You’ve probably looked in the mirror and seen it before–large pores that make your cheeks look like the dimpled surface of a golf ball, flaky patches of dry skin, wrinkles, scars, and more. You do your best to cover these issues, but somehow, makeup only draws attention to them. Some days, it can feel like you’re wearing a mask of dried oatmeal.
Almost everyone struggles with skin texture sometimes, even if they’re careful about the products they use. Trying to understand the cause can be challenging and determining the best treatment seems so frustrating.
Let’s talk about what causes textured skin and what you can do about it!
What Causes Textured Skin?
When we talk about textured skin, we’re usually referring to:
- Enlarged pores
- Rough patches
- Bumps
- Scarring
- Minor discolouration
Many of these issues develop due to a buildup of dead skin cells.
As a child and adolescent, your skin has a 30-day lifecycle–every month or so, the dead skin cells slough away and you’re left with fresh, smooth skin. But as you age, that lifecycle slows down. As a result, dead skin cells can collect at the surface, creating a dull and textured appearance.
Textured skin can also stem from a range of factors, including:
At-Home Care For Textured Skin
Clients who experience mild forms of textured skin on an occasional basis may benefit by making a few changes to their standard beauty routine.
A Healthy Lifestyle
Your skin can be an excellent indicator for your overall health. So it’s always important to start with the basics. Get 8-9 hours of sleep at night. Eat a nutrient-rich and balanced diet. Drink lots of water, and make sure you engage in plenty of exercise.
Health reflects on your face. If you invest time and energy into a healthy lifestyle, you’ll see results.
Medical Grade Skincare
Yes, you can buy skincare products at the drugstore. But they’re not your best option.
Drugstore products only contain a limited volume of active medicinal ingredients so anyone can use them without hurting themselves. Yes, it means there’s a very small chance of someone having a negative reaction, but it also means the product may not be strong enough to really benefit your skin.
Medical-grade skincare products are designed to be purchased and used under medical supervision–meaning they contain higher concentrations of the active ingredients. As a result, these products can penetrate the top layer of your skin and benefit the deeper layers, making a more noticeable impact.
Exfoliate
When there’s a build-up of cells on the surface of the skin, it may be time to consider adding a gentle face scrub to your beauty regime. Gentle exfoliation can help polish away dead skin cells, resulting in softer and smoother skin.
Not all exfoliants include a gritty substance. Many products use active ingredients like hydroxy acids or retinol to gently and safely erode dead skin without roughing up the new skin underneath.
Moisturize
If you’re experiencing patches of texture in targeted areas of the face, you may benefit from additional moisture in those troublesome spots. A hydrating serum that focuses on weightless moisture can help replenish nutrients in problem areas and help skin feel smoother.
It’s important to know that there are different ways to hydrate your skin. humectants are products that pull moisture from the air and bind it to the skin. Meanwhile, emollients prevent the moisture that’s already in your skin from escaping.
Treatments
A serum containing vitamin C may help supplement lost cell production, providing additional protection against pollution and free radicals that affect the skin’s texture. In addition, antioxidants like retinol help accelerate cellular turnover, resulting in smoother, more supple skin.
Protection
Yes, you already know this part, but we’ll say it louder for the people in the back: Sun damage is a massive contributor to your skin concerns. Too much sun exposure can result in uneven skin texture, as well as various other concerns like enlarged pores and hyperpigmentation.
When it comes to sun damage, it’s easier to prevent than cure. Protect your skin from additional damage by adding sun protection to your daily skincare routine.
See a Professional for Deeper Exfoliation
If making small changes or adding higher quality products to your skincare regime doesn’t seem to make a difference, or if your skin’s uneven texture is causing significant discomfort or concern, it may be time to speak with a professional.
Patients with skin texture concerns that can’t be treated with over-the-counter products may benefit from skin resurfacing.
Besides uneven texture, skin resurfacing can also be used to treat:
- Age spots
- Discolouration
- Acne scars
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles
- Uneven skin tone
- Enlarged pores
Laser Skin Resurfacing
This treatment is performed with a medical-grade laser that gently vaporizes the skin’s outer layer, while warming the deeper layers to stimulate collagen production. Increased collagen helps improve the skin’s appearance, resulting in smoother, more youthful-looking skin.
Chemical Skin Resurfacing
Chemical peels are often used to help restore some of the skin’s natural glow. These treatments involve the use of special chemicals that cause the top layers of skin to flake off, exposing the younger-looking skin underneath.
Mechanical Skin Resurfacing
Generally, people use the term “mechanical skin resurfacing” to describe microdermabrasion. However, this term may also be used to describe dermaplaning and microneedling.
Both dermaplaning and microdermabrasion are heavier exfoliation techniques. Dermaplaning uses a special blade to scrape dead skin and even very fine hair away from the face.
Microdermabrasion also removes outer layers of skin, but this treatment uses a special handheld device. Some microdermabrasion systems (like the one we use) also deposit a serum designed to meet your unique skin needs.
Smooth Sailing
Many factors can contribute to textured skin, and it can be difficult to determine why some people experience irregularities and unevenness. Making changes to your skincare routine may help, but it’s best to speak with a professional for thorough analysis and treatment options.
If you have questions about textured skin, or would like a free personalized consultation to go over treatment options, contact Iconic Beauty Aesthetics. We’re determined to help our patients feel confident and happy in their beautiful, smoother skin.
You’re in excellent hands with the experienced professionals at Iconic Beauty Aesthetics!
