Manual Exfoliation vs Chemical Exfoliation

The number one question I get asked is if I do chemical peels and what they do for the skin?

A chemical peel is a form of exfoliation. First things first. Why exfoliate?

Your skin in the largest organ in the human body. It is both dead and alive. Rule of thumb is that your skin cell turn over is generally every 28 days, longer as we age. Exfoliation is important to remove the dead skin cells so that cell turnover can take place and so that healthy skin is revealed. It also assists in the prevention of blocked pores ( black heads and white heads), aging, dry skin and also aids in promoting even texture and tone.

Manual exfoliation is achieved by using either a topical scrub, a rotating brush or microdermabrasion. The dead skin is removed by means of breaking up the dead skin and gently sloughing it away. Depending on the skin type, a manual exfoliation is good once or twice a week. However, there is such a thing as over exfoliating. If you do not have any serious skin conditions, I would not suggest manually exfoliating every day as this can lead to more severe skin conditions. It can break the skin causing lesions, it can cause irritation which then the skin over compensates to protect itself. If you are not sure about your skin type, or how often you should be exfoliating, please ask your esthetician.

Chemical exfoliation sounds intimidating, but they aren't. Dead skin cells remain attached by fat cells, or lipids. Chemical exfoliation, also called peels, break down the lipids and allow the removal of dead skin cells. It is more productive of an exfoliation than a manual exfoliation.

There are several different types of chemical peels. Ranging from low chemical to higher chemical peels which are low down time and more potent peels which will result in a sloughing, or peeling, of the skin.

Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) peels are derived from fruit, sugar cane and milk. The most used AHA acids are Lactic and Glycolic acid peels. These acids produce great results with no down time. These are most effective in series such as 6 peels in a three month period.

Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) peels, also known as Salycilic Acid, treats the same skin disorders, but penetrates the epidermis deeper than the AHA peels. This peel is often used to treat acneic skin as well as hyper pigmentation.

Then you have your more potent forms of peels such as the Jessners peel and TCA (Trychloroacetic Acid) which can only be performed by esthetician's if under a 10% TCA. These Are deeper peels in which the skin reacts over a period of days. These acids will actually cause the dead skin to dry and peel away from the healthy skin. Hence the name peels.

Not everyone is a candidate for chemical peels. Those with sensitive skin and certain medical problems should not consider peels.

When scheduling a peel, your esthetician should consult with you on preparing for a chemical peel and advise on post care instructions.

My May Favorites

May has come and gone so fast! Here are my top 5 product favorites for May:

My first is Hesperides Grapefruit Eau De Parfum by Fresh. I received this as one of my samples from a Sephora order. Sephora hasn't had it lately but my husband and I took a trip to Fresno yesterday and they were fully stocked!! I was so excited! I got the roller ball which was only $20! Total steal! A little goes a long way, so I opted for the smaller roller ball. It has a hint of grapefruit but it also has floral undertones. I love it for a summer scent!

Second: Big Sexy Hair Powder Play. I got a sample of it in my May Ipsy bag. UUUUHHHHMAZING!! a full size bottle of it retails for $10 at Ulta. I put it in my roots and I get the bigger hair closer to God hair! Will be buying this when my sample runs out, which is going to be forever because I have used this a lot and it isn't going anywhere!

I wore this beautiful color (Sally Hansen's Rock Star Pink) over Sinful Colors 'Let's Talk' this last weekend on my toes. We camped on the beach and I thought for sure it wouldn't last. I was wrong. My pedicure still looks perfect. It has a bright pink glitter with purple, blue and silver glitters mixed throughout. Would look lovely over any of the neon colors out right now!

I use and sell Le Mieux products. I can't say enough good things about their products. I wouldn't use or recommend a product I didn't stand behind 100%! This product is my go to product all year round. It is a tinted moisturizer with an SPF of 35! You apply it after your moisturizer. It gives just a little tint and rubs into the skin perfectly. Some of my clients are telling me they consider it a BB creme because of its properties. On those days that I don't want to do my full makeup routine I put this on with a translucent powder, mascara and some bronzer and I am good to go! It even applies wonderfully under your foundation or just powder. You should always wear an SPF, even under your makeup and this one is PERFECT!! Contact me if interested in purchasing. :)

This little piece of heaven is my favorite makeup item at the moment! The L'Oreal Magic Lumi Highlighter. I use this under my eyes, above my eyebrows, on my brow bone and on my cupids bow. It does conceal but it also highlights the area making it illuminate just a hint. It is wonderful stuff! I got mine at Target for around $11.

What are your favorites for May?