Exfoliation
Exfoliation (medicine)
Exfoliation (pronounced: eks-foh-lee-ey-shuhn) is a process in dermatology where the outermost layers of the skin, often dead or dry skin cells, are removed to reveal healthier, newer skin underneath.
Etymology
The term "exfoliation" comes from the Latin exfoliare, meaning "to strip off leaves". In a medical context, it refers to the shedding or peeling of the skin.
Process
Exfoliation can occur naturally, such as when skin peels after a sunburn, or it can be induced mechanically or chemically. Mechanical exfoliation involves physically scrubbing the skin with an abrasive, while chemical exfoliation uses acids or enzymes to loosen the bonds between skin cells.
Related Terms
- Dermatology: The branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases.
- Epidermis: The outermost layer of the skin, which is often the target of exfoliation.
- Keratinocytes: The primary type of cell found in the epidermis, which produce keratin, a protein that helps form the protective layer of the skin.
- Desquamation: The natural process of cell turnover in the skin, often referred to as natural exfoliation.
- Microdermabrasion: A type of mechanical exfoliation that uses tiny crystals to remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells.
- Chemical peel: A type of chemical exfoliation that uses a solution to improve and smooth the texture of the skin.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Exfoliation
- Wikipedia's article - Exfoliation
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