And why it is essential to get a facial every month?
Healthy skin is able to renew itself by exfoliating on its own. As skin cells are produced in the bottom layer of the skin (epidermis), they migrate up to the outermost layer of the skin, where they die and shed. It sends a message to the skin to produce new, healthy skin cells. This natural process of the cells turn over takes approximately 28-30 days and keeps skin in perfect balance. Skin has a smooth texture, even tone, free of hyperpigmentation and redness, with minimal lines and wrinkles.
With the age a process of cells turnover is slowing down. As we reach our 40s, cells turn over every 35-40 days, in 50s it can take up to 50 days. And it also depends on the lifestyle choices, poor health or immune dysfunction and sun exposure habits, inherited skin condition, medical conditions.
Instead of being easily sloughed off within the 30 days cycle, dead skin cells build up, creating a stubborn keratin layer on the surface of the skin. Skin doesn’t receive a signal to produce new cells and that is why the bottom layer of the skin becomes thinned but the top layer thick. Of course, skin that is so destroyed internally cannot function properly. And so, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles becomes more dramatic; conditions, like acne or rosacea, may develop; and skin becomes overly sensitive.
While we do important steps, such as washing, moisturizing and protecting, the skin will not repair itself when it is out of balance.
Facial scrubs that contain ” granules” are often marketed as exfoliation products. However, to thin the keratin layer of the skin requires great force.
This is where the use of professional exfoliating process is necessary. By thinning the skin’s keratin layer ( which is build up on the surface of the skin) exfoliation encourage the bottom layer of the skin to thicken and start increasing production of antibodies that work to keep skin healthy, as well as production of proteins like collagen and elastin, that help to improve the overall condition and appearance of the skin.