’re a candidate for this convenient, low-risk procedure. While you’re at the office, ask about our line of gentle cleansers, moisturizers and at-home Collagen Induction Therapy products.