Spring is here, and although the temperatures might just be starting to warm up, you’re ready to shed the excesses of winter, from your heavy winter coat to your heavy winter skincare routine.
If your skin feels dull or weighed down by dry, dead cells, the beginning of spring can be the perfect time to start up microdermabrasion or chemical peel routine.
While both treatments help exfoliate your skin, they aren’t the same thing. Understanding what each can do and what each requires will help you give your skin a fresh start as a new season gets underway.
What’s the difference between microdermabrasion and chemical peels?
So, what’s the big difference between a chemical peel and microdermabrasion? The major difference between the two is how they exfoliate the skin. During a microdermabrasion treatment, an aestheticianmay use a small, diamond tipped tool to remove the top most layer of skin cells. The loosened cells are then vacuumed away. The process gently, safely sloughs off the top, uneven layer, exposing skin that looks and feels smoother. Microdermabrasion can also aid in minor scar revision and help to promote overall skin rejuvenation whether separately or following cosmetic surgery.
While microdermabrasion uses a physical device to exfoliate the skin, chemical peels use anagent to achieve the same effect. The chemicals used in a peel vary based on what you hope to get out of it. For example, some peels contain hydroquinone, a bleaching agent that can help lighten the skin. If you have melasma, dark spots leftover from past pimples, or sun spots, hydroquinone can help fade them. A peel may also contain salicylic acid, or another type of betahydroxy acid, as well as alpha hydroxy acids, all of which help increase cell turnover, reducing fine lines and wrinkles and helping to control blemishes or pimples.
What to Expect After your skin treatment
Microdermabrasion treatments require no downtime, and patients often relate it to a mild scratching sensation, such as a cat lick. Skin may appear slightly pink for about a half hour after treatment, but you’re able to return to your regular routine immediately.
As the name suggests, you might have some actual peeling of the skin after a chemical peel, depending on the type of chemical peel performed. Skin may appear pink or slightly red immediately after, with peeling starting 3-5 days following treatment. Promoting skin cell turnover and smoothing texture, skin will feel fresh and rejuvenated.
Which skin treatment is right for you?
Whether a chemical peel or microdermabrasion is right for you depends on a number of factors, from what you hope to get out of the treatment to your schedule. If you’re looking for a frequent, quick treatment, microdermabrasion might be for you. Results from the treatment are visible right away, although you will see more dramatic results as you have more and more treatments.
If you have a specific skin issue that you want to target, a chemical peel might be the choice for you. Since peels come in a variety of strengths and can contain a variety of ingredients, you might be able to get a more customized experience with one than with a microdermabrasion treatment.
It’s also possible to combine the two treatments or to alternate between them.Your aesthetician can review your concerns to develop a customized treatment plan that will provide you with results you’ll celebrate!
A new season is an ideal time to give a new skin care routine a try. If you’re unsure whether a chemical peel or microdermabrasion is right for you, Dr. Andrew Campbell and the staff at Quintessa Medical Spa can help you choose.
Whether you’re interested in plastic surgery or exploring non-surgical alternatives, we’re confident Quintessa’s team of certified specialists can help achieve the results you’re looking for. Schedule a consultation today or visit us in person at one of our southeastern Wisconsin locations in Delafield, Madison, Mequon, Middleton and Sheboygan to learn more.