Exfoliation is a crucial step in nurturing the face and preserving its beauty. Scrubs remove dead cells from the skin’s surface, open and clean pores and allow the skin to breathe freely. Also, scrubs improve the circulation in the surface layers, and promote exchange and the flow of nutrients to each cell, enhances the production of collagen, which keeps the elasticity of the skin, the skin regenerates faster and eliminate aesthetic defects on the face, such as scars and blemishes.
In addition to the usual mechanical scrub, there are other types of scrubs, ie. ways of its implementation.
The regeneration of the skin is called keratinization and takes about 28 days, but as the skin ages the process becomes slower. In the process of keratinization, living skin cells migrate to the surface of the skin where they die and fall off, and are replaced by new ones.
Dry skin doesn’t have a good protective layer of skin (the hydro-lipid layer) and dead skin cells fall off more easily. For oily skin keratinization is accelerated. Therefore, people with dry skin should apply scrubs more often than those with oily skin.
Why should you use scrubs?
– Thoroughly clean the skin
– Remove dead skin cells
– Mitigate the hyperpigmentation (patches) on the skin
– Wrinkles become shallower
– Scars become less visible
– Accelerates keratinization – skin regeneration
– Treatments (cream, serum, etc.) that are applied after scrub better penetrate the skin
– Improves microcirculation.
Types of scrubs
There are several types of scrubs. The basic division is mechanical, chemical and enzymatic (biological) scrub. The length and strength of the exfoliation depends on the type and condition of the skin, but the process usually takes about 5 minutes. If you have dry skin, the scrub should be shorter, and if you have oily then longer. For mixed skin it is mixed, with longer rubs on the T zone, and less on the cheeks. To remove the scrub it is best to use a sponge soaked in distilled water, since tap water is full of chlorine and other substances that dry the skin. After the scrub you should thoroughly clean the skin and apply a tonic, apply mask and finally the cream.
1. Mechanical scrub
Mechanical scrubs, as the name suggests, makes a mechanical friction which removes dead cells from the skin surface. Usually contain small abrasives that create friction – various cells that can be: seeds, quartz sand, plastics (in some commercial products), vegetable flour, sugar … There are scrubs with granules that dissolve, for example, beads of jojoba oil that melt during the exfoliation. The amount of granules may vary – thinner scrubs are used if you have dry or sensitive skin, and thicker if you have oily. The substrate for the cells may also be different – milk, gel, face cream or something else. Milk is used if you have dry skin (to simultaneously hydrate), gels if you have mixed or oily skin. These cells make microscopic cuts on your skin, thus helping to remove dead cells. Mechanical exfoliation works on the surface on the skin. During mechanical exfoliation you can also use a backup tool – brush, glove or sponge for rubbing. You will get stronger effects if you use them.
These treatments are done in beauty parlors, but you can buy appliances for home care. In any case, before any treatment it is mandatory to consult a dermatologist! Do the scrub longer on the thicker parts of the skin (T zone).
NOTE: Mechanical exfoliation should not be used by people who have wounds, acne, herpes, allergic reactions, or are prone to couperose.
Application: Clean the skin and apply the product on the skin, gently rub in a circular motion, but avoid the eye area. Exfoliate about 5 minutes, and then remove the product with distilled water. After peeling, apply nourishing mask that fits your skin type.
2. Chemical Peels
Chemical peel is a type of scrub in which the beautician applies acids that remove the dead/damaged layer of skin. Chemical scrubs are very helpful with hyperpigmentation (dark spots on the skin – from the sun, for example), acne, wrinkles and acne scars.They are done in several treatment and during autumn or winter when sunlight is not so hard.
Exfoliation with fruit acid can be gentle, can remove fat and improve the appearance of the skin or it can be strong (such as peeling conducted by beautician). AHA scrubs help treat acne and serve as a pre-treatment for cleaning the pores before applying the preparations for the treatment of acne. Individuals with severe acne should not use mechanical exfoliation, so they are recommended to do chemical, but only after consulting dermatologist.
The number of treatments depends on how damaged is the skin. These are mostly 3-6 treatments. If you do gentle exfoliation you can repeat it in a week or two, and if you’re doing a deep peeling, it can be repeated in 5-6 weeks.
NOTE: Chemical peels should not be used by people who are in therapy with Isotretinoin.
Care after chemical scrub: Make sure you protect your skin after treatment, otherwise you will have problems with patches. Chemical peels are very effective, but you should protect yourself in the period after the treatment until the skin regenerates. Be sure to wear sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats and watch that you do not expose the skin to direct sunlight.
3. Enzyme Scrubs
Enzyme scrub is a delicate scrub because it naturally accelerates keratinization (cell regeneration). It can be done by people with all types of skin to reduce wrinkles and make the skin more elastic. The application of this peeling provides the skin with nutrients and enhances the synthesis of collagen and elastin which provide firmness and elasticity. It is also used for burns.
As the name says, this scrub contains enzymes i.e. ferments. These are proteins which can cause a chemical reaction in the body (in this case, to accelerate tissue regeneration). Enzymes are not anything new or unknown to your body so you have no reason to be afraid. For example, enzymes in saliva help digest food before it reaches the stomach.
Before selecting a scrub it is important to know your skin type and condition. It would be best that you consult a dermatologist about these issues.
Exposure of the skin to the sun, combined with sea water leads to spontaneous biological exfoliation.
CAUTION – Do not apply scrubs before exposing to the sun.