The key to a glowing complexion is a smooth, even-toned skin surface. However, your natural cellular turnover cycle, your hormones, and environmental factors can all affect the superficial appearance of your skin. The best way to renew your skin appearance is to regularly exfoliate. A professional exfoliating facial such as dermaplaning at ALC Med Spa in Gurnee, IL can help you achieve a no-filter glow.
Dermaplaning is a non-invasive exfoliation technique that works to remove the upper layer of dead skin cells and peach fuzz from the surface of the skin. This treatment generally removes the last three to four weeks of dead skin cell buildup, which can immediately brighten your skin tone, reduce dark spots, and even improve the look of wrinkles and fine lines. This treatment will usually take about 30 minutes, although adding other treatments will extend the length of your appointment.
The first step of this facial is cleansing the skin to remove dirt, makeup, and oil. An important part of the cleansing step is applying a degreaser to your skin, which will also loosen the surface layers of skin cells and make it easier for the exfoliation to create optimal results. A gentle cleanser will restore the pH balance of your skin and prepare your skin for the sterile treatment.
The next step of this facial is the exfoliation technique. A dermaplaning facial uses a stainless steel surgical blade that will gently scrape away hair and skin cells without leaving any cuts or scratches on the skin. The medical-grade surgical blade will be held at a 45° angle while the skin is pulled taut, which will allow every stray hair and dead skin cell to be removed easily.
The final step of this treatment is the application of soothing serums, hydrating skin care products, and sunscreen to protect your skin after new skin cells have been unveiled. Immediately soothing and hydrating your skin can enhance the glowing results you are looking for.
In addition to exfoliating your skin with the dermaplaning technique, you may also want to consider adding complementary treatments to your appointment. For example, many people combine a dermaplane facial with a chemical peel to deepen the exfoliating results of the treatment. Adding a chemical peel can minimize visible signs of aging, including sun damage.
To prepare for your treatment, you will need to stop using certain at-home skincare products at least one week before your treatment. In particular, exfoliants such as AHAs, BHAs, salicylic acid, and retinol are all prohibited before your treatment, as using these skincare products at home can cause excessive dryness or skin irritation.
After your treatment, it’s ideal if you can use gentle skincare products for at least the first week. Gentle skincare products include cream cleansers, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and other barrier repair moisturizers. Anything that you can do to strengthen and moisturize your skin is generally a good idea. It’s also important to avoid unprotected exposure to the sun, as this could cause sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and dark spots on your freshly exfoliated skin.
Usually, you will be able to notice immediate results after your treatment. This is because removing dead skin cells and hair from the surface of the skin will instantly brighten your complexion and restore the even tone of your skin. Over the next few days, your results will continue to improve as your skin adjusts to the environment and as your skin care products perform even better than before.
Most people can have this treatment frequently, sometimes as often as once a month. If you are using this treatment to maintain an even-toned complexion, scheduling monthly appointments along with other facials can be a good treatment plan. For people who have sensitive skin or who are alternating between other exfoliating treatments, scheduling a dermaplane facial once every six to eight weeks may be preferable. You can continue to have this treatment indefinitely.
Usually, the results of this treatment will last about the same length of time as your natural cellular turnover. For most people, your natural cellular turnover rate is between 28 and 40 days, depending on your age and the skin care products you use at home. For example, if you use retinoids at home, your rate of cellular turnover is going to be higher than someone who does not use retinoids. That said, using certain at-home skincare products can help your results last for longer.
Using a professional exfoliation technique is much better than using at-home dermaplane tools. The dermaplane tools you can use at home are typically not fine enough to remove all dead skin cells and peach fuzz from the skin surface, and may even create micro-scratches if you are not careful. Essentially, at-home techniques are no different from simply shaving your skin.
A professional treatment, on the other hand, will deeply exfoliate your skin to remove many layers of dead skin cells at one time without causing any skin irritation or skin damage. A professional exfoliation treatment such as this one may also moderately stimulate the production of collagen within skin layers, which may soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles or minimize the appearance of enlarged pores.
This facial is highly beneficial for many people, particularly those who want cosmetics to look better. When there is a decent amount of peach fuzz on the surface of the skin, it can make cosmetics sit oddly on the skin, which can make your makeup look cakey or thick. By removing peach fuzz, you will need to use less foundation and your makeup will have a more airbrushed appearance. Other benefits of this facial include:
This facial can be used to manage acne-prone skin, especially for people who have cystic acne. While this facial is inappropriate if you have an active acne breakout with pimples and pustules, people who have cystic acne can actually benefit from a deep exfoliation facial such as this one. Cystic acne is often difficult to address since this type of acne is not responsive to topical treatments because the acne is blocked by skin cells. Removing dead skin cells can help your acne-fighting skin care products work better.
People who have rosacea can also use this treatment to promote a more even-toned skin appearance. In particular, rosacea causes inflammation, redness, and textural irregularities that are similar to acne. By regularly exfoliating the skin, it’s possible for people who have sensitive or rosacea skin types to reduce discoloration and smooth out thickened skin. Some textural irregularities will also improve over time.
Renewing your skin with this treatment also means that you can greatly improve the appearance of most superficial skin concerns, primarily hyperpigmentation and post-acne marks. Dark spots, sun damage, post-inflammatory erythema, and other blemishes can all improve after repeated exfoliation treatments. Renewing your skin through exfoliation may also mean that you will eventually no longer need cosmetics to hide blemishes.
This treatment can greatly enhance the efficacy of your skincare products. In addition to amplifying the penetrative power of skincare products, deeply exfoliating your skin with a dermaplane facial can also enhance the absorption of other active skin ingredients. Treatments such as prescription-strength retinol or over-the-counter skin brightening serums like niacinamide can all perform much better because the molecules in the skincare products can sink into deeper layers of the skin.
The best candidates for this treatment are people who have relatively healthy skin and people who want to improve pigment-related superficial skin concerns. You may not be a good candidate for this treatment if you have certain types of acne, sunburn, or other skin conditions like eczema.
Exfoliation is a crucial part of everyone’s skincare regimen. However, certain at-home exfoliation techniques don’t always produce ideal results, which is why a professional exfoliation technique is preferable to achieve your aesthetic goals. If you think dermaplaning is a good option for you, reach out to ALC Med Spa in Gurnee, IL to schedule your first appointment right away.
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