What does it mean to exfoliate, and why should you?

What does exfoliating do?

"Exfoliation means removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, using either a chemical, granular substance, or exfoliation tool," explains plastic surgeon Dr Osman Bashir Tahir¹. "Your skin does shed dead skin cells, but it doesn't always get rid of them all."

No matter your skin type, shedding these cells can improve the appearance and health of your skin: "Exfoliating will help your skin to look brighter, but it also helps absorption of topical skin care products (ones you apply directly on to your skin) which will make them more effective."

Dull-looking skin is something that we're all more susceptible to as we age. Exfoliating can help skin look younger for longer.

Is exfoliating good for acne?

"Yes, it can be," says Dr Tahir. "Exfoliating can help prevent breakouts by unclogging pores. However, it can also exacerbate acne if performed too vigorously or with incorrect methods.

"The key with acne-prone skin is to make sure you choose a product that's gentle but also effective."

Physical versus chemical exfoliation

Not all products that exfoliate are created equal, and it's helpful to know which are more gentle, particularly if you have acne-prone skin. This is where physical versus chemical exfoliation comes in.

If you have acne or sensitive skin, Dr Tahir recommends using a chemical exfoliant: "Physical exfoliants may do more harm than good as they may irritate the skin."

Topical exfoliants

Massaging an exfoliant in a circular motion directly on to your skin is by far the most common and budget-friendly option. If cost is a factor, many affordable high street brands offer physical exfoliators in the form of scrubs, brushes, and sponges.

In contrast, topical chemical products are smooth in texture and come in a range of price tags. But you needn't pay an arm and a leg for a good product - the key is to check the label for the star exfoliating ingredients - alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). These aren't as scary as they sound!

Facial peels

Exfoliating your skin needn't break the bank, but facial peels may be a good choice if you have certain skin problems and if you have the money to spend.

Chemical peels

Chemical peeling is usually carried out by a skincare professional (dermatologist) who applies a chemical solution to remove the top layer of skin cells. This penetrates deeper than topical products, making it a super exfoliant that can address a number of skin imperfections.

"Face peels can be used to offer very light rejuvenation right through to effectively treating acne scarring and pigmentation (patches of darker skin)," adds Dr Tahir. It all depends on the level of depth you choose:

Which depth is right for you?

"Depending on the type and strength of each chemical peel, you can expect to experience redness and swelling which can last anywhere from just a couple of hours to two weeks," says Dr Tahir.

As chemical peels can irritate your skin, it's important that your dermatologist finds the right peel for you. There are many factors they should consider, including your medical history and skin tone. For example, if you have a dark skin tone you are more likely to experience inflammation and should avoid deep chemical peels³.

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Laser peels

"There is some degree of overlap between laser and chemical peels but there are also major differences," explains Dr Tahir. For example, recovery following laser peels is often quicker because there is no risk of adverse chemical reactions.

"Technological advancements with laser peel treatments like the Hollywood Spectra from Lutronic⁴ can now leave patients with no downtime and no pain."

This said, the decision to have a laser or chemical peel will ultimately come down to the skin issues you want to address. Chemical peels may be more appropriate for uneven skin colour and other surface-level problems. According to Dr Tahir, laser peels are better at "improving overall skin texture" as well as treating deeper skin damage, such as “wrinkles, scars, redness, melasma, spider veins, acne, and acne scarring."

Facial peel side effects

A word of caution - because they expose new skin, all facial peels leave you more vulnerable to sun damage from UV (ultraviolet) rays. Be sure to apply a high SPF (sun protection factor) sunscreen when out and about.

Peels that are tailored to your skin are generally considered safe, but complications⁵ can include:

• Infection.
• Hyperpigmentation (patches of darker skin).
• Hypopigmentation (patches of lighter skin).
• Scarring.

How to exfoliate - Dr Tahir's tips

How often should I exfoliate?

If you exfoliate with topical products like scrubs, Dr Tahir does not recommend exfoliating more than once or twice a week. Facial peels should be undertaken even less frequently - see table above.

How to exfoliate your face

"For your face, I do recommend chemical and Hollywood Spectra peels as the best option, but these are of course not always affordable," says Dr Tahir. "If you're using a scrub at home, the key is not to rub it in too harshly. You want to massage the skin gently in small circular motions, otherwise it will hurt. Scrubs have the potential to create small tears in the skin."

How to exfoliate legs with ingrown hairs

"Keeping skin exfoliated can help prevent ingrown hairs by ensuring hair doesn't grow sideways into the skin. For legs, I would recommend using an exfoliating glove to wash away dead skin and clear out pores before you shave."

How to exfoliate your scalp

"If you want to exfoliate your scalp, I recommend doing it on wet, shampooed hair. However, you shouldn't exfoliate your scalp more than once or twice a week as it removes oil, and it may lead to an overproduction of oil."

Further reading

1. Halcyon Aesthetics.
2. Arif "Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review".
3. Castillo and Keri "Chemical peels in the treatment of acne: patient selection and perspectives".
4. Lutronic, Hollywood Spectra Laser Peel.
5. Hamilton and Kao "Recognizing and managing complications in laser resurfacing, chemical peels, and dermabrasion".