Microdermabrasion vs. Chemical Peel
The difference lies with the expected outcome…

Dr A Reddy

Much is being said and written about in the media today about both the evolution of chemical peels and the rise to stardom of microdermabrasion. Both treatments have specific indications but where most confusion between the two is made is when it comes to skin rejuvenation and skin resurfacing.

What I want to do here is provide you with some understanding as to what the correct indication is for each procedure to help you decide which is possibly best to achieve the aesthetic results you are looking for.

In a nutshell

Microdermabrasion is a mechanical removal of dead surface skin cells to give your skin a youthful glow without significant downtime. Chemical peels on the other hand also remove the surface layers of the skin, but do some more deeply to influence specific skin conditions such as pigmentation or wrinkles.

Microdermabrasion

This skin rejuvenation technique is best used for people with rough skin or for people wanting to return their skins youthful glow. The process is simple: we blast the surface skin with micro-particles to remove dead skin cells to have them replaced with new young skin from beneath.

Chemical Peels

This is a skin rejuvenation that has stood the test of time. The reason being: it works wonders on any number of skin conditions. As a deep resurfacing skin rejuvenation treatment the principle idea is to not just remove the upper most layers of skin, but also deeper layers to make visible unblemished skin.

Pro’s

A serious pro in favour of microdermabrasion is that it is safe and effective on all skin types and there is little chance of adverse reactions. Microdermabrasion is effective on improving rough skin texture, mild scarring, uneven pigmentation and can also be used to treat blackheads, acne, mild stretch marks and fine wrinkles.

Chemical peels pro’s include an ability to tailor the peel for specific skin types and indications. Today you can mix and match peels and concentrations for optimal results.
This means that we can treat wrinkles, pigmentation, scars and skin tone simply by applying the correct chemical peel to your skin. A chemical peels can do everything microdermabrasion does but with wrinkles and more severe indications included.

Of course this does make the decision sound easy when thinking of whether to choose a peel or microdermabrasion, but read on to find out the cons.

Cons

A significant con for chemical peeling is downtime. Of course there are mild chemical peels that require no downtime at all, but for more severe treatments and indications, the downtime can be significant. Chemical peels can also be mildly painful, although this should not be a deciding factor when choosing between a chemical peel vs. microdermabrasion.

There are no real cons for when undergoing a microdermabrasion treatment other than the limitation the treatment offers in terms of aesthetic results. That said, with the correct aesthetic indication and expected outcome, there is no substitute for a microdermabrasion treatment.

Ideal candidate

The ideal candidate for microdermabrasion is a person with minimal visible effects of skin ageing simply wanting to regain a lost glow of youth. Any person who simply wants a fresh rejuvenated skin, this is the treatment for them. The wrinkle benefits from the treatment should be an added bonus to the rosy skin results.

There is more to discuss with regard the ideal chemical peel candidate, as different skin indications will require different candidates. In general the ideal chemical peel candidate will have specific indications that they need treated and they will be prepared for the downtime or risks associated with that specific indicated chemical peel.

Results

Results for microdermabrasion are simple. You get what you see and if you match the ideal candidate profile the satisfaction results are extremely high. When you are finished your treatment you skin will be glowing, young and fresh. You will still look like you and there will be no real altering your features, wrinkles or age spots – you will simply be you but more alive.

Chemical peels offer various results, but if the indication is correct and the doctor you work with is experienced enough to provide you your aesthetic solution, the satisfaction rates are similarly high.

Results always depend on patient honesty combined with doctor experience. When considering a chemical peel it is critical to work with an experienced doctor.

Conclusion

As you can see although a chemical peel and microdermabrasion is often touted as skin rejuvenation options the practicality of achieving your desired result indicate how different they really are.

When you visit your physician it is important to explain what you want to achieve and allow your doctor to help you make the best decision for you based upon your expected outcomes, your budget and of course your social ability to digest downtime.

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