Your skin’s hiding a dirty little secret: beneath your dermis lies germs, toxins, and bacteria that’s been festering for goodness knows how long. No, this doesn’t make a gross monster who neglects your basic hygienic needs. In fact, if you’re like lots of us, aside from your monthly professional facial, your at-home routine throughout the month is pretty straight-forward: wash, cleanse, moisturize, and apply sunscreen. If you’re one of the more thorough ones, you may throw in a little serum every now and then for that extra razzle-dazzle.
Regardless of your AM and PM skincare routines, it’s imperative to detox or reset on a regular basis. Doing so helps to get rid of all the buildup that’s been having an infection fiesta beneath the surface. Party’s over! Here are the most common signs it’s time for a detox:
Dull Complexion
If you look in the mirror and your skin has a dry, lackluster appearance, chances are you’re due for a dermal deep-cleaning. Built-up impurities cause low blood circulation. As a result, your skin doesn’t look moisturized and dewy. Instead, because of the lack of oxygen and vital nutrients, there’s nothing left except dead skin cells and deep-down dirt that steals the show. Skin vitality requires healthy cellular metabolism (the removal of waste and toxins from the skin) as well as healthy collagen production, the skin’s protein that provides structural support. These two factors help keep your skin smooth and firm, and provide much needed elasticity.
Oiliness
On the other hand, if your skin’s the complete opposite of dry and it seems to be oozing with oil, this could mean it’s desperate for a dermal deep-cleaning as well. Sebum is the oil our skin naturally produces, which provides tons of health benefits. However, in this case, there is a such thing as “too much of a good thing.” Shiney skin is evidence that it’s releasing toxins, creating an unflattering greasy appearance.
Clogged Pores Leading to Breakouts
Pimples popping up left and right could indicate that your skin’s overloaded with germs and bacteria. Purging is what your skin does to rid its layers of accumulated gunk stuck inside your pores. Breakouts stem from an overgrowth of bacteria. Eventually, this leads to inflammation causing firm red bumps, or zits. Whether you’re seeing clusters of pimples or if they’re scattered across your forehead or cheekbones, a thorough dermal deep-cleaning can send pimples packing in no time.
Uneven Skin Tone
Sun exposure and environmental factors can lead to excess melanin production, leaving unsightly blemishes that are easy to notice and challenging to eliminate. Your skin naturally detoxifies and renews itself when it’s properly cared for. But if it appears blotchy, or if you’re noticing hyperpigmentation or dark spots, then it’s another sign that a detox is in your best interest.
What Does a Skin Detox Involve, and How Do I Achieve This at Home?
While regular spa facials cleanse and buff away external pollutants and pimple-causing germs, a deep cleanse, or a detox, does as the name implies: it removes set-in toxins and bacteria from beneath the dermis. Detox treatments often include extractions, using medical-grade equipment to suction out dirt and debris, and enzyme masks, which provide pore-cleansing properties and nourishing vitamins that settle deep down in the skin. In fact, any moisturizers or skin treatments used on your skin following an enzyme mask will penetrate much better, causing long-lasting results you’ll love.
So what about when you’re at home? Two words: gentle exfoliator. Using soft abrasives that scrub away set-in dirt and impurities reveals glowy skin and prepares it for topicals like serums and moisturizers to keep it feeling soft and supple.
Achieve the Radiant Glow You’ve Been Waiting For
When it’s all said and done, our skin can amaze us in both good ways and bad. It’s our responsibility to unlock its healthiest and most gorgeous potential yet. Getting monthly facials and keeping up with your daily and nightly skincare regimen is great, but don’t forget to do one of the most important steps of all: detox.
If you’re not sure where to start, The Only Facial’s got you covered. Book an appointment at any of our conveniently located spas, and feel free to open up to our trustworthy professionals about your most recent skin concerns. We’ll be happy to provide our fortifying services that’ll leave your skin completely unrecognizable in the best way possible.