Normally, when we think that a new product is causing us to break out we toss it out and never use it again. But, what if we were to tell you that breakouts are a sign that your new skin product is actually working? Many people dread the skin purging process and we get it! No one wants to break out when we are trying to clear our skin in the first place. Skin purging is a very common process that your skin goes through when starting a new product but itβs just a small minor inconvenience on the road to clearer, smoother, and younger-looking skin.
Skin Purging Meaning
The term βskin purgingβ refers to a reaction to an active ingredient increasing the skin cell turnover rate. As skin cell turnover speeds up, the skin starts shedding dead skin cells faster than normal. The goal is to expose the fresh skin cells underneath and reveal clearer youthful-looking skin. That sounds amazing, right? Thereβs always a catch. Before these healthy new cells can cycle to the surface, other stuff has to rise to the surface first. Such as the excess sebum, flakes, and buildup that clogs pores. In short, all the makings of a pimple or twoβ¦ or maybe even ten. This is what we all dread about βskin purging.β As the skin begins to shed more quickly on the surface, our skin is expediting its recovery and therefore pushing everything to the surface. The skin purging process is triggered by skincare products, chemical peels, or lasers that can increase the skin cell turnover rate.
Ingredients That Increase Cell Turnover Rate
As explained above, skin purging is a reaction to an active ingredient increasing the cell turnover rate and causing your dermis to shed excess cells, bacteria, and oil that is clogging your pores. Some of the most common active ingredients that cause skin purging are:
- Vitamin C
- AHAs (glycolic acid and lactic acid)
- BHAs (salicylic acid)
- Retinoids (vitamin A skincare)
- Benzoyl peroxide
How to Tell If Your Skin Is Purging
Irritation from a new product thatβs not from retinoids, acids, or peels is more likely to be a case of an allergic reaction or sensitivity. If you begin to see breakouts/dryness in an area of your face where you donβt normally break out, itβs probably a response to a new product youβre using and it is best to discontinue the use of the new product. Purging will occur in a more defined area where you typically break out. For example, if youβre prone to occasional flaking under your nostrils and pimples on your cheek, purging will take it to the max. The good thing about purging is that pimples that come up from purging will typically appear and disappear faster than a normal pimple.
How to Treat Skin Purging
The skin purging process can last from four to six weeks, and it may seem like a long dreadful time to get the skin of your dreams. Once the purging process has started, thereβs not a whole lot that you can do to speed up the process. The best thing that you can do is to continue the use of your new product and wait for the breakouts to go away on their own. There are some tips that can help minimize the severity of the dreadful purge:
- Ease into it: It is almost always recommended to start your new product slowly. This ensures that your skin has time to adjust to the new product. Try only using your new product once during the first week of treatment and once your skin has adjusted, you can ramp up the frequency to every day or every other day.
- Use gentle products: Use a gentle cleanser and apply a moisturizer to help reduce further inflammation, dry skin, and irritation.
- Avoid picking at your skin: You may notice that your skin is extra sensitive during the purging process, it is best to minimize touching your face and picking at your clogged pores. Irritating your skin can extend the length of your skin purge and may also cause acne scarring.
As annoying as it can be, the skin purging process will all be worthwhile once your skin has adjusted to your new routine. It might be challenging at first but⦠trust the process.
At Live Young Wellness Spa, we want you to walk in our front doors and feel confident that you will receive the best care for your individual needs. It is our job to ensure that happens. We have locations in Flower Mound at 2931 Long Prairie Rd. Flower Mound, TX 75022 and Castle Hills (Carrollton) at 4541 N. Josey Ln. #120 Carrollton, TX 75010.
For more information about Dr. Drew Sanderson, click here.