You know that one neighbor who has a dog that continuously barked at you the first weeks you moved in? Then as they get used to seeing you in the neighborhood, they actually begin to relax and play with you. This situation can also be found in skincare. Skin purging is basically how your skin reacts to the introduction of new products on it. A sudden wave of pimples hit your skin and you get tempted to stop. This article will explain the concept of skin purging and how to identify it.
How long does it last and Why does it happen?
Skin purging occurs when the actives in your products loosen the dirt hiding under your skin cell, thereby increasing the speed at which cell turnover occurs. This presents itself in the clogging of the pores, which show up as pimples.
Typically, when your skin starts purging in reaction to a new product, it lasts up to 3-4 weeks.
The difference between purging and acne breakout.
While these two may look alike, their causes are always different. Breakouts can be caused by stress, diet,an allergy or even skin irritation. Purging on the other hand, happens when a new product with an active ingredient is introduced to your regimen. There are a few ways to differentiate between the two.
The first thing to do to determine if you’re purging or just breaking out is to check if there are active ingredients in your product (example retinol, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid).
Another thing to note is that if your skin is purging, spots may appear where they usually do, but will fade away faster than normal. After a few weeks, your skin will noticeably become better.
In the case of a breakout, they’ll take much longer to fade.
Signs your skin might be purging
Here are a couple of signs your skin might be purging.
- The breakouts do not leave any scars.
- All the breakouts started at once
- The breakouts fade in 3-4 weeks.
What to do when your skin is purging
It is important to note that this is a vulnerable time for your skin and as such, requires great care. Some ways you can care for your skin during these few weeks are;
•Keep your hands away from your face. This especially means you shouldn’t pick or pop your pimples.
•Avoid harsh exfoliants.
•Try incorporating one new product at a time. This gives your skin time to get used to them.
•Avoid excessive sun exposure. If you’re going to be outside, use sunscreen and stay protected.
•Ensure you wash your face every morning to remove dirt from the night before.
Conclusion
Skin purging is a pretty normal reaction to use of new products. The great news though, is that it is very temporary and stops as your skin gets used to the products. If you still experience breakouts even after several weeks of using your products, you can reach out to your esthetician for further assistance.