What To Do When You Have A Skin Inflammation Flare-Up
You may notice from time to time that your skin is more sensitive to products or some inflammation or flushing in the cheeks is happening. These are all signs that your skin is feeling sensitized. But don’t worry, it’s usually temporary and there is a way to heal it.
While some people do have a more sensitive skin type, sensitized skin can happen to anyone. There are plenty of things to do both at home and in the spa to help soothe and calm the skin when experiencing hypersensitivity or inflammation.
CAUSES
Physical Exfoliation: Major culprits of over-exfoliation are physical scrubs. Physical exfoliants can be very effective in helping with texture and dryness, but should be used somewhat sparingly to avoid over-sensitization. Physical exfoliants are essentially scrubbing away dead skin cells to smooth the skin, but they are also removing some of the protective skin barrier made up of healthy lipids on the surface of the skin. When that protective barrier is depleted, that’s when we can notice sensitivity, redness and inflammation. In many cases, this kind of over-exfoliation can even exacerbate acne by allowing bacteria and debris to more readily absorb into the skin. For more resilient types, a true face scrub should only be used a maximum of 3 or 4 times a week. For more sensitive skin types, it’s recommended to use a physical exfoliant as little as once a week to a few times a month.
Chemical Exfoliation: Another common cause of hypersensitivity is the over use of chemical exfoliants and retinols. The products increase cell turnover which causes dead skin cells to fall off on their own and increases production of new younger cells. Too much cell turnover can deplete the skin’s lipid barrier as well, usually causing some redness or excess tingling with products that wouldn’t typically do that. Temporarily discontinue use of these products for a few days to a couple weeks depending on how reactive your skin is to let your skin recover and restore its natural lipid barrier.
Misuse of products: Unfortunately, when using advanced skincare products, like acids and retinols, there are a lot of stipulations that come with using them correctly. Here are some examples of misuse of products that may lead to extreme irritation, inflammation, and hypersensitivity:
Using retinols and acids during the daytime
Layering products that shouldn’t go together
Using a chemical exfoliant or acid after over exfoliating with a scrub or loofa
Keeping your nighttime products on through the next day
Skipping out on washing your face both day and night
Not putting moisturizer on after your serums
Using strong retinols and other chemical exfoliants every night
To learn more about how to correctly use your skincare products, set up a consultation with us to create your at-home skincare plan!
Weather: Changes in seasons can cause your skin to have a reaction. And most often then not, you must change up the kinds of products you're using depending on the weather. For example, when we move from summer to winter, many people experience dehydrated, chapped, and inflamed skin from the cold. Your summer skincare products will most likely not cut it here. Instead you’ll need to use heavier moisturizers and more gentle cleansers.
HOW TO HEAL INFLAMMATION AND HYPERSENSITIVITY FLARE UPS:
There are a number of steps you can take to combat your hypersensitivity and inflamed skin flair up.
STOP All harsh / drying products: The first thing you’ll want to do is quit using any exfoliators, acids, astringents (anything that shrinks or constricts your skin), and anything that dries your skin. These will exacerbate sensitivity and further dry out the skin. Instead, you’ll want to ONLY use gentle, hydrating, and scent free products. Do this until your skin’s lipid barrier has been repaired (this could take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks).
Recommended products: VIVANT Cleansing Milk and VIVANT Totaloe Calming + Hydrating Gel
Cool It Down: Cooling your skin will help with the inflammation. One of our favorite methods for reducing hypersensitivity and inflammation at home is to place a hydrating sheet mask in the fridge and then massage the cold mask into your skin with a hand roller. This will work the hydrating agents into your pores and gently gently drain any lymphatic fluid from the which may be causing puffiness or inflammation.
Similarly, you can use an ice roller to cool down the skin which will also reduce inflammation.
Aloe Vera: Another one of our favorite and most accessible ways to help with sensitivity for people who may be pressed for time or on the go is to keep aloe vera gel in the fridge or in the shower, and apply it to the skin as a quick hydrating and calming mask after cleansing. Aloe has been used all across history for healing purposes because it can really help calm and hydrate which will help revive the skin barrier.
Another great product to use for barrier repair is the VIVANT Recovery Ointment, which can be used anywhere including the face, lips, eyelids, nose or body as needed. Any moisturizer applied more frequently will help to repair the skin barrier as well.
Gua Sha: Gua sha, like jade rolling, is an effective method to promote holistic calming and drain lymphatic fluid while working a bit on the muscles fibers. Draining lymphatic fluid can help break up and release inflammation. Be sure to use a facial oil that doesn’t contain any perfumes, citrus, or essential oils.
PROFESSIONAL TREATMENTS
LED Therapy + Oxygen Treatment
LED Therapy has been shown to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, shrink pore size, reduce inflammation and increase circulation and oxygenation of the skin. Greater oxygenation leads to increased nutrients to areas of the skin responsible for cell growth.
Hydra-Infusion Facial
This service utilizes hydra-dermabrasion technology to gently exfoliate while also infusing the skin with serums. Skin is immediately plumped and hydrated after the service leaving the skin glowing. This is the perfect pick-me-up facial and transforms dull-lifeless skin.
Gua Sha Detox Facial
An advanced lymphatic drainage facial geared to relieve muscle tension, reduce swelling, strengthen collagen and promote a clear complexion. We begin by opening the lymphatic channels around the head and neck to allow better drainage of metabolic wastes.