Many people seeking cosmetic procedures have skin that is not only mature, but damaged by the sun, acne and other factors. This can make it difficult to achieve the youthful appearance that they desire. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion are two of the most popular treatments for skin rejuvenation, and both are effective at removing dead or damaged cells from the outer layer of skin. The difference between chemical peels and microdermabrasion is that a chemical peel affects only the top layer of skin, while microdermabrasion involves physical removal of top layers with a fine brush or wand.
Read on to learn more about Is Chemical Peel Or Microdermabrasion Better, Chemical Peel Vs Laser Resurfacing: Which One Is Better? and Chemical Peel Vs Microdermabrasion
Is Chemical Peel Or Microdermabrasion Better
Many of our clients ask us “What’s the difference between microdermabrasion and chemical peels?” As two of our most common procedures, both are extremely popular choices when it comes to skin care treatments.
While there are some similarities between the two, there are a few key differences that people should be aware of when looking for the right treatment for their skin, including cost, recovery, and impact.
Let’s walk through these two types of treatments so you can figure out which option is right for you.
WHAT IS MICRODERMABRASION?
Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive skin care treatment that removes dead skin from the outer layer of your skin, working to improve fine lines, aging skin, and discoloration. Essentially it is a deep exfoliation through the use of a vacuum by a professional.
It is pain-free, requires no downtime post-treatment, and is completely safe.
Microdermabrasion treats the following conditions:
- Acne
- Hyperpigmentation
- Dry skin
- Fine lines
- Uneven pigmentation
- Clogged pores
- Rosacea
- Minor scars
- Skin texture problems
WHAT IS A CHEMICAL PEEL?
Like microdermabrasion, a chemical peel treats fine lines, wrinkles, breakouts, and other topical skin issues.
What differs between the two is how the outer layer of the skin is removed to find the new skin underneath. While microdermabrasion gently removes the epidermis by suction, a chemical peel uses a chemical solution to dissolve the skin off.
Chemical peels treat the following conditions:
- Acne
- Fine lines
- Crow’s feet
- Brown spots
- Sagging skin
- Wrinkles
- Blemishes
- Hyperpigmentation
- Melasma (patchy facial skin discoloration)
- Scars
A chemical peel works deeper than microdermabrasion, revealing newer skin underneath. Because of this, it does require a few days of peeling. Most dermatologists offer a few different levels of chemical peel in order to customize the process to each client’s needs.
We are now offering the brand new SkinCeuticals Smart TCA Peel. Ask us about this new service today!
MICRODERMABRASION OR CHEMICAL PEEL?
In short: it depends on what you’re wanting to get out of the treatment. If you want an affordable and fast option, microdermabrasion is typically a better choice. But if you want something that lasts longer, you may consider a chemical peel.
Here are a few pros and cons of each treatment for you to evaluate:
| MICRODERMABRASION | CHEMICAL PEEL | |
|---|---|---|
| PROS | Painless & affordableFaster healingGlowing complexionImproves acne, dryness, texture | Long-lasting results (1-2 months)Improves acne, scars, redness, wrinkles, pigmentationMultiple levels/typesMay reduce skin cancer risk |
| CONS | One-size-fits-allNot as targetedRequires multiple treatments | More expensiveMore painfulLonger healing time |
If you’re looking for specific treatment due to certain issues, we’ve compared the two treatments for you to review.
Microdermabrasion vs chemical peel for acne
If you have active acne, chemical peels are a better choice because microdermabrasion can irritate it or even cause more issues. Chemical peels use salicylic acid to reduce further breakouts by exfoliating the dead skin cells.
Microdermabrasion vs chemical peel for wrinkles
If you have light wrinkles, microdermabrasion or light chemical peels can help. For deeper wrinkles, a medium or deep chemical peel is the best option.
Microdermabrasion vs chemical peel for sun damage
For rough skin caused by sun damage, microdermabrasion or a light chemical peel will work. If you have severe damage or are at risk of melasma, medium or deep chemical peels are better suited.
As you can see, chemical peels will ultimately provide better, more targeted relief when it comes to specific issues. But for some people, it’s a less ideal option because of its higher cost and downtime, making microdermabrasion a better choice.
CAN YOU GET MICRODERMABRASION AND CHEMICAL PEEL TOGETHER?
Yes! In fact, they work extremely well together to thoroughly cleanse and improve your skin. While you can’t get them at the same time, you can use both to optimize your professional exfoliation treatments and target different skin issues in a way that won’t overly irritate your skin.
When you combine the two treatments, you can reduce the side effects of both and maximize your good-skin time without a lengthy recovery.
