Microdermabrasion vs. Chemical Peel: Which is Right for You?

Do you want softer and healthier-looking skin? Microdermabrasion and chemical peels are two popular non-surgical treatments that offer our clients smoother, more youthful-looking skin. But while both deliver skin rejuvenation, they’re designed to handle different skin problems and types.

Understanding The Treatments

Microdermabrasion is a physical exfoliation technique that uses a wand embedded with natural diamond chips to gently remove and vacuum away dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin. This process reveals the smoother, healthy skin below and encourages new cell growth.

Chemical peels are non-surgical treatments that use an acidic peeling agent to exfoliate and remove the outer layer of the skin. The strength of the peel determines the depth of penetration.

Comparing Microdermabrasion versus Chemical Peels

Microdermabrasion mainly removes the topmost layer of skin, the epidermis. However, chemical peels provide varying treatment depths, from only the top layer (superficial peel) to deeper layers (medium and deep peels), based on the strength of the peeling agent.

Skin Condition Considerations

Microdermabrasion is most effective in treating mild skin conditions such as fine lines, wrinkles, irregular skin tone, and widened pores. Chemical peels are suited for many skin concerns, including mild and more problematic skin challenges like acne scarring, sun damage, and uneven skin pigmentation. Stronger peels are typically recommended for more significant problems and after a professional consultation.

Downtime and Recovery

With almost no recovery time required, microdermabrasion treatments may produce red or irritated skin that quickly diminishes. Chemical peel recovery times vary depending on the strength of the peel:

• Superficial peels have little to no downtime.
• Medium-strength peels may cause peeling and flaking for a few days.
• Deeper peels result in more significant peeling and scabs for up to several weeks.

Comparing Costs

Chemical peels are typically more expensive than microdermabrasion treatments. The cost of chemical peels depends primarily on their strength and the desired result.

Here To Help You Choose

Choosing between microdermabrasion or a chemical peel treatment depends on your skin, budget, and time. At AesthetiSpa Cosmetic Skin & Laser Center, we’re ready to help you choose! Stop by our Mount Pleasant, SC, location or call 843-849-9925. You can schedule a consultation through our online form here. We look forward to helping you revitalize your skin!