The human skin produces about one million skin cells every 40 minutes, which equates to over 36 million skin cells per day. As our skin cells renew from the deeper layer of the epidermis, the more surface cells harden and lose moisture. Eventually these cells detach from skin and are replaced by younger cells moving up from deeper layers. Desquamation (detaching) also eliminates damaged and contaminated cells that carry pollutants and micro-organisms from the environment. These superficial skin cells don’t always effectively fall from skin and may cause clogging and congestion while leaving and the skin’s surface dry and dull looking. As we age, desquamation and cell turnover slow down, from approximately 20 days in younger and middle-aged adults up to over 30 days in older adults; making professional peeling and exfoliation critical to removing the accumulation of cells that give a dry, dull, hyperpigmented appearance to the skin. Chemical peels are one of the most effective ways to address these changes. But they’re not a one-size-fits-all treatment: for optimal results, a peel should be strong enough to accelerate cell turnover but not so powerful as to induce severe skin inflammation. Through professional peels, these dulling skin cells effectively removed, and newer cells are revealed for fresher, healthier appearance.