Why Your Skin Desperately Needs a Spring Reset (And How to Do It Right)
Winter is finally making its exit, and with it, our skin is left feeling dry, dull, and congested. After months of battling cold, dry air and indoor heating, your skin is practically begging for a reset. As spring blooms in Northern Colorado, it’s the perfect time to shed that winter buildup and let your fresh, glowing skin shine through.
At Skin Deep in Fort Collins, we know that giving your skin a good spring clean goes beyond just swapping out your moisturizer or adding a serum. It’s about addressing the deeper layers and ridding your skin of the dry, dead cells that have built up over the colder months. That’s where professional exfoliation comes in.
Why Exfoliate Anyway?
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, which helps to:
Brighten your complexion by revealing the fresh, healthy skin underneath.
Improve product absorption so your skincare routine actually works.
Prevent clogged pores and reduce the likelihood of breakouts.
Smooth your skin texture to create that soft, glowing appearance.
But not all exfoliation is created equal. Here’s how to go about exfoliating the right way and avoid the common pitfalls of over-exfoliating.
The Dangers of Over-Exfoliating: When Good Intentions Go Wrong
One of the biggest mistakes we see at Skin Deep is over-exfoliation—and it’s more common than you might think. It often happens when clients try to speed up their results by using too many exfoliating products at home or layering multiple acids and scrubs.
Signs You’re Over-Exfoliating:
Redness and Irritation: Your skin becomes angry, inflamed, and overly sensitive.
Tightness and Dryness: Your skin feels stripped of moisture and overly tight.
Increased Breakouts: Interestingly, too much exfoliation can actually lead to more clogged pores and breakouts.
Flaking and Peeling: Your skin is shedding excessively and feels rough to the touch.
How to Fix Over-Exfoliated Skin:
Stop All Exfoliation: Give your skin a break from scrubs, acids, and other active ingredients.
Hydrate Intensely: Use a gentle moisturizer to soothe the skin barrier.
Barrier Repair: Opt for products with ceramides, fatty acids, and squalane to help restore moisture.
Book a Recovery Facial: Our Skin Deep estheticians are trained to treat and calm irritated skin, helping it bounce back after over-exfoliation. The Skin Deep Facial is a great place to start.
“I already exfoliate at home, why would I need a professional treatment?”
If you’re used to using a scrub or exfoliating toner at home, you might think you’ve got your bases covered. While those can help maintain your skin between treatments, professional exfoliation provides deeper, longer-lasting results that at-home products just can’t match.
At-Home Exfoliation:
Includes scrubs, AHAs/BHAs, or enzyme masks.
Can be too harsh or too mild, leading to either irritation or minimal results.
Limited to superficial layers of the skin.
Hard to customize to your unique skin type and needs.
Professional Exfoliation:
Utilizes advanced techniques like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and dermaplaning.
Safely penetrates deeper layers to address pigmentation, texture, and aging.
Performed by trained estheticians who customize treatments to your skin’s needs.
Delivers dramatic, immediate results that last longer.
Our Top Professional Exfoliation Treatments at Skin Deep
1. Chemical Peels: Smooth and Brighten Your Skin
Chemical peels use medical-grade solutions to exfoliate the outer layers of your skin, promoting cell turnover and improving texture. Ideal for:
Reducing fine lines and wrinkles
Minimizing sun damage and dark spots
Smoothing rough patches and uneven tone
Our Skin Deep Peels utilize PCA Skin formulations that are safe and effective for all skin types. Whether you’re targeting hyperpigmentation, acne, or signs of aging, we’ll customize a peel to fit your needs.
2. Microdermabrasion: Gentle, Deep Exfoliation
Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive exfoliation technique that uses a diamond-tipped wand to gently remove dead skin cells. It’s perfect for:
Smoothing rough texture
Reducing the appearance of pores
Enhancing product penetration
Our DiamondTome™ Skin Resurfacing System provides a deep cleanse and exfoliation without downtime, leaving your skin immediately smoother and more radiant.
3. Dermaplaning: The Ultimate Glow-Up
Dermaplaning uses a sterile surgical blade to remove dead skin and peach fuzz from the surface of your skin. The result? Ultra-smooth, glowing skin that allows makeup to apply flawlessly.
Benefits include:
Removing vellus hair (peach fuzz)
Smoothing out rough texture
Helping skincare products absorb better
This treatment is an ideal add-on to any facial or as a standalone service to create a fresh, dewy look.
At-Home Exfoliation Done Right
If it makes sense for your skin, we actually encourage many of our clients to exfoliate at home between professional treatments. We always make recommendations based on your unique skin needs, but here are a few generic tips on how to exfoliate safely at home:
Use Gentle Products: Opt for enzyme-based or lactic acid exfoliants instead of harsh scrubs. These ingredients help dissolve dead skin cells without causing microtears or irritation.
Keep It Infrequent: Limit at-home exfoliation to once or twice a week to avoid over-exfoliating and damaging your skin barrier.
Follow with Barrier Repair: Always apply a hydrating serum and ceramide-rich moisturizer immediately after exfoliating to lock in moisture and support your skin's recovery.
Get Professional Guidance: Not sure if your products are helping or harming? Bring your skincare lineup into Skin Deep for a consultation. We’ll help you build a balanced routine that doesn’t compromise your skin barrier.
Why Professional Exfoliation Matters More in the Spring
During winter, your skin’s natural turnover process slows down, leading to a buildup of dead skin cells that cause dullness and congestion. While at-home exfoliation can help maintain your glow, it’s not enough to clear out months of buildup.
Spring is about renewal—not just for your surroundings, but for your skin too. By booking a professional exfoliation treatment at Skin Deep, you’re giving your skin a well-deserved reset, priming it for warmer weather and sunnier days.
Book your professional exfoliation appointment today and let our estheticians guide you to your best skin yet.