Smooth Skin Secrets: Treating Textured Skin

The Quest for Smooth Skin

We all want beautifully soft and smooth skin. But many of us deal with textured skin. In fact, it is impossible to achieve completely untextured skin because we all have pores.

What is meant by textured skin? Simply put, this refers to uneven skin texture. It could mean bumpy areas, unequally sized pores, or just dry or uneven skin tone. Who is most likely to suffer from textured skin? This may come as a surprise, but nearly everyone experiences textured skin. You will go through many changes over the course of your lifetime and so will your skin. No matter your skin type, you may have a tendency toward textured skin. This subject will be sure to be of interest to everyone.

What causes textured skin? Here is our list of some common causes.

1. Acne or Acne Scarring
Whether you suffer from small blackheads or full blown comedones, acne can disrupt the skin’s surface. Acne can be caused by a combination of factors. From genetics to bacteria, excess dead skin cells to dirt and oils, all of these issues can cause clogged pores and lead to different types of acne.

If you have had persistent acne or even one significant breakout, you may have scarring. Whether you have picked at your skin or not, acne can cause major scarring. This is a major cause in roughly textured skin.

2. Dry Skin
A deficiency of oils in the skin can lead to dry skin. When there aren’t enough oils in the skin, there is no longer a moisture barrier and this can cause dryness. Some other causes cause of dry skin could be psoriasis or keratosis pilaris. Whatever the cause, dryness with definitely change the texture of the skin.

3. Enlarged Pores
This feature of skin is largely caused by genetics but pores can also become enlarged when clogged by dirt and oils. The aging process also affects the pores and they can become enlarged over time. Enlarged pores can create a rough texture of the skin.

4. Fine Lines and Wrinkles
As we lose elastin, collagen, and hyaluronic acid in our skin, it begins to become rough and dry. The structure of skin changes and fine lines and wrinkles may occur. Whether it’s the development of crow’s feet, crepey skin, or just sagging skin, this type of change can cause a change in the texture of the skin.

5. Milia
The accumulation of keratin around the eyes can clog pores and form tiny bumps called milia. Milia is definitely a texture change on the skin and can even form on the cheeks or forehead in rarer cases. It is one of the causes of textured skin.

6. Aging
Everyone ages and as we age our skin becomes increasingly textured. Pores, lines, creases, and cracks can create textured skin.

Now that we know some of the causes of textured skin, let’s talk about how to treat the texture and get back to that baby soft skin you deserve.

Secrets to Treating Textured Skin

There are two paths to smoother skin. One is in the form of professional-grade treatments you’d receive from a dermatologist or a professional aesthetician, in a clinic. The other is treatment you’d perform on your own skin at home. Ideally your regiment would include a healthy mix of care at home and in-office procedures. Both styles of treatment are effective, but let’s delve into what they entail.

Professional Treatments to Soften the Skin

HydraFacial
This is a treatment that is suitable for all types of skin. It helps to create a clean and clear look to the complexion. The treatment involves removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, resulting in a clear and glowing appearance. With just one session, you can achieve a more radiant look. In addition, HydraFacial improves skin texture, making it smoother and clearer. Unlike other treatments that may dry out the skin, HydraFacial works by hydrating and moisturizing the skin.

Professional Peel
A professional peel could be made of any type of active ingredient. They’re typically created using fruit extracts, such as pineapple or papaya. These ingredients are specifically designed to remove skin cells but are more potent and effective than the level of active ingredients in your at-home skin care products. The purpose of these active ingredients is to exfoliate the skin and once the skin is exfoliated, the surface is much smoother and feels softer.

Professional peels exfoliate, but they also contain antioxidants which can improve the overall quality of the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Laser Resurfacing
This entails using a laser to remove the epidermis of the skin. Once this layer is removed, the lower level of the skin, called the dermis, is heated up to stimulate collagen and firm up the skin. This technique can be very effective in resurfacing the skin. It can reduce the look of acne scarring, psoriasis and sun damage as well as reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crepey skin.

Microneedling
Microneedling involves inserting tiny needles into the skin. These little needles emit a radiofrequency that promotes the production of collagen and elastin. This can be a very effective treatment in the resurfacing of the skin, but requires anywhere between two and five treatments.

Microneedling is particularly effective in the reduction of acne scarring and enlarged pores.

Dermaplaning
The most intense of the options here, dermaplaning entails the use of a scalpel to remove the unwanted dead skin cells. When the layer of skin cells underneath the epidermis is revealed, the skin has a much brighter appearance and many people are very happy with the result. It is highly effective for the resurfacing of the skin.

Of the treatments for resurfacing textured skin, this is one of the more effective treatments.

At Home Skin Care

Cleanse
Make sure to cleanse the skin thoroughly and completely each night before bed. Anything you leave on your face will create a more textured look and could do real damage to your skin. Consult your dermatologist or aesthetician for more information on how to find the perfect cleanser.

Exfoliate
Each of the professional treatments discussed above includes exfoliating skin to improve the texture. So it just makes sense to incorporate an exfoliating technique into your home routine. At-home exfoliation can be accomplished through chemicals, like glycolic or salicylic acid, or through manual techniques like scrubby brushes or cloths.

*Important note-be careful not to scrub your skin too assertively. This could cause irreparable skin damage.

Moisturize
When your skin is hydrated, the cells live a longer life. That means exfoliating the skin can be a little less frequent.  Keeping the moisturized, beautiful skin you have is a great way to keep the texture of your skin nice and smooth.

Sunscreen
Keeping your skin protected from the sun can help keep it from scarring. This can mean improved skin texture. You will never regret protecting that beautiful skin surface.

Conclusion

Whether you choose to treat your skin professionally or do an at-home treatment, there are many options that can be used to improve skin’s texture. A combination of both is probably the most effective. When in doubt, ask the experts.

EpiCentre Skin Care

At EpiCentre, we have been committed to helping our patients look their best since 2008. In the Dallas area, we are the number one source for skin care. Whether you’d like to take advantage of our profession skin care treatments, since as chemical peels or dermaplaning, or if you’d like recommendations on your at-home skin care routine, we are happy to help. We take pride in our patients, and we want to assist you as you achieve your skin goals to have beautiful skin. For more information, or to schedule a consultation, visit our website, or call us today at (214) 887-1577.