26/07/2022
SKIN PURGING AND HOW TO REDUCE THE INTENSITY.
WHAT IS SKIN PURGING?
Skin purging is a temporary skin reaction brought on by adding new and specific products to routine skin care regimens.
During this period the skin experiences break outs like acne,redness,dryness..
A medical cosmetologist, Chang- A, claims that chemical ingredients in skin care products specifically, retinol and AHAs and BHAs can cause this adverse reaction called skin purging, these chemical exfoliants are found in many skin care products.
Why does skin purging occur?
These ingredients often shorten the skin cells turnover rate to 7 to 14 days, which on a norms is 28days( wow, right?).this tends to push dead cells off and increase pores
Other active ingredients normally incorporated in skin care products like exfoliating acids; salicylic acid, glycocylic acid, vitamin C, benozyl peroxide etc, can shorten turn over rate too.
*How long will this last?*
Although, this process is normally confused as breakouts, skin purging shouldn't linger for more than 6 weeks, says Michel Green, a cosmetic dermatologist.
The former can last for months.
Skin purging is normal and shouldn't be a cause for alarm, although, if it continues after 2months, we should discontinue that particular product.
*How to reduce the intensity of purging*
Adhere to your skincare routine.
Incorporate the new product slowly into your routine.
Don't over use exfoliants, during this period, i advised you exfoliate twice in two weeks or once week, as opposed to the normal two times in a week.
Do this till the skin gets used to the new product.
Don't pick at blemishes
Apply moisturizer with sunscreen to avoid dryness and damage by the sun's UV.