Skin resurfacing techniques such as chemical peels, dermabrasion, and laser skin resurfacing all achieve results in essentially the same way. During these procedures, layers of the skin are removed, and as the healing process progresses, a new, healthier-looking layer of skin emerges. What differentiates each skin resurfacing method is the technique used to remove the skin’s layers.
Chemical peels involve the application of a caustic solution, dermabrasion utilizes a high-speed rotary wheel, and laser resurfacing relies on controlled laser energy. Each technique is designed to improve skin texture, tone, and overall appearance.
How Is a Chemical Peel Performed?
A chemical peel solution may be applied to the entire face or only to targeted regions, such as the crow’s feet around the eyes or the vertical wrinkles around the mouth. Your plastic surgeon applies the solution using a sponge, cotton pad, or, for smaller areas, a cotton swab or brush.
The surgeon carefully observes changes in your skin’s appearance to determine how long the solution should remain in place. With certain types of chemical peels, the solution may be neutralized after an appropriate amount of time has elapsed to control the depth of the peel and ensure patient safety.
Types of Chemical Peels
Chemical peels vary based on their ingredients, strength, and the depth of their peeling action. The depth may also be influenced by how long the solution remains on the skin and whether it is applied lightly or rubbed more vigorously.
Superficial Chemical Peels (AHA Peels)
The most superficial peels typically use alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic acid. These peels are often performed repeatedly to achieve cumulative improvements in skin texture. AHA peels help reduce fine wrinkles, sun damage, and brown spots while refreshing the overall appearance of the skin.
Trichloracetic Acid (TCA) Peels
A TCA peel is commonly used to treat wrinkles, pigmentary changes, and skin blemishes. For spot peeling in limited areas, such as around the mouth or eyes, TCA formulas are often preferred because they have less bleaching effect than phenol-based solutions.
Milder TCA peels can be repeated frequently for gradual improvement, or stronger concentrations can be used to achieve a medium or deep peel depending on application technique.
Phenol Chemical Peels
A phenol peel is sometimes recommended for treating severely sun-damaged and rough facial skin. Phenol effectively reduces wrinkles ranging from fine lines to deep creases. It can correct pigmentary issues such as blotchiness and age-related brown spots and may be used to treat precancerous skin conditions.
Phenol peels are especially useful for minimizing vertical lines around the mouth. However, phenol often causes a significant bleaching effect, making it less ideal for spot treatments. After treatment, makeup may be needed to help blend treated areas with surrounding skin. Buffered phenol formulas may offer greater flexibility and milder results.
How Is Dermabrasion Performed?
Dermabrasion uses a small, rapidly spinning wheel with a roughened surface similar to fine-grained sandpaper to remove the upper layers of skin. This skin resurfacing technique is often selected for treating facial scars, including acne scars, and is commonly performed on the cheeks or the entire face.
Dermabrasion, like deeper chemical peels, is highly effective in reducing vertical wrinkles around the mouth that may cause lipstick to “bleed.” It can also be used on smaller treatment areas and on patients with darker complexions. Typically, the treated skin blends well with surrounding areas, resulting in minimal pigment variation.
How Is Laser Skin Resurfacing Performed?
Laser skin resurfacing is the most recently developed of the skin resurfacing techniques and has proven to be highly effective. Like chemical peels and dermabrasion, laser resurfacing treats wrinkles, age spots, blotchiness, and acne scars.
Laser resurfacing may be applied to the entire face or targeted areas. Certain skin characteristics, such as thickness and texture, can influence whether a patient is a good candidate. Some individuals benefit from the laser’s mild skin-tightening effect, particularly in the lower eyelid area where aging often causes looseness.
Why Consider Facial Skin Rejuvenation?
Your appearance significantly affects how you feel about yourself and how others perceive you. It is natural for people who feel young and healthy to want to look the same. Facial skin rejuvenation can effectively reduce wrinkles, improve skin tone and color, treat sun spots, remove blotchiness, and eliminate damaged blood vessels.
Millions of men and women undergo some form of facial skin rejuvenation every year. Advances in technology and treatment techniques allow dermatologists to achieve subtle, effective results with greater safety and faster healing. Most procedures are performed in-office, offering convenient and cost-effective solutions with little or no downtime.
Categories of Facial Skin Rejuvenation Procedures
Facial rejuvenation treatments fall into nine key categories:
Topical Products
Fillers and Botulinum Rejuvenation
Chemical Peels
Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
Laser Resurfacing, IPL, and LED
Radiofrequency Technologies
Photodynamic Therapy
Surgical Excision
Tumescent Liposuction
