Scrubbing too hard or using an exfoliator that is too harsh for your skin can cause micro-abrasions, causing breakouts.
For some people, especially those with darker skin tones, more aggressive forms of exfoliation may result in dark spots on the skin. Be gentle to your skin. If you use a scrub or chemical exfoliator, apply the product gently using small, circular motions.
Generally, it may take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks for the skin to recover. Here are some factors that can influence healing time: Severity of Exfoliation: Mild over-exfoliation may heal in a few days, while more severe cases can take longer.
Scrubbing too hard or using an exfoliator that is too harsh for your skin can cause micro-abrasions, causing breakouts.
A face that has been overly exfoliated appears red and waxy. Although some may mistake it for a pinkish glow, it actually indicates over-exfoliated skin.
The “black stuff” when you rub your skin is nothing but dead cells, dirt and surface grime. It comes off due to friction caused by rubbing your skin.
Dead skin cells are natural and part of the skin regeneration process. However, they have an impact on the skin and it is beneficial to help your skin by removing dead skin cells. The common causes of dead skin cell accumulation are skin ageing, inadequate cleansing, and environmental conditions.
Aggressive scrubbing with harsh facial exfoliants can micro-tear the skin and exacerbate issues like acne and irritation. Choose formulas with gentle ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids or fruit enzymes to avoid over-sensitizing the skin.
After exfoliating, you can apply a hydrating serum followed by a great moisturizer for your skin type. Your hydrating products will absorb further into your newly resurfaced skin.
The sebum produced by the sebaceous glands can cause dead cells to stick together. These clumps of dead skin can lead to clogged pores and a buildup on the skin's surface. In addition, excess oil production can also prevent exfoliating acids from doing their job correctly.
Red, irritated skin is likely the first sign that you exfoliate too much. Immediately after any exfoliation, the skin will appear slightly red and puffy. However, if the redness and irritation linger for hours or into the next day, you can be sure that you've gone a bit too far.
Vaseline can be used as a body scrub to remove dead skin cells. Mix the petroleum jelly with either sugar or salt before applying it to the skin.
After peeling, your skin is even more sensitive. Therefore, avoid direct sun exposure, which can lead to even more visible signs of aging. If you must expose yourself to the sun, use a broad spectrum physical sunscreen. Avoid strenuous workouts, dry saunas and steam baths.
Give Your Skin Enough Time to Heal From Over-Exfoliation
For some, it takes just a few days. For others, it can take weeks. Meanwhile, for the unlucky few, they have a few months to wait. Either way, you need to give your skin as much time as it needs to heal.
If you squeeze sebaceous filaments out from your skin, a waxy, threadlike structure may pop out of your pore. If you squeeze blackheads out from your skin, the dark, waxy plug may pop out of your pore.
If you use a scrub or chemical exfoliator, apply the product gently using small, circular motions. Do this for about 30 seconds, and then rinse off with lukewarm — not hot — water. If you use a brush or sponge, use short light strokes. Never exfoliate if you have open cuts or wounds or if your skin is sunburned.
Glycolic acid is the best keratolytic ingredient overall to treat hard skin because it penetrates skin well and is a powerful keratolytic. You can speed the process by using an exfoliating shower sponge or cloth on your body and/or pumice or foot file on your feet to reduce the buildup of dead cells.
Where you have hardened skin, you'll often see that the area is shiny, discolored, and has hair loss. The hardened skin also tends to lose its ability to sweat.
It takes time to adapt to the new shape. Usually, minimal saggy skin may return to normal shape after weight loss. However, the skin that has been stretched excessively for longer periods becomes saggy with weight loss and requires toning exercises or plastic surgery to remove the excess saggy skin.
If you have sensitive skin and you are exfoliating, you will need to be sure to keep an eye out for warning signs of over-exfoliation. These include irritation, prolonged redness, inflammation, and acne breakouts.
Exfoliating simply speeds up the process by buffing away the dead skin cells from the surface of our skin. Plus, you'll also sweep away dirt and bacteria at the same time. This keeps our skin smooth, soft and glowing with radiance.