Exfoliation in cosmetology is a cosmetic technique aimed at removing dead skin cells from the face and body. Removing excess dead skin cells prevents ingrown hairs and can reveal the younger and healthier-looking skin underneath. Cosmetology is the treatment of skin, hair and nails and includes, but is not limited to, manicures, pedicures, application of artificial nails, special occasion hairstyling, shampooing hair, cosmetic application, body hair removal, chemical hair relaxers or straighteners, permanent waves, coloring and highlighting of hair, and hair extensions or wig treatments. ... This article is about skin in the biological sense. ... Ingrown hair is a condition where the hair curls back or grows sideways into the skin. ...

Exfoliation can be achieved through mechanical methods such as micro-bead facial scrubs and abrasive cloths, as well as by chemical methods. Salicylic acid and glycolic acid (a type of alpha hydroxy acid) can be applied as chemical peels by a dermatologist to aid rejuvenation of the skin and other conditions such as acne scarring. Both acids can also be found in lower concentrations in over-the-counter products. Facial scrubs can be grainy and contain ingredients like crushed almond shells and sugar or salt crystals, or can be less abrasive and contain fruit enzymes like citric acid or malic acid. Salicylic acid is the chemical compound with the formula C6H4(OH)CO2H, where the OH group is adjacent to the carboxylic acid group. ... Glycolic acid (or hydroxyacetic acid) is the smallest α-hydroxy acid (AHA). ... α-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are naturally occurring carboxylic acids which are well-known for their use in the cosmetics industry. ... Category: ... Dermatology (from Greek derma, skin) is a branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its appendages (hair, nails, sweat glands etc). ... Binomial name Prunus dulcis (Mill. ... Magnification of typical sugar showing monoclinic hemihedral crystal stucture. ... A magnified crystal of a salt (halite/sodium chloride) A salt, in chemistry, is any ionic compound composed of cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negative ions) so that the product is neutral (without a net charge). ... Quartz crystal In chemistry and mineralogy, a crystal is a solid in which the constituent atoms, molecules, or ions are packed in a regularly ordered, repeating pattern extending in all three spatial dimensions. ... Fruit stall in Barcelona, Spain. ... Ribbon diagram of the enzyme TIM, surrounded by the space-filling model of the protein. ... Citric acid is a weak organic acid found in citrus fruits. ... Malic acid is a tart-tasting organic acid that plays a role in many sour or tart foods. ...

The term is commonly used as a part of the day-to-day skin care routine. The cosmetic procedures dermabrasion and microdermabrasion are both extreme cases of exfoliation where the surface layer of skin is removed by sanding. Dermabrasion involves the removal of the surface of the skin with specialist equipment and usually involves a general anaesthetic. ... Microdermabrasion (often referred to as Microderm) is a cosmetic procedure popular in day spas and medical spas, in which the stratum cornea (outermost surface of the skin) is partially or completely removed by light abrasion. ...