Damian's Dermatology Blog

Your skin is your body's shield in many ways. It protects the vital organs in your body and ensures that they are safe from intrusion by disease-causing organisms and dirt. Aside from the medical stuff, your skin is the foundation of your outward image and being. It is the first natural things that someone sees when they look at you. Therefore, it only makes sense to care for your skin and keep it clean. There are some skin care routines that you can use to keep your skin in tip-top shape. Exfoliating is one of them. Here is some important information you need to know about exfoliation as a way of caring for your skin:

Exfoliation Is a Natural Process

Your skin does self-care through natural exfoliation. The process is referred to as desquamation, and it happens subtly to the extent that you cannot notice. A complete cycle of desquamation involves peeling of the skin where new cells crop up, grow, mature and die to give room for new ones. Most people accelerate the results of the process by exfoliating their skin manually. It helps for those whose desquamation process doesn't work due to external environmental factors like UV radiation. The results of manual exfoliation are more pronounced and improve the overall look and texture of your skin.

Don't Over-exfoliate

A famous saying states that too much of something is poisonous. Exfoliating your skin is a perfect example. When done correctly, say once a week, exfoliation will leave you with a smoother, cleaner and exquisite skin. Going a step too far will not improve the results. Instead, you jeopardise your skin's wellbeing. So, how will you know when you are over-exfoliating? Some of the signs include:

• Swollen and puffy skin
• Irritation, redness and sore spots on the skin
• Your skin is overly shiny
• Your skin feels tight and somewhat uncomfortable

Managing Over-exfoliation

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, stop exfoliating immediately. This will allow your skin to start regenerating the cells worn off by excess exfoliation. Secondly, refrain from using strong skincare products such as anti-acne solutions. Don't use foaming cleansers to clean your face because they will deprive your skin of the moisture it needs. Use clean, warm water when you want to wash your skin. It also helps to eat foods that improve the health of your skin. Fatty salmon, herring and mackerel are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. These supplements keep your skin supple and moisturised for faster healing.

For more information about taking care of your skin, contact services like Darwin Dermatology.