Which Is Better: Chemical Peel or Microdermabrasion?

S kincare treatment options abound for the range of skin beauty and health issues these procedures have the potential to solve. The way our skin looks holds a great toll on how we look at ourselves and our level of confidence. When acne leaves blemishes or the pesky wrinkles make their inevitable appearance with time, only professional treatments can grant the flawless skin we yearn for.

For the distinction made between the before and after, two of the most sought-after exfoliation techniques are chemical peels and microdermabrasion. What adds to their popularity is that both treatments can be performed at home, so you’re not fully reliant on the assistance of a dermatologist or cosmetologist. You can only do light and medium chemical peels using chemical solutions like salicylic or glycolic acid (deep peels where phenol and trichloroacetic acid are utilized can only be done by professionals and you shouldn’t do them more than once every year). Conversely, with a reliable top-tier microdermabrasion machine you can conduct the exfoliation procedure at home as needed routinely to save cash and time since it’s not as invasive or potentially damaging to the skin, and there aren’t any dangerous chemical substances involved in the process.

There are quite a few similarities between these procedures, so you might wonder which is better suited to solve your skin beauty and health issues. Continue with us to learn about each procedure, the key dissimilarities between these exfoliation treatments, and when each is more suitable. By choosing the appropriate treatment, you will obtain a youthful glow and vibrant skin, wowing friends, family, and coworkers with your new and enhanced skin complexion.

Beautician Applying Chemical Peel with Brush

What You Need to Know About Chemical Peels

Q: How do chemical peels work?

Chemoexfoliation is a process that commands the application of a potent chemical solution formulated to dissolve and peel off the highest layers of the skin in order to resurface and smoothen it out. The caustic agents in the solution coagulate the epidermal and dermal layer protein, inducing inflammation and encouraging the generation of new elastin and collagen.

Pursuant to statistics provided by the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery National Databank, there were 78,971 chemical peels performed in 2019, amounting to a decrease of 39.1% compared to 2018 when this nonsurgical procedure was performed 129,596. This obviously only factors in the numbers amassed by professionals. In reality, light and medium peels have become more prevalent as at-home skincare techniques since the range of chemical solutions employed in these treatments has become larger and more accessible.

Q: What types of chemical peels are there?

There are three categories of chemoexfoliation – superficial, medium, and deep. As aforementioned, light and medium peels can be performed at home, while deep chemical peels are not suggested unless a specialist performs them. Deep peeling is substantially more potent when handling profound scars, deep wrinkles, and darker age spots, but the ingredients are nothing to toy around with.

As seen in this case where a man suffered a chemical burn from wrongly using 50% trichloroacetic acid, deep peeling can have severely negative outcomes when performed by non-professionals. Avoid at all costs cosmetics that contain trichloroacetic acid, it’s a potent chemical that does more harm than good when handled erroneously. It is only appropriate for professional handling in deep peels that are executed in a controlled environment.

Q: What do chemical peels treat?

• Age spots;
• Acne;
• Freckles;
• Melasma;
• Dull complexion;
• Skin discoloration;
• Fine lines;
• Sun-damaged skin;
• Rough-feeling skin.

Q: What potential adverse reactions might occur?

After analyzing adverse dermatological reactions to skin peelers, the FDA concluded that sensitivity to skin reddening produced by UV increased by 18% in individuals who applied cosmetics containing Alpha Hydroxy Acids. This surges the chance of side effects if you perform chemical peels at home with chemical solutions that you pick without in-depth knowledge regarding the products you are utilizing. So, take your time and do proper research if you want to be your own “cosmetic professional” and do peels because the wrong cosmetic product can lead to unwanted repercussions quite easily. Other side effects and risks following this beauty procedure include swelling, scabbing, blemishes, redness, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and infections (cold sores).

Microdermabrasion for Skin Rejuvenation

What You Need to Know About Microdermabrasion

Q: How does microdermabrasion work?

This is a minimally invasive cosmetic technique where the utmost layer of the skin is removed so that the process of rejuvenation can commence. This non-surgical operation propels adhesive crystals on the skin to make the internal layer of the epidermis rearrange. Just like chemical peels and microneedling, it encourages collagen creation.

The mild exfoliation technique takes approximately 30-40 minutes when performed for the face, and an estimated 20 minutes for the neck. Because of its gentle, non-invasive nature, microdermabrasion is commonly performed at home since personal practice saves money. Just buy the right microdermabrasion device and follow proper aftercare techniques to speed up the restorative process. What you should never skip following the procedure is moisturizing. Do it routinely for the first few days to nourish and heal your skin.

Q: What types of microdermabrasion are there?

There are two categories of microdermabrasion – crystal and diamond. The welfares are akin but the method differs slightly. With crystal microdermabrasion, super-fine crystals go across a hose and are sprinkled over the skin via the rod. The same rod vacuums desquamated skin fragments and crystals in a separate receptacle that is emptied once the procedure is through. Aluminum oxide crystals are most frequently utilized.

With diamond microdermabrasion, a rod that facets a diamond-covered tip is passed over the skin, scraping it and exfoliating specks that are then swept by the rod. High-end diamond-tip microdermabrasion machines even include a facial steamer function to open up the pores before suction and maximize treatment outcomes. This novel technique is the preferred option because it leaves no grainy crystal residues behind. It’s also safer since there are no fine particles that might enter your eyes and produce irritations.

Q: What does microdermabrasion treat?

• Acne;
• Fine lines;
• Wrinkles;
• Hyperpigmentation;
• Scarring;
• Rosacea;
• Skin texture problems;
• Uneven skin complexion;
• Blocked pores;
• Dry skin.

Q: What potential adverse reactions might occur?

While microdermabrasion benefits abound and this is the less dangerous of the two exfoliation processes we discuss here, there are some minor side effects that might occur following the treatment. For the first few days after treatment, the skin can get a bit flaky if you forget to moisturize. Redness and slight bruising are occasionally encountered too because of the aspiration effect of the rod. Another common detrimental reaction is sun sensitivity, which is why you must always apply sunscreen when you go outside.

Chemical Peel vs. Microdermabrasion – Side-by-Side Comparison

Do Chemical Peel and Microdermabrasion Procedures Work Together?

As long as you do microdermabrasion first and you don’t have delicate skin, you can do both procedures to fully cleanse the skin and boost its appearance. This combo optimizes the professional exfoliation treatments and handles solving more issues that you suffer from without irritating the skin too much. Research indicates that microdermabrasion works best when combined with light chemicals peels. What the less intrusive microdermabrasion technique does is prepare the skin for the subsequent peel so that it aids the chemicals to pierce the skin more profoundly and uniformly. The before and after effects are guaranteed to be more significant if you combine both skincare procedures and start with microdermabrasion.

Conclusion

While chemical peels are better for treating more severe dermatological issues, only deep peels can make a significant difference. And, as we previously explained, a deep chemical peel should only be conducted once per year to avoid side effects and dermal destruction. Overall, microdermabrasion and light and medium chemical peels have more or less the same effects on skin health improvement and beauty-boosting.

For at-home beauty treatments, we definitely advise that you get a diamond-tip microdermabrasion device since the procedure is extremely unlikely to cause any skin damage or serious adverse reaction. Following this skincare routine, if you got your hands on the right chemical solution, you can perform a superficial chemical peel to maximize exfoliation results. However, pay close attention to the solution you buy and use – it’s a fine line between amping skin beauty and ending up with permanent scars or uneven pigmentation. Ideally, leave chemical peels to the pros and only resort to microdermabrasion at home for your skincare routine to be on the safe side.