Utah Master Esthetician Practice Exam

What is the term for the process of dead skin cells being shed?

1. Regeneration

2. Desquamation

3. Exfoliation

4. Keratinization

The correct answer is: Desquamation

Desquamation refers to the natural process by which dead skin cells are shed from the outer layer of the skin. This process is essential for maintaining healthy skin, as it helps to renew the skin surface and allows newer skin cells to emerge. The skin constantly undergoes this cycle where older cells are replaced with newer ones, helping to prevent the buildup of dead skin that can lead to dullness and clogged pores. While exfoliation is often used interchangeably with desquamation, it specifically refers to the active process of removing dead skin cells using various methods such as scrubs, peels, or treatments, rather than the natural shedding process itself. Regeneration typically describes the skin's overall ability to heal and return to a normal state after injury, while keratinization is the process by which skin cells produce keratin, contributing to the tough outer layer of skin, but is not directly about the shedding of those dead cells.