Differences between Chemical Peels and Microdermabrasion
The Differences
Okay. Now that you know quite a bit about chemical peels and microdermabrasion, it is quite normal for you to wonder which the better wrinkle removal option is. (In fact, I too was in the same dilemma once I read all about these two wrinkle removal options).
Basically, both of these options are similar to each other. This is why sometimes a microdermabrasion is also referred to as a microdermabrasion peel. However it should be noted that they both don’t mix and match.
While both of them are great resurfacing procedures used for exfoliating the skin, if used together, they can cause serious damage to the skin because of this double peeling effect. They have various other differences, mentioned below:
1. While microdermabrasion is better for treating superficial skin imperfections like fine lines and wrinkles, chemical peels are better for treating deeper scars and wrinkles.
2. Chemical peels come in various strengths (as I’d mentioned before), viz mild, medium and deep. This is unlike microdermabrasion, which is one and the same for all.
3. While you may need some anesthetic during a cheap chemical peel to overcome its discomfort, there is no need of any anesthetic during a microdermabrasion. At the most, you may experience some tingling sensation during a microdermabrasion session.
4. The recovery time for a microdermabrasion is a few hours, or a few days at the most. However in case of a chemical peel, the recovery time depends on what type of chemical peel you have. While glycolic peels are the mildest, phenol treatment requires a few weeks of recovery time, along with face bandages, painkillers and antibiotics.
5. Microdermabrasion give the mildest side effects like mild redness and stinging which fade in a few hours time, while deep chemical peels may cause burns, scaring, flaking and even permanent changes in skin color.
6. For effective results from microdermabrasion, you need to undergo 6-12 sessions, and a maintenance session every 3 months. However a deep phenol chemical peeling is done once in a lifetime while mild chemical peels should be done once in 1.5 months and medium chemical peels, once in 2-3 months for at least a year.
Similarities between chemical peels and microdermabrasion
It is possible to use both microdermabrasion and chemical peels on your face, neck, chest, back and hands. In case of facial resurfacing, they both last for about half an hour while an hour is needed for neck and chest resurfacing.
Both chemical peels and microdermabrasion can be done in a doctor’s office, beauty salon, spa and even in your own home. However over the counter products of both wrinkle removal options are less effective than a professional one.
Costs
Cost wise, home chemical peels are available between $15 to $100 while at-home microdermabrasion kits cost about $20 – $50.
Mild chemical peels are available between $150 to $300 while microdermabrasion is cheaper and available between $75 and $200. Medium chemical face peels are much more expensive and cost between $1000 to $2000 and deep chemical peels cost between $2,000 to $7,000, including consultation, anesthesia and hospital and medication fees.
