Wednesday, February 25, 2009

The Beauty of Enzymes

Enzymes are an incredibly complex group of molecules! They are proteins that speed up chemical reactions in cells. Skin cells, like other cells in the body, contain lots of enzymes that participate in the chemical reactions that occur there every day, but when we talk about enzymes in skincare, we are referring to keratolytic enzymes that speed up the normal process of exfoliation by digesting the keratin that makes up the dead uppper layer of the epidermis.

Enzymes that function in this manner can be harvested from various fruits, including pineapple, papaya, and citrus, as well as squashes and gourds (particularly pumpkin), and even stronger enzymes are bovine-derived.

Despite their substantial skin-digesting powers, keratolytic enzymes are actually very sensitive to light and heat, and in addition to requiring careful storage, they also usually need to be mixed and activated by the skincare professional just prior to use.

Enzyme treatments can be an excellent choice for those bothered by mild forms of dermatitis, and for anyone seeking a fresher smoother skin surface without risk or downtime. When clients are heading out on vacation, I often recommend an enzyme treatment in lieu of more aggressive forms of exfoliation, so that they can get the glow of fresh skin and the benefit of increased corrective serum penetration without risking additional UV exposure to deeper layers of skin.

Schedule a facial at the Skin Studio for treatments that incorporate the benefits of keratolytic enzymes for the beauty of your skin!

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