Hundreds, if not thousands, of professional skin treatments promise to turn back the clock and reveal your younger, more flawless self. But with the many options, it’s hard to know which treatments are right for your skin goals.
Every skin resurfacing procedure uses different techniques to achieve skin perfection. Although the results can be the same, the journey depends on the treatment and how well your skin suits it.
Laser resurfacing and chemical peels are two skin resurfacing treatments that achieve similar skin goals using different approaches. Keep reading to dive into our comparison of laser resurfacing and chemical peels and see if either is right for you.
The 5 Types of Skin Aging
As you age, your skin might experience several types of skin aging. Yet the good news is that skin resurfacing can improve each one. The five types of skin aging can be categorized under the following:
Intrinsic
Intrinsic aging is what naturally occurs in the skin over time. Our skin’s functions, such as collagen production, start to slow as we get older, and skin elasticity weakens. Intrinsic aging is inevitable, but a good skincare routine and resurfacing treatments can help delay it.
Extrinsic
You’ve likely heard skincare professionals tell you to always wear sunscreen. That’s because extrinsic aging, also known as photoaging, is one of the leading causes of premature skin damage. It’s caused by UV and blue light exposure and oxidative stress, so give your skin some love and wear an SPF sunscreen before going outside.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle aging refers to detrimental lifestyle habits. Smoking, sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, and stress affect your physical well-being, but they can also contribute to your skin’s health. Nicotine can cause capillary damage, a diet high in processed foods can cause skin inflammation, and stress can cause tension in the face. Consider your lifestyle habits to improve your skin.
Hormonal
Hormonal aging is a natural part of life, particularly for women, because the skin is hormone-dependent. Estrogen naturally declines when women reach menopause, leading to slower cell turnover and skin that becomes dry, dull, and less elastic. Hormonal acne can also wreak havoc on your skin cells, causing premature aging.
Catabolic
Chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or infection, contribute to catabolic aging. When you experience catabolic aging, your skin can become discolored and show more signs of aging due to extreme stress.
How Laser Resurfacing Works
Thomas L Roberts, III invented laser resurfacing in the 1990s. While skincare treatments have been used for centuries, laser resurfacing is only in its infancy. However, laser technology has come a long way in just a few decades.
Laser resurfacing uses light and heat to intentionally injure targeted areas on the epidermis — the outer skin layer. This damage triggers the skin’s repair response. While it’s working at a surface level, the laser simultaneously warms the second layer of skin, the dermis, to stimulate cell turnover and collagen production.
You’ve probably seen different names and types of lasers at various clinics. Some skin clinics have even branded their laser machines. Regardless of their phrasing, most laser resurfacing machines will treat similar skin conditions at different levels.
How Chemical Peels Work
Chemical peels were used in skincare as far back as Ancient Egypt when women bathed in sour milk. The lactic acid from milk worked to help exfoliate and resurface the skin. Today, lactic acid is still used as an AHA (an alpha-hydroxy acid) in many chemical exfoliants and treatments.
When performing a chemical peel treatment, a skincare professional applies an acid solution to your skin and leaves it for a few minutes, or even longer. They’ll either use an alpha-hydroxy acid that works on surface-level problems or a beta-hydroxy acid that works in the pores and follicles. Or, they could use a combination.
Depending on your skin conditions and goals, there are three levels to a chemical peel: light, medium, and deep. Each level uses a different acid strength and affects more skin layers.
The acid in a chemical peel changes the skin’s pH from 5.5 to 3.8, which helps break down the bonds — or “glue” — that hold cells together and stimulates the skin’s natural exfoliation mechanism. When the chemical peel is removed, the dead skin cells lift off and reveal fresh, new skin.
What Both Treatments Can Treat
Laser resurfacing and chemical peels can treat most of the same skin conditions. However, they weren’t created equal, and you’ll find that each treatment has its strengths.
Both techniques can treat:
- Hyperpigmentation
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles
- Scarring
- Sun damage
- Age spots
- Skin texture
- Skin tone
- Skin firming
Laser resurfacing is more effective with issues such as deeper scarring, wrinkles, or severe hyperpigmentation. This is because laser resurfacing works at a surface level to remove the targeted skin cells and stimulates collagen (the primary building block of protein) below the surface.
On the other hand, chemical peels work wonders on surface issues like acne. Typically, a chemical peel with salicylic and glycolic acid works better than a laser to reduce and improve the look of acne and large pores. Chemical peels can also be applied to the entire face, whereas laser resurfacing targets smaller areas. Therefore, chemical peels can facilitate better absorption of other skincare products.
Risks and Recovery Time of Laser Resurfacing
The risks of laser resurfacing range from mild to severe. The mild symptoms are common and can almost feel like a sunburn, while the rare symptoms can be more serious.
