Does the Metrin Skincare System Cause Purging?
We understand it can be a frustrating experiencing when you have an adverse reaction like purging, as previoulsy discussed, after starting a brand new skin care routine like ours. Sometimes, it’s perfectly normal and necessary for your skin to adjust or acclimate and a sign everything’s working properly, but it could also a sign of something else.
Let’s clear up any misconceptions around purging, other types of reactions, or any “adjustment period” involving sudden breakouts or irritation your skin may be going through, whether it’s normal, and what to do next.
Maintaining and enhancing your skin’s natural renewal process is very important and introducing any new skin care product will, of course, require a certain amount of acclimation depending on your skin’s history or possible sensitivities.
Purging involves skin issues or breakouts as a result of active ingredients and exfoliants accelerating the skin’s normal functions. Basically, it speeds up any existing issues all at once. The process of purging is the skin’s response to stimuli.
What Causes Purging?
Exfoliation is great and necessary to clear dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. However, sensitive skin can react to a sudden burst of (over)-exfoliation and unclog your pores all at once. Your skin might not be use to daily exfoliation and need a transition to the care you’re giving it.
For example, the cleansing and exfoliation process contained in the Step 2: Lathering Cleanser of the Metrin Skincare System may cause purging if your skin is not accustomed to regular exfoliation. Don’t worry, your skin should acclimate. You may want to ease your way into the process by reducing Step 2 slightly (try only at night) while monitoring your progress.
The process of exfoliation can sometimes be initially too rough for your skin type. Don’t rub too hard and fully lather up. We always recommend gentle care and make sure to wash away your skin with a clean, damp towel and that there’s nothing left on the surface of your skin.
It’s important your skin acclimates to any new skin care products and exfoliation is a part of that. Any product that physically or chemically exfoliates your could lead to purging when first used.
Is Purging Your Skin Adjusting?
Purging is only the acceleration or temporary worsening of a current skin issue. During purging, your skin is not so much adjusting as it’s accelerating and experiencing whatever conditions you were already going through but only faster. It’s not actually causing new blemishes or breakouts.
Remember, your skin’s renewal cycle is typically around a 4 to 6 weeks and the full effects of any new skin care regimen can take up to a few months to totally get into gear, but you should notice steady improvement after a month, so monitor your progress, and make adjustments accordingly. If you are still experiencing the same side effects, breakouts, or clogged pores after 6 to 8 weeks, something’s not working.
No skin care products should make your skin look or feel worse on its own, nor is the idea that “things have to get worse before they get better” actually true. However, some ingredients can temporarily interfere with your skin’s natural balance before re-adjusting and working out fine after transitioning.
Be careful and monitor for any signs of purging, breakouts, irritation, or any other adverse skin reactions after starting a new regimen. It’s important to determine whether your skin is simply transitioning or any response is another concern that needs to be addressed.
What to Do About Purging
If you think you are experiencing purging, don’t panic. Purging is normal and the same ingredients that may cause purging should also help clear it up as the cleansing and exfoliation products should prevent additional blemishes in the future. This period of stimulation is the cell turnover process being accelerated.
Your skin should consistently improve over time. METRIN’s Skin Care System contains active ingredients such as Alpha Hydroxy Acids (like lactic or glycolic acid), salicylic acid, and retinal, so there’s a good chance any breakouts are a result of purging thanks to skin turnover. In short, these key ingredients are acting as they are supposed to in order to clear your skin.
On your skin’s way to finding its proper balance, there might be some adjustment needed. There’s a difference between proper stimulation needed to bring about the desired improvement of your skin and overstimulation that needs to be managed in order to make sure your skin can reach its natural balance.
Breakouts vs. Purging
The distinction between breakouts, purging, and other reactions is an important one. Make sure to know and understand what’s happening to your skin if it’s not purging.
If you experience breakouts in new areas and it’s not going away, this is more likely a reaction to an ingredient and not the result of an active ingredient since purging is only a result of an existing issue. After purging, your skin should progressively get better as opposed to another reaction.
Track your progress and make sure any undesirable responses are limited to your initial transition to your new skin care. If you continue to experience problems after a month or so, you will have figure out what’s wrong by ceasing use of any new products and consulting a professional.
Allergies and Dermatitis
If you experience an immediate reaction to one of our products, it’s likely one of three types of reactions: either purging, an allergic reaction, or contact dermatitis. There are two types of skin inflammation known as contact dermatitis: irritant contact dermatitis (exposure to irritants) and allergic contact dermatitis (exposure to allergens).
An allergic reaction involves the immune system and common symptoms include redness, itching, swelling, or hives. When the skin’s normal functions are compromised due to an allergy, it can create an imbalance where acne, pimples, and blemishes form on the skin. An allergic response could be a result of improper dosage or the way a particular ingredient is formulated within the product.
Dermatitis caused by an irritant can make skin turn red and rough and may look like a burn or cause small cuts (fissures) on the hands.
As a general rule, any burning sensation usually means irritation and itching suggests an allergic reaction. Removal and avoidance of the substance causing the reaction will usually cease any symptoms.
Avoiding Purging
The most effective way to control or limit the severity of any purging is to introduce new skin care products slowly and deliberately while monitoring their effects. Using small amounts and/or lower concentrations and frequency at the start of a new skin care regimen can give your skin more time to acclimate.
Some adjustment including the temporary acceleration of current skin issues you’re already experiencing may occur. What’s happening to your skin can be a confusing experience. Understanding how the Skincare System works, its ingredients, and your own skin is important to your overall care.
“Within 3 weeks my redness was gone, it took about 3 months for all the dry and oily to start disappearing; and within 6 month the liver spots were almost gone – they are totally gone now. My skin is radiant!” – Jerry Richardson, Metrin User for 30 years
Share your experiences about purging and other skin care concerns with us. Frustrated by your skin woes? Find out How Metrin Skincare can help.
