New Year, New Skin! 5 Tips for Healthy Skin Renewal

Hello, 2020! At the Miami Center for Dermatology, we’re all about healthy skin, but did you know one of the most important parts of having healthy skin is encouraging proper cell renewal? Our Miami dermatologist-approved skincare can help you achieve just that. 

What’s Skin Cell Renewal?

Not many people are aware of this, but your skin is actually the largest organ your body has. In fact, it consists of three layers of tissues: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous layer. 

The epidermis is an extremely thin outer layer on your skin, and it contains tons of dead skin cells that can appear as flakes if you have dry skin. These dead cells are replaced by new cells that are produced in the lower portion of the epidermis. This cycle of constant production and replacement (also known as skin cell renewal or the cell turnover rate) that occurs in your body slows down as you get older. For the average, middle-aged adult, the cycle takes about 28 days and then decreases significantly to about 45-60 days during your 40s and 50s. By the time you’re in your 60s, the rate at which your cells turn over can take up to 90 days. 

With all those dead cells accumulating on your skin, it’s no wonder you experience dryness and hyperpigmentation. Bacteria can also become trapped in the skin, causing acne breakouts to form. There are several factors that affect your skin cycle, such as sun exposure, stress, nutrition, skin conditions, and hormones, but exfoliating is the best way to maintain an average 28-day cell turnover rate, as well as having a healthy skincare routine overall. 

By encouraging faster skin cell renewal, you can brighten your complexion and prevent blemishes and breakouts. Certain ingredients found in topical products, like in our Miami dermatologist-approved skincare, are clearly linked to healthy skin cell renewal, like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). These acids chemically exfoliate your skin in a way that physical exfoliants cannot, which is why our experts here at the Miami Center for Dermatology highly recommend gradually incorporating these chemical exfoliants into your skincare routine. Exfoliation will slough away dead skin cells faster than your natural cell turnover rate can, encouraging healthier, smoother, brighter skin. 

Effective chemical exfoliants include but are not limited to, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid. Physical exfoliants rely on the manual act of rubbing beads, crystals, or ground-up fruit pits to remove dead skin, so be careful not to choose an exfoliant that is too abrasive. You should also be wary of over-exfoliating your skin, which can result in redness, irritation, and sensitivity.

Miami Dermatologist-Approved Skin Care

Our online Dr. Longwill Skincare shop has plenty of exfoliating products, and we highly recommend consulting with one of our dermatologists to determine which exfoliating method you should use and how often you should exfoliate. A couple of our favorite chemical exfoliants include the Molecular Enzyme Peel Serum from la regime™ and the Porefect Cleanser from our custom line of Miami dermatologist-approved skincare. 

The Molecular Enzyme Peel Serum increases epithelial turnover, and contains ions and amino acids present in human skin, which help to restore the levels of moisture after the peeling process. This serum preserves the natural barrier function of the epidermis and provides an immediate increase in skin moisture, helping to ensure long-term maintenance of hydration levels. 

The Porefect Cleanser is specially formulated to accelerate the removal of dead skin cells that can interfere with the proper oil drainage of the skin. Salicylic acid 2% helps to reduce the number of acne blemishes (papules & pustules) and blackheads (comedones) and allows the skin to heal. Remember always to wear sunscreen, especially when you use chemicals like these on your skin, as they make your skin more sensitive to the Sun.

Make sure to visit the Miami Center for Dermatology for a consultation with our board-certified dermatologists to determine which skincare products are right for you! You can easily request an appointment with us right on our website.