Night one of skin cycling is dedicated to exfoliating your skin and clearing your pores. Cleanse your face with a gentle wash before patting your skin dry and applying a chemical exfoliant. Many dermatologists recommend using a leave-on chemical exfoliant over a physical exfoliant such as a face scrub due to its harsh nature. Look for serums that include alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids, and then lock your skincare in place with a hydrating moisturizer. Remember, exfoliants should never cause pain or excessive inflammation! If you begin experiencing any pain or burning sensations, wash your exfoliant off immediately and consult with a skincare specialist about which ingredients in your skincare routine may be causing a reaction.

Night two of the skin cycling process is dedicated to retinoids! Not only do retinoids accelerate skin cell turnover, but the vitamin-A-based skincare product can help treat acne, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and reduce hyperpigmentation and scarring. Because retinoids are one of the most potent skincare ingredients in your routine, our experts at the Z Hair Academy cosmetology school in Lee’s Summit recommend cleansing your face and drying it completely before applying your retinoid. Leaving your face even a little bit damp will increase the penetration of the retinoid and could potentially lead to irritation. All you need is a pea-sized amount of retinoid for your entire face! If you are prone to sensitive skin, consider applying a layer of moisturizer to the dryer, more sensitive areas of your face near the corners of the mouth, underneath the nose, and around the eyes. Layer your retinoid on top of the moisturizer base and finish it up with an additional layer of moisturizer to lock it all in place. This will create a protective skin barrier and help build up your tolerance for future use!

Take it easy with a couple of recovery nights! Because your skin has been hard at work, you can simply use a gentle cleanser and apply your preferred moisturizer as long as none of the products you apply contain active ingredients such as the ones mentioned above. Our experts at the Z Hair Academy cosmetology school in Lee’s Summit recommend searching for fragrance-free products that contain skin-repairing ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid. The main focus of your recovery nights is to allow your skin a chance to repair the skin barrier and bounce back, so make sure you don’t skip nights three and four in hopes of expediting the process for quicker results!

If you would like to embark on a career in cosmetology, we encourage you to learn more about the Z Hair Academy cosmetology school in Lee’s Summit or one of our three other locations. Start your education right away on a schedule that works for you. Get started today by speaking with a member of our Admissions team!