5 Benefits of Exfoliation

Exfoliation is a process that removes dead skin cells from the upper layer of the skin, revealing the healthy skin underneath. Regular exfoliation can help keep skin looking fresh, removing any dry patches or flakiness. In addition to cleansing your skin, exfoliating on a regular basis (once or twice a week at home and once or twice a month professionally) can improve the results of your skin care routine and help rejuvenate your skin. 

Whether you have dry, normal, oily or sensitive skin, exfoliation can bring new life to your complexion. The removal of dead skin cells helps keep pores from becoming clogged and leaves skin with a refreshed and clean feeling. Why would you want clean and clear pores? Clogged pores can result in blackheads and acne. Likewise, when pores are clogged, they appear larger. Although you cannot reduce the actual size of your pores, you can help to minimize their appearance by keeping them clog-free.

In addition to the immediate visual benefits of exfoliation, the removal of dead skin cells speeds up the skin renewal process, allowing smoother, healthier skin cells to take their place. Not only will this help with fine lines and wrinkles, but it will help to lessen discoloration as well.

There are two basic types of exfoliants: physical exfoliants and chemical exfoliants. Physical exfoliants work to remove dead skin cells by friction. Examples of physical exfoliants include scrubs, microdermabrasion, and dermaplaning. Chemical exfoliants do the work for you by essentially dissolving the "glue" that is binding the dead cells to your skin. Enzymes, chemical peels, and acids are examples of chemical exfoliants. A combination of both physical and chemical exfoliation is an ideal way to address damage in the skin from the top down, as well as from the bottom up.

Top 5 Benefits of Exfoliation

1. Improves the results of your skin care products

2. Keeps your pores from clogging, keeping acne under control

3. Speeds up the skin renewal process, allowing smoother, healthier skin cells to take their place

4. Helps to lessen skin discoloration (uneven skin tone)

5. Leads to visibly brighter skin and softens fine lines and wrinkles

Glycolic Acid Does What?!

What is it?

Glycolic acid is a natural fruit acid or alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from sugar cane. It is water soluble, making it versatile for dermatologic and cosmetic formulations. Because it is the shortest-chain AHA molecule, glycolic acid has been shown to be effective in penetrating dermal layers.

How does it work?

With time and sun exposure, there is a gradual decrease in the rate at which old cells leave the surface of the skin and are replaced by newer cells. This results in a surface layer of dead skin cells that are responsible for the appearance of aged skin.

Glycolic Acid works by penetrating the skin and breaking up the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface of the skin. It exfoliates and revitalizes skin by allowing fresh, new skin cells to come to the surface and, over time, helps spur the growth of new skin and the formulation of collagen. The cumulative effects of exfoliation, along with the moisturizing and penetrating properties of glycolic acid, produce changes in skin surface texture and tone, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.

Products containing glycolic acid include but are not limited to peels, facial washes, and moisturizers. Those seeking a more complete exfoliation may opt for a chemical peel. In general, a chemical peel involves a careful degreasing of the skin followed by an application of a powerful AHA, such as glycolic acid. Glycolic acid peels provide a gradual effect, so for best effect they need to be used over a period of a few weeks. Most skin types are able to tolerate these peels, which are available in various concentrations and in a wide array of applications. This allows you to find the right combination that best suits your individual skin. A typical course would be once a week for four to six weeks, with a few weeks off between courses.

Who should use Glycolic Acid?

Glycolic acid peel preparations are recommended for those whose skin is showing signs of aging. Fine lines, brown marks and dry spots can improve with regular applications or peels. Glycolic acid may also prove helpful for those prone to acne. Pregnant women and women who are nursing should avoid glycolic acid treatments.

Glycolic Acid Approved Uses

·         Acne Scarring

·         Facial Rejuvenation

·         Wrinkles

·         Hyperpigmentation

·         Melasma

·         Keratosis Pilaris (KP)

Professional Treatment Spotlight      

Fresh Faced Skin Care offers a series of 3 Glycolic Peels for $120 (regularly $150, save 20%). The peels are spaced 1 week apart and are about 15 minutes in duration. What a quick way to achieve smooth, rejuvenated skin! Call 302-689-3223 to schedule your series.

How To: Apply Skincare

Cleansers, moisturizers, and serums….oh my! How much of each product do I apply and in what order do I apply them? Arranging your skin care products seems relatively easy, but can be difficult to understand which products follow which. To receive the maximum benefits of an effective skin care routine and quality skin care products, it is important you know how to apply them correctly. The way a skin care product is applied has a great influence on its efficacy.

As a general rule, apply products with a thinner consistency before the thicker products. This is because products with heavier consistencies can block the lighter-weight products from penetrating the skin and doing their job. The only exception to this rule is prescription topical medication. Anything medicated or with a clinical purpose (including acne creams) should go onto a clean face first so that it can penetrate the skin most effectively.

Here are some tips to apply skin care products correctly:

Step 1: Cleanse

Before applying any skin care product on your face, make sure it is clean of all dirt and debris. Apply a pea-sized amount of a mild cleanser to clean your face and flush out all dirt, dead skin cells and toxins from within the skin pores. Don’t forget about your neck!

After washing your face with a cleanser, don't wipe it dry completely. Rather, gently pat with a soft towel so that it is still a bit damp (not dripping wet.) The active ingredients of skin care products penetrate better when the skin is moist. Please note:  prescription products should only be applied on completely dry skin.

Step 2: Tone

You can spray toner directly onto the skin or apply the toner to a cotton pad and pat (don’t rub) your face and neck gently. The purpose of toner is to restore your skin’s pH and remove any leftover residue from your cleanser.

