Are You Scrubbing Off Your Face?

By Kristin Patten

The necessity and benefits of exfoliation are promoted everywhere, from television
commercials, to magazine ads to promotional pieces for particular products.
Scrubs, fruit acids, enzymes, acids and mechanical scrub brushes are extremely
popular and sell very well. We all want to have skin that’s in great condition and
according to most sources, regular exfoliating is one way to get it. But is that the truth?


What is the truth about exfoliation?
Isn’t it kind of our skin’s job
to know when it’s time to slough off
dead cells? Our skin is comprised
of multiple layers, including the
epidermis and the dermis, which
work together to ensure we have
healthy skin. The epidermis is the
outer layer that is waterproof and
protective, while the dermis is the
middle layer that provides strength
and elasticity. The epidermis is only
going to slough off the “old” skin
when the dermis is ready to replace
it. So, if our skin isn’t sloughing
appropriately, we may need to look
more deeply into why this isn’t
happening. Our deeper tissue and
DNA are the control center for skin
function and that includes what
happens to the epidermis.
The epidermis, as the protective
barrier, is part of the complete function
of our skin and it’s important
that the epidermis is strong, whole,
and healthy so that we are protected
from environmental factors, such as
UV radiation and toxins. If you are
destroying the epidermis through
over exfoliation, the normal every
day cell functions must stop what
they are supposed to be doing
and instead, focus unnecessary
energy on repairing the
epidermis. Since healthy
skin starts at the cellular
level, wouldn’t you rather
your cells spend that
time and energy on
anti-aging functions
for the deeper tissue?
At the surface level,
over exfoliating can also
make your pores appear
larger because the body’s
repair mechanisms will
produce extra oil to act as a
fill-in barrier. Being an overly
enthusiastic exfoliator can
cause skin challenges both on the
outside (epidermis) as well as on
the inside (dermis).
So, if you are feeling like you
need some extra exfoliation what
should you do? Most of the time,
you should take a look at the
products that you are using and
make sure that you aren’t creating
inflammation or irritation because
the ingredients aren’t right for your
skin type. Irritation and inflammation
will make your body go into a
cellular frenzy, as your cells attempt
to correct these problems, and this
makes you age faster. A good facial
(with an instrument, not squeezing)
can also help to remove any blocked
pores so that you can absorb good
products into the proper layer and
eliminate any waste. The sloughing
off of dead skin cells so that the skin
can absorb products is often a main
reason people want to exfoliate,
so a proper facial will take care of
this. Oxy-Infusion can help as well
because when properly infused, the
reaction of the oxygen in the dermal
and subcutaneous tissue allows the
entire cellular function to work
faster, and this prevents DNA damage.
The most important thing you
can do for your skin, however, is
just to have a good understanding
of how the skin functions on a cellular
level. Learning about your
skin and how it really functions will
enable you to make healthier decisions
for your skin. We are more
than happy to do a complimentary
consultation that will teach you
about your individual skin and help
you understand healthy skin care
and true anti-aging.
One thing that is universal is
that we all want to delay the aging
process as much as possible and
healthy skin always looks more
youthful. Inappropriate exfoliation
can actually cause the aging process
to accelerate by allowing more
external factors to gain access to
your DNA because your deeper cell
functions will work to rebuild the
epidermis. When you have healthy
skin on the inside, the outside will
take care of itself.
As a forerunner in modern skin
care services and anti-aging, Kristin
founded Nourishe in Delray Beach
and currently heads aesthetic science
research and development. Kristin’s
revolutionary approach to DNA repair,
her comprehensive research and
study in the fields of bio-chemistry
and science as well as her extensive
training with some of the best professionals
in the industry has made her
the expert in healing and improving
the skin naturally and holistically.
Kristin created and holds exclusive
rights to over 8 different treatments
from DNA Repair and Oxy-Infusion to
non-surgical face lifting techniques.
Kristin is passionate about educating
her clients and is tenacious in her
approach to uniquely customize each
person’s treatments until their skin is
the best it can be.