Cellular Turnover in terms of Skin Health & preventing the signs of premature skin aging

Cellular Turnover is the process in which our skin produces new skin cells and is a major factor in how our skin looks and feels.

*Click here to win with Dermaceutic.

Skin Cells are formed in the basal layer of the epidermis (the deepest layer) and move upwards through the epidermis to the stratum corneum (the uppermost layer); where they are then shed through a process called desquamation. Cellular Turnover describes how quickly this process happens. Your age and your skin’s health determine the time this process takes.

For example, babies’ cellular turnover is approximately 2 weeks and as you age this process slows down and can even take as long as 90 days! Babies’ skin is so supple, smooth and luminous looking because it is constantly being renewed. As we age this process gets slower and slower and our skin starts looking dull and wrinkly as the dead skin cells take longer and longer to shed.

Aside from age, which we can do nothing about, there are various other processes that can affect the cellular turnover of the skin. These factors can be broken into two categories: extrinsic (external) and intrinsic (internal). Extrinsic factors include smoking, sun exposure and general lifestyle. Whereas intrinsic factors include hormones and your genes.

If your skin is not functioning optimally due to one of the above factors, it will cause your cellular turnover to slow down. Dead skin cells will start building up on your stratum corneum, resulting in your skin looking dull with irregular texture. This is due to a build-up of the dead skin cells clogging your pores and accumulating in fine lines and wrinkles, therefore accentuating these crevices.

Besides the visible effects of poor cellular turnover, it can also exacerbate certain skin indications such as eczema or allergic dermatitis. It is therefore vital to look after your skin and make sure that you are doing what you can to keep the Cellular Turnover as efficient as possible.

A poor Cellular Turnover rate can result in: acne, pigmentation, overall aged and unhealthy looking skin.

A Dermaceutic Skin Professional will be able to advise you regarding your skin’s current state and what can be changed to assist in getting your skin as healthy as possible. If your lifestyle is contributing to poor Cellular Turnover, then you may have to consider quitting smoking, adjusting your diet and limiting sun exposure. All these changes will assist in renewing your skin and facilitate optimal intercellular functioning.

A build-up of dead skin cells due to a slow Cellular Turnover rate can be targeted with certain key ingredients such as Retinoids and Alpha Hydroxy Acids, namely Glycolic Acid. Chemical Exfoliation is one of the most effective ways of renewing Cellular Turnover and can act as a catalyst for Collagen and Elastin production.

Glycolic Acid breaks down the bonds between the corneocytes (dead skin cells) and allows these dead cells to be easily sloughed off. By speeding up this process of shedding, the stem cells within the deep layers of the epidermis will then be stimulated to form new skin cells and the process from beginning to end will be sped up. These new cells are also full of water, which results in an immediate plumping effect which softens fine lines and wrinkles.

Another effective way of speeding up this process is through regular professional Chemical Peels. Superficial peels such as the Mask Peel and Milk Peel, include Glycolic Acid in their formulations and therefore reduces the cellular cohesion between the corneocytes, causing flaking away of dead skin cells. The Dermaceutic Cosmo Peel and Cosmo Peel Forte contain TCA (trichloroacetic acid) and are superficial to medium depth peels; resulting in sloughing off the dead skin cells and stimulating Collagen and Elastin production, which immediately makes the skin appear plump and hydrated.

Retinol is also a very effective ingredient in renewing Cellular Turnover. Retinol first stimulates the removal of dead skin cells from the surface and then acts as a cell regulator by inducing Collagen and Elastin production. Retinol is one of the most powerful active ingredients in targeting the signs of skin aging - and should certainly always be included in your homecare regime. However, it is important to note that Retinol is very potent – simply click here to learn how to safely and effectively introduce this skincare active into your beauty regime.

The Dermaceutic homecare cosmeceutical, which is an essential in stimulating cellular renewal, is Turn Over. This stimulating night cream contains 15% Glycolic Acid which is scientifically formulated to break down the corneocyte bonds between the dead skin cells and effectively remove them. Turn Over offers a high concentration of active ingredients; Dermaceutic Laboratoire advises clients to slowly introduce the product to one’s skin and eventually it can be used every night.

Turn Over is a night cream which targets fine lines and wrinkles and results in the skin being brighter with a more regular texture. It is also excellent when included in an Acne regime, as it removes dead skin cells clogged up in pores which would otherwise cause a build-up of bacteria and sebum.

Dermaceutic Laboratoire’s Turn Over can effectively be combined with Activ Retinol 0.5 at night to target the signs of skin aging and it can also be used to prepare the skin for professional Chemical Peels and maintenance between peels.

A slow Cellular Turnover rate is one of the primary factors in the way skin ages, however, it can be directly targeted with a powerful and effective stimulating night cream such as Dermaceutic Turn Over. This high performing night cream is scientifically formulated to speed up Cellular Turnover and will result in the skin feeling smooth, hydrated and rejuvenated.

Connect with Dermaceutic Laboratoire via Facebook or Instagram.

Simply click here to sign-up to the Newsletter.