More common symptoms include:
- Redness
- Irritation
- Inflammation
- Swelling
- Temporary hyperpigmentation
Rare symptoms include:
- Scarring
- Skin discoloration
- Infection
Recovery time for laser treatment varies, but common symptoms typically last a few hours to a few days. If you experience more severe reactions, consult your dermatologist immediately.
Risks and Recovery Time of Chemical Peels
Like lasers, chemical peels have side effects that range from mild to severe. Again, it typically feels like sunburn, but it can vary.
More common symptoms include:
- Redness
- Irritation
- Inflammation
- Scabbing
- Temporary hyper (darkening) or hypo (lightening) pigmentation
Rare symptoms and risks include:
- Scarring
- Skin discoloration
- Infection
- Heart, kidney, or liver damage (a risk with some deep chemical peels)
Recovery time for chemical peels depends on the type you receive. For light chemical peels, you should only have symptoms for a day or two. As the treatment intensifies, you can expect to experience symptoms for a few days or even up to a week or longer. It depends on your treatment and how quickly your skin recovers.
Who Makes a Good Candidate?
With both laser resurfacing and chemical peels, some factors can make you a better candidate. Reasons for ineligibility are typically due to health, safety, and efficacy purposes.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing works best on skin colors that are medium to light. That doesn’t mean dark skin can’t receive laser treatments, but there is a higher risk of hyperpigmentation. You might be better off finding an alternative procedure, like a chemical peel.
Other contraindications for laser resurfacing include:
- Active acne
- Deep wrinkles
- Excessive sagging skin
- Pregnant or lactating
- Diabetes
- Psoriasis
- Skin cancers
- Accutane usage in the past six months
- Skin infections
- Pacemakers
- Tendency for abnormal scarring
- Immuno-compromised
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are considered safe and work for most skin types, tones, and colors, particularly dark skin. However, chemical peels may not be the best option if you have barrier damage or skin sensitivity issues. In these instances, they can exacerbate existing symptoms and cause unintentional skin damage.
Some of the contraindications for chemical peels include:
- Sunburn or skin irritation
- Open sores or lesions
- Accutane usage in the past six months
- Recent skin resurfacing treatment
- Severe rosacea or acne
- Prone to scarring or hyperpigmentation
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Sunburn or irritated skin
- Cold sores
- Infectious diseases
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Immuno-compromised
There may be other conditions or factors that can make you ineligible for laser resurfacing or chemical peels, so always consult a certified cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist so they can make an assessment. After receiving any treatment, follow your skin care protocol, and wear sunscreen outdoors.
Results
One of the reasons laser resurfacing and chemical peels are so popular is because of their effectiveness. Depending on the intensity of your treatment and the concerns you’re targeting, you can reach your skin goals quickly.
For laser resurfacing, you will typically get a treatment plan with several visits every couple of weeks or every month. Results aren’t instant because laser resurfacing stimulates collagen; however, you can expect significant improvements after a few months.
Like laser resurfacing, chemical peels take several visits. Unlike with laser resurfacing, you’ll see improvements in your skin only a week or two after your first treatment.
Costs
Laser resurfacing is incredibly effective but comes with a higher price tag.
- Laser resurfacing price range: $1,500 – $2,500 per treatment.
Chemical peels can be more affordable, but the price range depends on your skin concerns and the intensity of the peel.
- Light chemical peel price range: $150-$750 per treatment.
- Medium chemical peel price range: $500-$2,000 per treatment.
- Deep chemical peel price range: $2,500-$6,000 per treatment.
While these are general prices, the costs don’t include other things, such as anesthesia or aftercare.
Alternatives to Laser and Chemical Peels
Laser resurfacing and chemical peels are significant investments in your skin. If you need more time to consider the procedures, you could try resurfacing skincare products at home.
First, consider the Crystal Ball Microdermabrasion Treatment. It contains volcanic pumice to physically exfoliate and gently resurface the outermost layer of your skin, removing dead skin cells and giving your skin a youthful glow.
Fake ID Glycolic Rejuvenating Serum is a daily resurfacing serum that fights signs of aging. With glycolic and lactic acid, powerful alpha hydroxy acids used in resurfacing treatments, this serum minimizes fine lines and wrinkles and revitalizes the skin’s barrier. It also contains sea whip to help soothe the skin.
Skin resurfacing is a beneficial skin treatment for anyone looking to achieve healthier, more radiant skin. Laser resurfacing and chemical peels are both fantastic, safe options. Hopefully, this post has given you insight into which treatment best suits your needs and skin.
Always consult a certified skincare professional to ensure you receive the safest and best procedure.