We all love a good montage. There’s just something about condensing a weeks or months-long series of events into a 30-second clip. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), life’s not made up of montages… We have to stay the course, one day at a time.
Our skin works in the same way. Day in and day out, our cells are cycling through their lifespan, serving specific functions over a 30-day period—more or less. It’s important to know a little about the skin cycle because it impacts how we respond to changes in our skincare and what we might want to incorporate more of as external factors change.
Why Consistency Is Always the Answer
Here at Miracle 10 headquarters, we’re always vouching for consistency. Cue montage of every time we’ve mentioned it in a post. The reason consistency matters is, in part, due to the skin cycle. Let’s quickly break it down:
Basal Cell Division: The first stage of the skin cycle involves the division of fresh skin cells. Starting off simple and full of promise, basal cells multiply quickly at the very base layer of the skin.
Migration: Once they’re ready to leave the nest, basal cells go off to new heights, reaching closer to the surface of the skin.
Differentiation: What were once basal cells specialize into corneocytes (or keratinocytes), fulfilling their function on the skin barrier.
Desquamation: As they reach the end of their life span, the corneocytes slowly shed, leaving room for new cells in their absence.
The duration of the skin cycle varies with age. It begins at 2-3 weeks during adolescence and increases by ~2 weeks with each decade of life. By the later years of life, a skin cycle can last up to 3 months.
Consistency becomes relevant here, as it takes a full skin cycle to notice the results of new skincare products and treatments. That means at least a month of sticking to your skincare to yield the benefits—which becomes easier when you have a simple routine consisting of a good cleanser, moisturizer, exfoliant, and SPF.
Pick up the Pace
As the skin cycle takes longer to run its course, folks begin to notice the signs of aging skin: fine lines and wrinkles, discolouration in the form of age spots, and sagging, for example. This is why products that promote cell turnover (which is the speed at which cells are replaced) are recommended for the aforementioned skin concerns.
Reinforcements
While a great skincare routine creates the foundation for great skin, periodic treatments will yield even better results. Masks, facials, and other non-surgical cosmetic procedures are a glow getter’s best friend.
Most of our facials are spaced at least a month apart to allow for the passage of a complete skin cycle, but results often last longer. If you want a more frequent pick-me-up, a monthly mask might be your preferred chaser. Here are our recommendations to get you started:
CO2Lift Pro Carboxy Gel Mask: This treatment uses a carbon dioxide–infused gel to boost oxygen delivery in the skin, improving hydration, texture, and elasticity. It’s known for gentle rejuvenation, so it can be used on a more regular basis. Check out our COO applying CO2Lift to her skin after a Picoway Resolve treatment.
Miracle 10 Facial Peel Treatment: This peel combines exfoliating acids and nourishing ingredients to smooth texture, brighten tone, and stimulate cell turnover. It supports the progression of your skin cycle while delivering a noticeable glow for months. Take a look at our beautiful client who transformed her skin over 6 months with a treatment plan of facial peel treatments and skincare.
Microneedling: This long-lasting treatment creates controlled micro-injuries in the skin to trigger collagen and elastin production, helping reduce scarring, fine lines, and uneven texture. Results last up to a year, but you can book your follow-up sooner than that based on your skin needs. One of our favourites is the Microneedling Facial with DP4 Technology.
Our bodies are capable of incredible things, and the more we learn about our natural processes, the more we can support their functions. With some thoughtful skincare planning incorporating consistency, appropriate pacing, and reinforcements, we can achieve our biggest skin goals, one day at a time.