One of the first things we ask a new client is, “How often do you cleanse your face? What product do you use to cleanse? Do you use your hands to do the actual washing?” Exfoliation (the getting rid of dead skin cells) is a crucial step in any skin care program. Individuals with any skin type, especially oily and mature, need to exfoliate daily. The easiest way to exfoliate your skin is by using a washcloth with a high quality cleanser, twice a day. SkinCeuticals has cleansers to match each skin type. We like to use Simply Clean, which refines pores and controls oil production. If dead skin cells are not properly removed, the stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of your skin will thicken. The thick layer of dead cells that builds up on skin that is not regularly exfoliated, prevents your skin care products from penetrating your skin and providing maximum benefits. Dead cell build-up leads to many easily solved problems: • dehydration • poor oxidation • sluggish circulation • formation of blemishes • rough, unevenly-textured skin • pale or grey skin tone What Happens to Dead Skin Cells after they are formed? The skin is constantly regenerating. The basal layer of the epidermis generates skin cells and gives them their color. This is a continual process which takes about 28 days. As new cells are generated, the previously generated cells are pushed up toward the surface where they usually just sit if not exfoliated. This problem is compounded as we age, since the generation of cells is less efficient. The result of this buildup of dead cells is dull, flat-looking skin that has lost its vitality and glow. Other ways to exfoliate more deeply… The other most popular and effective way to exfoliate is by using chemical peels. Chemicals peels can effectively remove a maximum amount of dead skin cells without using friction. The two most popular products used in peels are alpha-hydroxy acid and salicylic acid. At Rejuvenate Medical Spa we offer a full range of chemical peels from the gentlest to deeper peels which can tackle bigger problems such as hyper-pigmentation and acne. Please come in for a free skin analysis and we can decide which peel is right for you. Some of our favorite peels include the popular ViPeel, SkinCeuticals Gel Peels and Cosmelan for hyper pigmentation.