• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates

  • Careers
  • Stay Informed
  • Telemedicine
  • Request Appointment
  • Pay Your Bill

Mobile menu contact icon

Mobile menu contact information

  • Telephone: 901-759-2322
  • Contact Us
  • Germantown, TN Office
    Get Directions
  • Arlington, TN Office
    Get Directions
  • Olive Branch, MS Office
    Get Directions
  • Services
    • Medical Services
    • Surgical Services
      • Skin Cancer Surgery
    • Cosmetic Services
      • Viveve Treatment
      • Ultherapy Treatment
      • CoolSculpting Treatment
      • Jeuveau Injection Therapy
      • Revanesse Versa Injection Therapy
      • NeoGraft Hair Restoration
      • Photodynamic Therapy for Acne
    • Medi Spa Services
      • Chemical Peels
      • Facials
      • Microdermabrasion
      • Dermaplaning
      • Laser Skin Rejuvenation
      • Spray Tanning
      • Laser Tattoo Removal Treatment
    • Services for Men
  • For Patients
    • Request Appointment
    • Request Telemedicine Appointment
    • Planning Your Visit
    • Patient Forms
    • Insurance & Billing
    • Online Bill Pay
    • Financing Options
    • Post-Appointment Care
    • Health Information Resources
      • What is a Dermatologist?
      • Anatomy of the Skin
      • Skin Care Topics
      • Skin Conditions
      • Skin Growths
      • Skin Infections
  • For Clinicians
    • Patient Referrals
  • Locations
    • Germantown, TN
    • Olive Branch, MS
    • Arlington, TN
    • Visha Medi Spa
  • About Us
    • Staff
    • Testimonials
  • News
  • Contact
  • Search
You are here: Home / News / Physical face exfoliants aren’t the enemy—so long as you use them properly

October 31, 2018 by Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates

Physical face exfoliants aren’t the enemy—so long as you use them properly

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share

Well + Good posted “Physical face exfoliants aren’t the enemy—so long as you use them properly” featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel.

The article includes Dr. Patel‘s expert commentary on facial exfoliants.

Growing up, I would always grab a ubiquitous facial scrub at the drugstore (which will not be named, but I’m sure you can guess what it is), and go at it on my face, thinking that I was giving my skin just what it needed. It wasn’t until about a decade later that a lawsuit happened and I realized I was rubbing microbeads all over my face in the name of exfoliation, actually doing more harm than good.

This is probably why physical exfoliants have gotten a bad rap. Use the wrong one and you can make micro-tears on the surface of your skin (not to mention it’ll just feel like you’re taking sandpaper to your face). With the rise in popularity (and accessibility) of chemical exfoliants, there’s not even really a need to use a facial scrub anyways.

Alas, in an act of beauty research, I found a Reddit skin-care subthread of a skin-care devotee declaring their love for physical exfoliants. “Physical exfoliation isn’t the devil!” the Redditor (so daringly) states. “There is no need to bash someone who simply prefers to physically exfoliate their skin over chemically exfoliating it. For me, physically exfoliating makes my skin feel a lot cleaner and like I actually cleansed my pores.”

They’re not wrong—there’s no reason not to physically exfoliate, if that’s your preferred method of ridding yourself of dead skin cells. “Yes, physical exfoliants are fine for your skin,” says Purvisha Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare. “Those with normal to oily skin can use physical exfoliants such as face scrubs and facial brushes to further deep clean and take off the surface of the skin.”

All you have to do is avoid overly abrasive exfoliants—and opt for ground-up walnut shells and jojoba beads. “Most physical exfoliants on the market are made out of safe ingredients, but definitely avoid plastic beads or balls,” says Dr. Patel. Instead, look for gentle scrubbers like jojoba beads, or she also recommends sugar crystals and apricot seeds.

“If you have oily skin it is safe to exfoliate in the shower every day,” she says. “Those with combination or dry skin may only be able to tolerate physical exfoliation every two to three days.” And a final word of advice: “When exfoliating, rub in a circular motion and rinse off well, so the dead skin cells are taken off,” says Dr. Patel. Then you can scrub away—minus the detrimental effects and add in a refreshed glow instead.

Read the full article here.

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share

Filed Under: News

Previous Post
Next Post

Primary Sidebar

Request Appointment
901-759-2322

Same-Day Appointments Available for Most Procedures!

    Preferred Appointment Date *

    Full Legal Name *

    Date of Birth *

    Telephone Number *

    Email Address *

    Reason for Appointment *

    Preferred Appointment Location *

    Name of Insurance Plan *

    Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates
    Call 901-759-2322 or request an appointment online today.
     
    • Patient Privacy
    • Copyright Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • Site Map
    • Contact Us

    Copyright © 2022 Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates

    Website by John Gehrig