Skin Care expert, Jo Ann Seele, walks you through various skin exfoliation and shares her knowledge with you; taking the guesswork out of skin exfoliation.

Regular exfoliation helps your skin look and feel its best. The use of chemical exfoliants, containing alpha hydroxy acids and retinols, are recommended to enhance the skin by lightening hyperpigmentation (dark spots), slow advanced skin aging, and stimulate collagen growth.

Selecting the right type of exfoliant for your skin is vital. Not all clients can tolerate the stronger exfoliants as mentioned above so then I recommend an exfoliation scrub. These scrubs are a much milder form of exfoliation. Manual exfoliation is a great option as it can be less irritating and allows for some adjustment in the intensity.

WHAT IS MANUAL EXFOLIATION?
Manual exfoliation is characterized by small grains of abrasive materials that can be manipulated with your fingers, textured sponge and or combined with an exfoliation brush.  Some manual exfoliants are in the form of powder which when mixed with water, toner, or cleanser, create a smooth paste which is then gently massaged over the face and décolleté.

HOW HARD DO I SCRUB THE EXFOLIANT?
With most manual exfoliants there is no need to overstimulate or scrub to achieve a fine finish. Gentle pressure is more than enough to remove build-up from the skin which thickens with age.

WHAT AGE IS EXFOLIATION IMPORTANT?
Exfoliation becomes even more important after menopause to open and create pathways for moisturizers and serums to penetrate. The skin also loses some of its glow with age as the dead skin cells sit on top creating a brick and mortar type of effect preventing new cells reaching the top quickly and blocking moisturizers. Thus, leaving a lackluster complexion. 

Skin Deep offers many levels of exfoliation, choices are varied and recommended for certain skin types and conditions. 

WHAT ARE MY EXFOLIATION OPTIONS?
Chemical Peels can be light with no downtime and/or stronger peels that may present with sloughing over the course of a few days to a week. May be used on all ages and skin types.

Manual exfoliation at home is used as part of a regular skin care routine and may be combined with a sonic smooth brush or Refine Scrub N/D/C/O (normal, dry, combination, oily). May be used on all ages and skin types.

Hydro Rejuvenation Treatments is a vortex infused hydro facial that exfoliates and infuses specific serums into the skin for lightening, hydrating or a light peel. May be used on all ages and skin types.

Microdermabrasion is a dry treatment that exfoliates skin, and a light fruit enzyme is applied afterward with a hydrating mask. Best used on skin under the age of 45. As you age, this process stresses your capillaries resulting in little red spider veins. 

WHAT PRODUCTS CAN I USE WITH EXFOLIATION?
At home products such as skin lighteners and retinol or tretinoin also create cell turnover and brightening and are combined with several other treatments for enhanced results. I have developed my Refine Retinol M/C/O and Bakuchiol Refine to be effective. Search ‘refine’ in my product store to find both products.

Winter is a tough season in our climate and many of us battle dehydration and lackluster skin. Contact me to learn more or schedule one of the treatments listed above to improve that winter glow.