How do I Choose the Best Exfoliating Treatment?

Choosing the best exfoliating treatment means choosing a treatment that is well matched to one's skin type and one's skin needs. There are quite a few exfoliating treatments to choose from. Some must be performed by an aesthetician and dermatologist and can require multiple sessions. Others can simply be performed at home.

For those who are looking for gentle exfoliation just to keep the skin clear and healthy, products that can be purchased over the counter and used at home are generally sufficient. The strength of these sorts of products are also usually best for people with sensitive skin who can have negative reactions to more powerful exfoliating treatment products that are applied in professional skin care settings. For people who are looking for exfoliating treatment options that will create dramatic results, professional-strength products may be required.

The price of the various treatments also range quite a bit. An exfoliating treatment performed at a spa or in a dermatologist's office can cost $100 USD or more. Exfoliating treatment products that are intended for use at home, however, can cost as little as $5 USD for a bottle or tube that will last between a few weeks and a few months.

The gentlest exfoliating treatments are usually exfoliating cleanser or exfoliating soap. These products can be used at home on a regular basis. The next level up in terms of exfoliating treatment options includes exfoliating masks and face polish, which can be used on a weekly basis. The most intense level of exfoliating treatment options includes microdermabrasion and chemical peels. Microdermabrasion and chemical peels are most commonly performed in spas or by dermatologists.

As chemical peels go, there are a number of grades, from light and medium to deep. Some chemical peels, especially those that fall into the light category, can be used at home. More intense chemical peels usually have to be administered by a skin care professional who will also oversee important aftercare procedures and treatments for the skin.

Exfoliating treatments have become more and more popular as ways to keep the skin clear and glowing, and to reduce the signs of aging. As such, some people decide to invest in spa-quality tools such as microdermabrasion machines for home use. In fact, in order to respond to this demand, some companies that make spa-quality exfoliating treatment machines now make models for use at home.