Some of us have a tendency to over-exfoliate (“If once a week is great, four times a week must be even better!”), and others of us tend to under-exfoliate (“What does ‘exfoliate’ mean?”). Whether you’re the former, the latter or somewhere in between, there’s no need to feel confused about how often you should be scrubbing up.
Run through the following checklist for any given body area to determine if the time is right for a rub down.
1. The Tape Test: This test is for your face and it’s very simple. Press a piece of scotch tape to your forehead. Remove it and check its surface—if it’s covered with flakes, it’s definitely time to exfoliate! 
2. The Touch Test: This approach works for any patch of skin on your body. If an area feels dry and/or rough, it might be time to exfoliate. Important: if this same patch of skin is also irritated, red or itchy, that is a sure sign not to exfoliate.
3. The Look Test: This approach also works on any part of the body and involves using your best judgment. Any patch of skin that looks dull, ruddy, flaky or generally lackluster could stand to benefit from a scrub down.
Knowing when not to exfoliate is just as important as knowing when to exfoliate. In an interview with Cosmopolitan magazine, Dennis Gross, M.D. and cosmetic dermatologist, said:
"The [tell-tale] signals that you're using your exfoliator too much include: excessive dryness, irritation, redness, and sensitivity. If you see any of these signs occurring on your complexion, it's important to stop using the product immediately."
If you’re too time-strapped or apathetic to conduct any of the self-tests, a good rule of thumb is to exfoliate your face and/or body once to twice per week.
Make it easy on yourself by letting the experts at Burke Williams Spa exfoliate your skin with luxurious, professional techniques. Salts, sugars, healing muds and more are just the beginning of our Signature Treatments. Consider a membership today to save money while you indulge!
