Getting back to younger, vibrant looking skin does not mean surgery. The straightforward process of exfoliation, which removes dead skin cells to allow healthier skin cells to become more visible, can get you there quite nicely. While skin exfoliation is a naturally occurring process, most skin types need some help, especially after age 30 when everything gets sluggish.Oily skin tends to saturate lifeless skin cells, which makes it difficult for them to fall off naturally. Dry skin allows dead cells to accumulate rapidly, giving skin a dry and dull look. Even sensitive skin types need some form of gentle exfoliation. Rosacea prone skin is often polluted by dead skin cells, deeply encrusted impurities that are resistant to removal by daily cleansing. Any skin that is exfoliated properly will show a dramatic decrease in visible lines and creases as healthy skin cells begin to show through. Most people fall somewhere along the oily-dry spectrum so unless you have perfectly balanced skin (which is next to impossible) some sloughing will go a long way toward revitalizing your complexion. When dead cells and impurities are removed, the skin's coloring, texture and functioning become greatly enhanced.
Common exfoliating agents include alpha and beta hydroxy acids, retinol, as well as mechanical devices such as microdermabrasion, which is simply a sanding down of the skin and offers no skin rebuilding or detoxifying potential. Peels and microdermabrasion were once reserved for the domain of the dermatologist’s office, but there are now a wide variety of home kits available on the market.
One of the newest peeling systems is Lancome Resurface Peel.($150) This 4-step home peel kit was developed in conjunction with Dr. Tina Alster, who is the exclusive dermatologist of Lancome. The peel is a unique resurfacing and soothing system based on glycolic acid, and can be used for the face, chest, neck, hands as well. It targets blotches, enlarged pores, congestion, fine lines and dullness. The key to its gentleness is the Comforting Cream which keeps skin supple and moist.
Leave it to La Prairie to come up with the ultimate in luxurious sloughing. La Prairie Cellular Microdermabrasion Cream ($225) is made with diamonds, fresh water pearls and crystal quartz to revitalize surface skin of the knees, elbows, heel, or anywhere thickened skin and calluses appear. Three specialized sponge applicators provide optimal results: white sponge for the face, pink for the body, and black applicator is for the heels.
The Dermanew Facial Rejuvenation System ($80), which you may know as “Youthful Essence” from the infomercial, is a clever handheld device that mimics the effect of microdermabrasion. This easy-to-use apparatus is gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin-types, since you control the effects. It leaves your complexion smooth, refines the texture, and is great for getting rid of flakes. The cream contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatories such as Green Tea and Grape Seed Extracts.
The good news is that these programs also give you a big bang for the buck. For example, the Lancome system for $150 is for eight peel treatments. Just one glycolic peel in a doctor’s office can cost that or more. Although they won’t deliver the same results, they are ideal to use in-between visits to the salon or doctor to enhance your regimen and prolong the effects of professional clinical treatments.
Wendy Lewis & Co Ltd offers private image enhancement consultations at Georgette Klinger Spa & Salon in New York, and in London, and via phone and email from all over the world, for both men and women. She is the author of 9 beauty books, including The Beauty Battle. www.wlbeauty.com, wlbeauty@aol.com
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