Body scrubs removing dead skin - is this unhealthy?

May 5, 2023 8:42 AM

I see full body scrubs (like the Korean spa scrub in this Buzzfeed video) that slough off loads of dead skin. But I thought that the outer layer of skin, including the old/dead skin cells in the process of shedding naturally, provided protection for the lower layers of skin and for the body. Do full body scrubs like this leave you vulnerable for a while afterwards? Are they actually kind of unhealthy for you?

I keep thinking of this old Metafilter comment, where people think colonic irrigation is healthy because it visibly removes stuff that looks gross, but the process is actually very unhealthy because that gross-looking stuff is an important layer and barrier.

posted by cadge to Health & Fitness (9 answers total)

This is anecdotal - I only see this much dead skin slouched off when I haven't been good about exfoliating at home or its by first time back to the spa in awhile. When I am going regularly, or having good exfoliating habits at home, this is actually very minimal.

Just had my annual exam with my dermatologist and they were very pleased with the health and texture of my skin.
posted by coldbabyshrimp at 8:53 AM on May 5, 2023 [1 favorite]

I figure it's already dead, you're just aiding in its removal. If anything it can trap oils/bacteria against your 'good' skin and cause outbreaks, etc. Dead skin is basically dust/dirt and you don't want to keep that on your furniture to protect it right? What's underneath is already well protected if you moisturize after you exfoliate to create that moisture barrier.

/None of this is scientific, just my general conjecture.
posted by greta simone at 9:24 AM on May 5, 2023

Really the best thing you can do for your skin is stay out of the sun or failing that, use a high SPF sunscreen. Exfoliation is popular at spas because look at all this junk coming off your skin that's worth $100 to remove it yeah, come back in a month to do it again but it wasn't doing any harm where it was. I wouldn't say it's unhealthy to remove it, but I would say it's not necessary.
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:39 AM on May 5, 2023 [3 favorites]

Gentle exfoliation stimulates the skin, promotes some good blood flow, and gets rid of dead skin cells. Spas like to make exaggerated claims to sell their services. I'd avoid anything extreme. Your body is mostly good at taking care of itself if you let it. If you take that as a given, it helps you assess products and services.
posted by theora55 at 9:46 AM on May 5, 2023 [5 favorites]

Some sensible advice from the American Academy of Dermatology.

I’m Team Gentle Chemical Exfoliation over here, with ample SPF use.
posted by sk932 at 10:32 AM on May 5, 2023 [2 favorites]

Purely anecdotal here: I use a gentle exfoliating cream every several days on my face and it does wonders. I tried using it on my neck and my skin was on fire. Your mileage may vary.
posted by tafetta, darling! at 11:01 AM on May 5, 2023

I'm a doctor

Skin is naturally self-exfoliating.

Don't believe any person, product, or process claiming you'll benefit from removing more dead skin cells than the skin naturally removes on its own.
posted by BadgerDoctor at 11:27 AM on May 5, 2023 [15 favorites]

Another personal anecdote: I am an exfoliator.

I use lactic acid daily on my face;
Use a salux cloth all over my non-face body in the shower;
Gently pumice my feet (nearly) every shower;
Use Amlactin on my legs after I shave;
Spray glycolic acid on my armpits and heels.

I also:
Use hyaluronic acid moisturizer on my face 2x a day;
Lotion myself after showers and my on my hands every time I wash them;
Vaseline my lips throughout the day;
Use cuticle oil for my nails.

(And I go to the dermatologist and wear sunscreen etc etc etc.)

My skin is nice. I get compliments on my skin all the time, it's probably my favorite part of my body, and it's healthy.

Used to be my skin sucked, was dry and painful, scaly, zitty, just really unpleasant. I have always been a lotioner. The #1 routine change that made me enjoy my skin? Exfoliating. Every body is different but exfoliating is unquestionably beneficial for me personally.
posted by phunniemee at 11:32 AM on May 5, 2023 [20 favorites]

Don't believe any person, product, or process claiming you'll benefit from removing more dead skin cells than the skin naturally removes on its own.

I think that's not the question, though. The question asked was whether it's harmful or dangerous. And there certainly can be benefits: whether or not the more extreme claims of total rejuvenation or whatever hold up, there are what a lot of people consider clearly observable and enjoyable effects, like the way skin feels softer.

Most dermatologist-recommended treatments for keratosis pilaris amount to exfoliation, so it doesn't seem that moderate exfoliation is considered harmful in and of itself (though moderate means different things for different types of skin). That said, every exfoliant product I've ever seen has said to stay out of the sun afterwards.
posted by trig at 11:40 AM on May 5, 2023 [1 favorite]