Chemical Peel Vs Microdermabrasion
| Chemical Peel | Microdermabrasion | |
| Purpose | Chemical peels are usually used to treat skin ageing signs like deeper wrinkles, pigmentation, age spots, scars, melasma scars etc. | Microdermabrasion gives your skin a chance to rejuvenate and get rid of discoloured skin tone, dark spots, age spots, scars, melasma, wrinkles and fine lines. |
| Process | 1. First, the dermatologist will clean your face and give you goggles to protect your eyes. 2. The dermatologist may give you topical anesthesia to numb the area. 3. Then they would apply the chemical formulation. 4. For deep peel procedure, dermatologists monitor the heart rate for safety reasons. 5. Your skin starts peeling off after 48-72 hours of the actual procedure. | 1. It is not mandatory to use anesthesia before the procedure. 2. A handpiece is used to propel abrasive crystals on your skin and remove the top layer. 3. After the procedure, the dermatologist will apply moisturizer on your skin. |
| Ingredients Used | Chemical peels are made of glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid etc. | Microdermabrasion’s crystals are made of sodium bicarbonate and aluminium oxide. |
| Duration of the procedure | Light or superficial chemical peels do not take much time. But medium and deep chemical peel procedure can take 30 to 90 minutes to finish. | Microdermabrasion on the face takes 35 to 45 minutes to finish and for the neck, it may take 20 minutes approximately. |
| Removal of imperfections | This can remove deeper imperfections. | This removes only the outermost layer of the skin. |
| Pain Involved | A chemical peel may cause a stinging sensation but a cooling compress would solve the issue. Deep peeling procedures may require pain medication. | It should not cause pain if the procedure is performed carefully. You may only have some mild side effects. |
| Healing Time | It takes 5 to 7 days time for your skin to heal from the chemical peeling procedure. | Microdermabrasion requires a very short healing time. Your skin may start feeling better on the same day as the procedure. |
| Cost | These are costly. It costs around $150 for light peels and may cost over $300 for deep peels. | Average cost for Microdermabrasion is $136. [3] |
| Benefits | Will remove your dead skin cells, fine lines and wrinkles caused by extreme sun exposure. | It removes age spots, uneven skin tone, blemishes, acne scars, melasma [4] etc. It is equally effective for whiteheads and blackheads. |
| Side Effects | Can cause a permanent change in your skin colour. You may also notice scarring after a chemical peeling session. Few people even get infections like herpes or cold sores [5]. | As side effects, you may notice redness, swollen skin, sun sensitivity, stinging sensation and in some cases burnt marks. |
Types Of Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion also has three types.
1. Diamond Tip Microdermabrasion:
It is a handpiece with a diamond tip to clean off the dead skin cells from your skin.
2. Hydradermabrasion:
This is a new process where a dermatologist uses a combination of crystal spray and dermal infusion.
3. Crystal Microdermabrasion:
It requires a handpiece to gently rub crystal spray on your skin to exfoliate it.
Types Of Chemical Peels
There are three types of chemical peels available.
1. Light or Superficial Peel:
Light chemical peel is used to treat lower-level skin discolouration. Dermatologists use mild acids for light chemical peels.
2. Medium Peel:
To treat ageing signs like dark spots, age spots, fine lines and wrinkles, medium peeling is done.
3. Deep Peel:
Deep peeling is required for more serious issues like deep scars, and darker age spots.
Chemical Peel Vs Laser Resurfacing: Which One Is Better?
Key Differences Between Chemical Peels & Laser Resurfacing
| Chemical Peels | Laser Resurfacing | |
| Pros | Chemical peels help fix fine lines around the mouth or crows feet. It can make the skin smooth. | Smoothens the skin and evens out skin tone. Stimulates collagen production that tightens the skin and gives a glow in the long run |
| Cons | Chemical peel is not suitable to fix deep wrinkles. It can make the skin very dry and itchy. | There can be permanent lightening or darkening of the skin. May produce redness in the skin which can worsen with time. |
| Maintenance | Do not scratch, itch, or try to peel off the skin with your hand after undergoing a skin peeling. This can create scars. Use sunscreen and a mild moisturizer to keep the skin comfortable. Speak to your dermatologist in case you have any problem | Include vitamin C serum, sunscreen, and retinoids into your daily skincare regime after undergoing laser resurfacing. Avoid scratching or itching your skin after undergoing a treatment. Consult your cosmetic surgeon to understand your daily care for maximum results. |
| Recovery Time | For a medium peel, recovery can take 7-14 days. After a deep peel, you can expect to have new skin within 2 weeks, but redness can last for a couple of months. | Laser resurfacing can take between 1-3 weeks to heal, depending on the area of treatment and technique used. |
| Removal of imperfections | This can remove deeper imperfections. | This removes only the outermost layer of the skin. |
| Cost | Chemical peel is cheaper than laser resurfacing. While a basic peel can cost $100, it can go upto $4000 for a full peel. | Laser resurfacing is costlier than chemical peel. The cost depends on the type of laser technique you choose. While an ablative laser can cost $2000, non ablative treatments are cheaper, and can cost you around $1000. |
Which Is Better: Chemical Peel Or Laser Resurfacing For My Skin Type?
Although chemical peel or laser resurfacing have the same end goal, it is important to decide which one is right for you. While making your decision, talk to your doctor about your expectations, how fast you want the result, and of course, your budget. Know that chemical peels work best for fixing superficial skin irregularities. On the other hand, laser resurfacing works well for collagen remodeling.
Talking about recovery time and downtime, some chemical peels that are done in-clinic have hardly any downtime. You may experience mild flaking and dryness, and you’re ready to get back to everyday life. For laser resurfacing, the downtime depends on the nature of the laser you choose. For example, ablative laser resurfacing can take a couple of months to recover completely.
Finally, you need to understand your skin type and tone to decide which treatment would work best for you. It is a hard decision, so always speak to your dermatologist to make an informed decision. For example, if you have a darker skin tone, not all chemical peel and laser resurfacing techniques will work for you. For hyperpigmentation, a chemical peel can work wonder. On the other hand, for indented scars, laser skin treatments are more suitable. Depending on your condition, your dermatologist may also suggest a combination of chemical peel and laser resurfacing technique to get the best result.