Step 3: Treat

Apply serums, gels, and any topical spot treatments to clean skin and let them soak in (about 2-3 minutes). Remember, treatment products are highly concentrated. Therefore, you only need to use a small amount. One or two drops/pumps are all that is needed. Gently apply with your fingertips in an upward, circular motion. More than one product may be used and they can be applied together.

Step 4: Nourish and Moisturize

Using the tip of your ring finger, gently dab eye cream or serum around the orbital socket of the eyes. The size of a grain of rice is all you need for each eye.

Apply moisturizer (if needed). A nickel-sized amount is sufficient.

Step 5: Protect

Slather on a quarter-sized dollop of sunscreen all over your face and neck (don’t forget your ears) and let it set for a few minutes. Apply your makeup after.

Additional Steps: Exfoliants and Masks

Exfoliate your skin at least once or twice every week on clean skin to remove the layer of dead skin cells from the skin surface. Do not exfoliate more than 4 times a week. This could lead to skin irritation, breakouts, or itchiness.

A purifying or hydrating mask may be used on clean skin once a week.

 

Professional Product Spotlight:

Skin Script™ Retinol 2% Exfoliating Scrub, with Kojic

This scrub is a powerful cellular turnover scrub with Retinol (Vitamin A) and jojoba beads to clean, soothe and polish the skin. The retinol encourages the breakup of blackheads and clogged pores, jojoba beads gently exfoliate dead skin cells, while kojic lightens age spots and blemishes left from scars.

Retinol 2% Exfoliating Scrub Benefits:

• Lessens Visible Aging
• Lightens Discolorations
• Provides Chemical and Physical Exfoliation
• Promotes Collagen Synthesis
• Assists in Healing and Rejuvenating

Available only at Fresh Faced Skin Care! Call 302-689-3223.

10 BENEFITS OF DERMAFILE™

What is Dermafile?

Dermafile is a skin polishing and resurfacing tool made of stainless steel and finely crushed cosmetic diamonds. The file lightly polishes skin by removing the top layer of dead skin cells. What’s left behind is velvety smooth, fresh, rejuvenated skin.



How does the Dermafile Procedure Work?

The Dermafile procedure is administered in the same way as a microdermabrasion treatment. The Dermafile may be passed over the skin several times to ensure that each layer is removed evenly and the esthetician may choose to concentrate on a particular area that has a high level of skin pigmentation or skin irregularities. A chemical peel may be applied to enhance results. The entire procedure takes less than an hour. The procedure can be performed once a month to enhance results and promote rapid skin cell regeneration. Over time, the skin will begin to produce more collagen and appear more youthful, toned and soft.

What are the Benefits of Dermafile Exfoliation?

1.    Can be used on all skin types- even sensitive skin

2.    Builds collagen and smoothes fine lines.

3.    Improves sun damage and evens skin tone.

4.    Helps remove age spots.

5.    Treats enlarged and clogged pores.

6.    Smoothes away dead skin cells and rough, bumpy, dry patches of skin.

7.    Smoothes away acne scars and other types of facial scars.

8.    Makeup goes on smoother.

9.    Skin feels silky smooth and clean immediately.

10.  Dermafile is a safe and effective microdermabrasion alternative.

Where Can I Get the Dermafile Treatment?

Fresh Faced Skin Care in New Castle, Delaware performs advanced facial treatments using Dermafile. The March Special, Spring Cleaning Facial ($99), features Dermafile exfoliation. Offer good for a limited time only: March 1- March 31, 2012. Call 302-689-3223.

http://www.freshfacedskincare.com/

Why a Chemical Peel?

Many of us are looking for a simple way to improve our skin without surgery. A chemical peel is a treatment used to exfoliate and rejuvenate the skin. This procedure uses a chemical solution, usually an acid, to dissolve away the upper layers of the skin in order to improve conditions such as acne, unwanted pigmentation or wrinkles. Chemical peels have been in use for a number of years and are a highly popular way to improve the texture and look of skin. Over half a million people have a session performed each year.

Typically with a chemical peel nothing actually "peels" off. During a chemical peel, the chemical solution is applied to the skin and is allowed to soak in. The solution works by destroying parts of the skin in a controlled way, causing new tissue to emerge. There are three basic types of peels that differ based on how deeply the chemical penetrates and what type of chemical solution is used:

1. Superficial Peels:  The mildest type of chemical peel. They can be used on all skin types. Superficial peels usually contain a mild acid, most often glycolic or lactic acid. There is little to no downtime with superficial peels.

2. Medium Peels: Penetrate the skin more deeply than superficial peels. Swelling and redness is common. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is the main peeling agent used for medium peels, though the peel may also be done in several steps using a different chemical solution followed by TCA.

3. Deep Peels: Penetrate several layers of skin and cause a second-degree burn of the skin. They are used only on the face. A chemical called phenol is usually used for a deep peel. Physicians perform these deep peels, with anesthesia being required. Deep peels may tend to bleach the skin (hypopigmentation) and healing generally takes several weeks. A deep peel can be done only once in most cases.

Fresh Faced Skin Care offers three superficial peels, providing dramatic and visible results with little to no downtime:

·         PCA Peel: Excellent for correcting acne and pigment discolorations.

·         Sensi Peel: A gentle solution that strengthens and brightens even the most sensitive skin types.

·         Ultra Peel: Exceptional for treating fine lines and wrinkles.

Fresh Faced Skin Care is the only place in the state of Delaware featuring PCA SKIN^® professional products. After two decades of leading the way in the clinical skin care industry, PCA SKIN remains the trusted healthcare leader in the development of gentle, yet highly effective professional treatments. Call 302-689-3223 or visit www.freshfacedskincare.com for more information.