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Some believes exfoliation rebuilds collagen, the substance that keeps skin elastic. Most agree that new skin absorbs moisture more easily, and helps in delaying or preventing the development of wrinkles.
For babies, their dead skin cells fall off every few days by themselves, leaving smooth, supple skin. It also happens for adults but not frequently enough to prevent build up, so a little assistance is necessary. For women, it is a regular part of their skin care routine, but men normally think it unmanly to be accused of any such thing. However, men’s skin care is just as necessary as women’s skin care. Skin exfoliation is most especially important for men because it lifts the hair follicles up, making it easier to get a closer shave.
However, never exfoliate right after a shave. There are two basic methods of exfoliation, mechanical and chemical. Mechanical exfoliation basically means rubbing your skin with a slightly rough substance, such as crush almond shells, sugar or salt crystals or abrasive cloths or loofahs. There are some factors to be considered when selecting an exfoliation scrub. It is contraindicated in any form for dry skin and skin with blemishes or acne. The smaller sized granules in scrubs are better for sensitive skin than the large granules. The larger sebaceous oil glands are also better equipped to sustain more abrasive exfoliants. Ensure that the granules of the facial scrub are smooth because rough edges can damage any type of skin. Cosmetic procedures, which are essentially still mechanical exfoliation although costing much more, include dermabrasion and microdermabrasion. Chemical exfoliants include fruit enzymes, citric acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid or malic acid. Included in this category are enzyme peels, products you apply to the skin to slough off dead skin. Exfoliating should only be done at most twice a week, although some experts say once a month is enough, and recommended for use is natural exfoliation for men, especially when the skin is dry, rough or oily and blackheads and acne are a problem. Natural acids such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA) are wonderful for the skin at the correct concentrations. For homegrown exfoliation, you can use oatmeal mixed with honey and water until it is a thick paste. Spread on the face and leave on for half an hour. Use warm water to wash it off and pat your face dry. The face is not the only part of the body that should benefit from exfoliation, however. Dry brushing is a great way to exfoliate the whole body that increases the circulation in the lymph nodes and the blood and decreases puffiness. All you need is a soft natural bristle brush. The best place for this is in the shower so a refreshing wash with warm water can follow immediately after exfoliation. Start from the bottom up, applying very gentle pressure. Avoid areas where the skin is thin, such as the inner thighs and areas that have broken or inflamed skin or rashes.
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