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This article is about the cosmetic technique.
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Cross-section of all skin layers.
Exfoliation involves the removal of the oldest dead
cells on the skin's outermost surface, and has been used for many years to help maintain healthy skin. Exfoliation is involved in the process of all , during
at medical spas. Exfoliation can be achieved through mechanical or chemical means.
Credit is given to the ancient
for the practice of exfoliation. In the ,
was used as a chemical exfoliant, with
as the active agent. In , the practice of exfoliation started hundreds of years ago. The etymology of the word exfoliate comes from the Latin exfoliare (to strip off leaves).
Exfoliation is achieved through either mechanical or chemical means.
Exfoliation methods used in Canada in 2011. Shown: top right, a bath sponge
lower right, a brush with a
stone on one side and a natural bristle brush on the other side,
lower left, a mud mask package fo top left, a jar of perfumed body scrub to be used while bathing.
This process involves physically scrubbing the skin with an . Mechanical exfoliants include
cloths, adhesive exfoliation sheets,
facial scrubs, crepe paper, crushed
or , , and abrasive materials such as , , , and simply fingernails. Facial scrubs are available in
for application by the user. People with dry skin should avoid exfoliants which include a significant portion of , or crushed volcanic rock. Pumice is considered a good material to exfoliate the skin of the feet.
is another mechanical method of exfoliation.
Chemical exfoliants include scrubs containing , ,
which may be applied in high concentrations by a medical professional, or in lower concentrations in over-the-counter products. Chemical exfoliation may involve the use of products that contain
(BHAs), or enzymes that act to loosen the glue-like substance that holds the cells together, allowing them to ease away. This type of exfoliation is recommended for people treating . In beauty spa treatment on continental Europe, the chemical properties of wine producing grapes are exploited in the practice of
which is becoming increasingly popular.[]
Some methods of
also exfoliate the skin.
is a mechanical process which is done with the intention of plucking the hair, which also functions as a mechanical exfoliant. As this is done every two to eight weeks, it is not performed as frequently as many exfoliate, so it does not fully substitute for a regimen, but may substitute for a normal session in a regimen.
is an example of a
product which also functions as a chemical exfoliant. It is done more frequently than waxing (once a week rather than once a month) since it only destroys hair partially below the skin, rather than destroying the entire root as with waxing. Using it weekly can substitute for a weekly exfoliant regime. It is a very aggressive chemical and cannot be used on the face so other exfoliants would need to be used on the face.
also has ex first, the action of moving a shaving brush vigorously across the face washes the face and removes dead skin at the same time. After applying the lather with a brush, the use of a double-edged safety razor or straight razor removes dead skin simply by the fact that the aforementioned razors are dragged much closer across the skin and remove dead skin more effectively than a cartridge or electric razor.
In popular media, exfoliants are advertised as treatments which promote beauty, youthful appearance, or health.[]
One disadvantage to exfoliation is the high price of some of the products and methods used to achieve it. Exfoliation will lead to some initial redness to the skin. Near the end of chemical peels, the skin will frost, with colors varying from a bright white to grey on the skin surface.
As microbead particles used in mechanical exfoliation are too small (less than 1mm) to be caught by , this results in tonnes of microbeads being released into the environment which damages marine . Consequently, in June 2014 the US state of
became the first to ban the use of microbeads and cosmetics manufacturers such as ,
agreed to use more natural ingredients.
. Reuters 2014.
Positano, Rock (September 18, 2007). . New York Post 2015.
Anitra Brown. . About 2014.
Alex Muniz. . AskMen 2014.
Cathy Wong, ND. . About 2014.
Hitchings, Lauren. . .
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