Mechanical Exfoliation
Wash cloths and loofas are great examples of manual exfoliants as are salt, oatmeal, baking soda and sugar, honey and fruit mixtures.
While the latter are all great natural home remedies, they are also potent concoctions that lack quality control.
Mature skin is best treated gently with products that are researched and prepared under the most stringent conditions. So put your honey in your tea, your oatmeal in your cookies and your fruit in your salad and leave exfoliation solutions to the experts.
Chemical and Enzymatic Exfoliants
Over-the-counter products fall in this exfoliant category. While the ingredients are similar, drug store exfoliants usually lack quality antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant properties that are critical for mature skin.
On aging skin, it isn't just about removing that top layer of skin. It's essential that the proper decree of nourish and protection is equally introduced into the underlying layers. Collagen and elastin stimulation are a fundament component of the process.
Unless high quality products are used, it is better not to exfoliate mature skin.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser is short for "Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation." Laser beams can gently release skin tissue to reveal smoother, blemish free skin. They are also affecting in sealing broken blood vessels.
All rejuvenating skin treatment come with risks and, although safer than other procedures, laser resurfacing can cause pigmentation change, surface irregularities and even burning and scarring. Still it is quite effective for wrinkles, scars and sun spots.
Laser treatments, as well as all surgical skin treatments, should be done only by qualified dermatological surgeon. Although all dermatologists are trained in surgical procedures not all are board certified. An American Board of Dermatology (ABD) certified surgeon will ensure you have selected a doctor with specialized qualifications and experience in this type of therapy.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels can take years off and renew your skin. But, true to its name, a chemical solution is used to peel off the top layer of the skin. Chemical peels can leave a silky smooth surface and texture and reduce fine lines, surface scarring and age spots. They won't firm sagging skin, treat deep scars or reduce pore size.
Chemicals Typically USed
Glycolic acid (fruit)
- Best use: on non-sensitive skin for treatment of blackheads, acne, hyperpigmentation and fine lines.
Lactic acid (milk and the bath water of Cleopatra)
- Best use: kind to mature skin for treatment of wrinkles fine lines and to hydrate dry skin.
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA is a medium strength peel)
- Best use: to dissolve excess oil, improve hydration and strengthen collagen
Salicylic acid (Willow bark)
- Best use: for the treatment of blackheads, acne, hyperpigmentation, excess oil skin and fine lines.
Your dermatologist may also use laser light to enhance the procedure. A chemical peel can product warm or hot sensations and stinging. A deeper peel can painful and require pain medication.
Risks include pigmentation changes, scarring and redness that can last for months. Those with mature skin should undergo chemical peels only upon the recommendation of a qualified dermatologist. Do your research for a qualified dermatologist and get a consultation before your appointment.
Microdermabrasion
A resurfacing technique that was initially reserved for the dermatologist office where sanding machines and chemicals peeled off the outer layer of skin.
No doubt microdermabrasion can rejuvenate tired, dull skin, but it is not without complications. Tingling, burning and redness can be experience for the first 24-48 hours. Those with sensitive and mature skin can have the opposite affect and actually experience scarring and pigmentary changes.
Mature skin is not usually best served by this technique. Microdermabrasion does address skin problems such as large pores, scars, stretch marks and age spots but, again, do your research for a qualified dermatologist and get a consultation before your appointment. As for home microdermabrasion, leave it to the 20-30 year olds whose skin is more resilient.
US $18.00
