Within 21 to 28 days, our skin sheds off and replaces the old cells at the topmost layer of our skin.
However, when you introduce a foreign ingredient to your skin, your skin adjusts according to the chemical’s mechanism of action.
Hence, if it is an active ingredient that increases the turnover of your skin (e.g. retinoids and acids), you can expect all the filth to come out at a much faster pace. It may be in the form of sebum, dead skin cells, blackheads, or even cystic acne. This is what they call it “purging”.
The whole process can take as short as 2 weeks or as long as 6 weeks. It will come out in areas where you usually get breakouts or where the dirt and debris are lurking. So think of it as a cleansing mechanism that tries to push out all the grime in one go. However, just keep going and it will be over before you know it.
Whereas when you are reacting to an ingredient, diffused redness, stinging, and itchiness appear within 24 hours of application. It either feels like an allergic reaction that you feel the need to scratch or sunburn that stings and is sensitive to touch. If this is what you experience, wash it off immediately, apply a gentle moisturizer to help calm down your skin, and keep the product out of sight.
Also Read:
- A Guide to Use Temporary Hair Colors
- Everything You Need to Know About Photo aging
- What Is Actinic Keratosis?
About the Author: Dr. Elli Reyes is a specialist of Aesthetic Medicine from the Philippines. With over four years of specialized training, her aesthetic practice has involved a variety of skin treatments involving Botox, fillers, and the like. As a licensed physician, she has been engaged by multiple clinics and is regularly interviewed by the local media as an expert in the science of the skin. Her research and writings to date have centered on nutrition, functional health, and general beauty.
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