Frequently Asked Questions
We strongly advise clients that have not purchased products from Afresh Beauty before to have a skin consultation, preferably in-person or over the phone with one of our qualified skincare professionals, to ensure correct product selection.
The suggestions on these pages are provided for information purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice.
How can exfoliation improve my skin?
While worldwide awareness of exfoliation has exploded in the last decade, its a concept that is thousands of years old. Even Cleopatras exfoliation secrets are well documented!
Generally speaking, exfoliation refers to any technique that removes cells from the skin surface, not only immediately refreshing the skins appearance but also stimulating cell renewal. The benefits are dramatic, and, when used with professional guidance, exfoliation can be used to treat a wide variety of skin problems including acne, hyperpigmentation, premature aging and scarring to name a few.
Of course, there is huge variety in these techniques scrubs, peels, masques, dermabrasion, and lasers! Fortunately, your skin care therapist can help you identify what will help you best achieve your goals
How do Hydroxy Acids work?
Unlike physical exfoliants that remove debris through gentle abrasion, hydroxy acid-based exfoliants smooth the skin by dissolving the intercellular glue that attaches the cells to the surface. Hydroxy acids are the most common form of at-home exfoliant because they are extremely effective and, when used properly, very safe.
Of course, there are several different hydroxy acids. Glycolic Acid was the first to be used in a cosmetic application, and is still widely-used despite its high incidence of skin irritation. Lactic and Salicylic Acids, which are as effective as Glycolic Acid, are now the choice of leading skin care professionals because they deliver the same level of results with considerably less irritation. Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant and Skin Renewal Booster are two great at-home exfoliants that use this combination of Lactic and Salicylic Acids.
Hydroxy acids may be combined with enzymes derived from Papaya (Propain) and Pineapple (Bromelain) to help digest dead skin cells, resulting in even smoother skin. The Phytic Acid in Rice Bran, the third key ingredient in our Daily Microfoliant, also effectively dissolves dead surface cells.
Who Needs Exfoliation?
Well, everyone exfoliates naturally. In fact, as youre reading this, thousands of tiny skin cells are falling off your body about a million every minute! An exfoliation regimen simply helps your body along in the process, which becomes especially vital as we age. Teenagers completely regenerate their external layer of skin, on average every 14 days. By the time youre 40, however, that rate has increased to 30-40 days. The result is dull, ashy or mottled-looking skin. An exfoliation regimen can reduce the time that dulling skin cells sit at the surface of our skin for a healthier, more vibrant complexion. Depending on your age and skin condition, your therapist might prescribe a combination of exfoliation therapies. Here are some examples:
Acne-Prone Skin: A masque-style exfoliant, such as Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant, can help the skin combat extra oiliness and congestion without aggravating acne conditions.
Dehydrated Skin: Depending on the sensitivity of your skin, you might select a masque-style or scrub-style exfoliant to help remove the dry, dead debris and reveal healthy cells. Combining Skin Renewal Booster with your moisturizer is another great option.
Prematurely-Aging Skin: Prematurely aged skin is often the result of sun exposure. Sun exposure causes a build up of surface skin cells, which results in a dull, dehydrated appearance. A physical exfoliant such as Skin Prep Scrub, plus professional MultiVitamin Power Exfoliant treatments, will help slough away dead skin cells.
Uneven Pigmentation: Exfoliation is an important component of every hyperpigmentation treatment because it helps remove the pigmented surface cells. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, when used as part of the Skin Brightening System, is the most effective choice.
The sun and my skin ... are they really such enemies?
Its no exaggeration to say that the sun is potentially your skins worst enemy. In fact, skin cancer, largely caused by unprotected exposure to the suns damaging UV rays, is the most prevalent form of cancer in the world, affecting one in five people. And its on the rise recent studies suggest that depletion of the earths ozone layer makes shielding the skin more important than ever.
Not a sun bather, you say? Well, unless you only go out at night, your skin is still bombarded on a daily basis. Driving to work. Walking the dog. Even sitting under indoor lighting. The bottom line if the sun is in the sky, sun protection should be on your skin!
What can I do at home to help my acne breakouts?
Excellent skin care and hygiene are vitally important to remove the excess oils and bacteria that are associated with acne. Dermalogica products are non-comedogenic and completely water-soluble, making them ideal for breakout-prone skin. Always follow a strict regimen of thorough cleansing with anti-bac skin wash and lukewarm (never hot) water, followed with a hydrating conditioner such as Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner, and an oil-free moisturizer. Exfoliate twice a week, and use Daily Microfoliant every day, to help the skin rid itself of congestion-causing debris. Dermalogica Medicated Clearing Gel helps regulate sebum (oil) production, remove follicle-clogging debris and kill acne bacteria. For an existing breakout, Benzoyl Peroxide provides unsurpassed clearing while a calming mask reduces irritation.
In addition, lifestyle changes can often improve your skin. Try to reduce stress, drink plenty of water and limit your intake of caffeine and cigarettes, which may stimulate the adrenal glands and promote oil production.
And always remember never to pick or squeeze pimples, as youll be left with an even bigger blemish and a scar to remember it by!
What is acne?
Acne is a genetically-inherited disease, which is the result of several factors occurring in the skin. Aside from excess oil secreted by the sebaceous glands, there is a proliferation of cells that clog the pores, trapping oil in the follicle. Bacteria inhabit the follicle and digest the oils, generating waste products which then cause the irritation to the skin. Oilier skin conditions tend to experience more acne breakouts because they provide more food for the bacteria. Teenagers hormonal changes increase oil production, in turn increasing acne breakouts. A quick Face Mapping by your skin care therapist will identify your acne-prone areas.
How can I control premature aging?
Lets face it weve all done things in our pasts that our skin would rather forget! And, while the damage may be done, there are a number of ways in which you can treat the signs of premature aging. It all starts with regular visits to your skin care therapist, who can work out a prescriptive regimen based on a detailed skin analysis using Face MappingSM. More than likely, you will begin with an intensive series of MultiVitamin Power Exfoliation treatments, a hydroxy acid and Retinol approach that is designed to dramatically smooth away debris and increase new cell renewal. Then, regularly-scheduled MultiVitamin Power Treatments will keep your skin on track.
Your at-home regimen will also play a crucial role. Using vitamin-enriched products, specifically those containing stabilized Vitamins A, C and E, can deliver the vital nutrients that the skin needs to help firm and improve elasticity. Dermalogica MultiVitamin Power Concentrate and MultiVitamin Power Firm for the eye and lip area applied on a daily basis, along with our MultiVitamin Power Recovery Masque 1 to 2 times weekly, will very effectively deliver these critical vitamins to your skin. And dont forget your hands, which are one of the first areas to show signs of premature aging and sun damage MultiVitamin Hand and Nail Treatment was developed specifically to counter this.