Some individuals consider chemical peels and laser resurfacing a harsh procedure. However, treatments are rejuvenating rather than damaging. Both treatments foster a healthy, young appearance. Yet, determining which is best for you comes down to needs and skin type.
Becoming familiar with the advantages of each procedure may assist you in selecting the best one for your skin. Skin resurfacing treatments help decrease the signs of aging by reducing fine lines, wrinkles, discolouration, and blemishes. They work by detaching the outer layer of your skin to unveil the new, smooth skin resting underneath.
The type of procedure needed depends on the degree of uneven skin, the severity of sun damage, and the depth of wrinkles and fine lines being removed.
Types of Chemical Peels
Chemical peels apply chemical solutions to remove the outer skin layer gently. Solutions range in their power from light to deep. They also vary in the compounds and strength contained in the solution. The application method influences peeling action and how long it remains on the skin.
Light Chemical Peel
Light chemical peels utilize mild acid solutions (salicylic acid, glycolic acid, fruit enzymes, and alpha hydroxy acid (AHA)) to remove the outer skin layers. They are noninvasive and promote skin cell rejuvenation.
Light chemical peels offer a gentle treatment for:
- Dry skin
- Acne
- Pigmentation
- Fine lines
When applied, this chemical peel remains on your skin for a short duration and helps naturally boost elastin and collagen production. This process is essential in promoting youthful, healthy skin.
Medium Chemical Peel
Medium chemical peels use low concentrations of trichloroacetic acid (TCA). This solution removes the outer skin layers to reveal smooth skin. It is ideal for treating:
- Superficial blemishes
- Pigment issue
- Mild wrinkles
This chemical peel is preferred for people with darker complexions because it does not lighten your skin tone.
Medium chemical peels provide noticeable improvements in your skin’s appearance. Selecting this type of peel is advisable if you have mild-to-moderate skin issues. The treatment is less aggressive than deep chemical peels and doesn’t require a lengthy recovery like other intense procedures.
However, patients should note that they may require several treatments for the best results.
Types of Laser Skin Resurfacing
This treatment removes your skin cells layer by layer with extreme accuracy. It enables new skin cells to form while healing, giving patients a youthful look. People use this procedure to treat the entire face or for problem areas. Treatments are non-ablative or ablative.
Ablative Laser Resurfacing
Ablative laser resurfacing uses pulsing high-energy light waves to reduce skin blemishes. It targets the superficial and deeper layers of the skin and stimulates the natural production of elastin and collagen. It works well in people with significant skin discolouration or sun damage.
Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing
Non-ablative laser resurfacing is less aggressive and focuses on the deeper layers of the skin, permitting the superficial layer to remain intact. It incorporates lower energy levels and stimulates elastin and collagen production. This treatment is ideal for those with rosacea, superficial pigmentation, and mild-to-moderate facial wrinkles.
After treatment, the skin may be pink or red for four to eight hours. The area may have slight swelling, but will disappear within a few days. Patients may note a slight stinging sensation that decreases within six hours.
While laser skin resurfacing has no lengthy downtime, we advise people to refrain from using makeup or additional products on the area until redness disappears.
Which treatment is best for my skin?
Patients should note that people with various skin issues and some skin types may experience an increased side effect risk. These treatments will not operate in the same manner on varying skin types.
Chemical peels are frequently the most preferred method because they are more traditional. However, many individuals turn to laser resurfacing in Toronto because it targets the skin more accurately.
When a Chemical Peel May Be Best
Chemical peels effectively remove discolouration. Yet the range of available solutions means their effectiveness varies. Glycolic acids only treat surface skin, while other ingredients like trichloroacetic and lactic acids provide greater intensity.
Light chemical peels are for people with minor skin problems who want to enhance the skin’s overall appearance without the need for harsh skin treatments. People with acne-prone skin can benefit from this peel because it unclogs pores and is a gentle exfoliant.
Light chemical peels have no recovery time. However, following this procedure, your skin may experience mild irritation or flake slightly.
Overall, chemical peels break apart skin, remove dead cells, and regenerate new ones. Patients receive less discolouration and have softer skin. However, the challenge is that, sometimes, patients may require several treatments depending on the intensity of treatment, with longer recovery times until a noticeable difference is detected.
Why choose laser resurfacing?
The most notable reason to select laser resurfacing is that it effectively treats depressed scarring. It provides all the benefits of chemical peels with reduced recovery times. Patients receiving laser resurfacing in Toronto may not have the same downtime as those receiving chemical peels.
Comparatively, laser resurfacing can tackle smaller damage points, whereas chemical peels have a broader application. Chemical peels target skin cells across larger surface areas to stimulate increases in elastic and collagen production, which is necessary for skin rejuvenation. However, laser treatments provide a safer option for stimulating the body’s natural cell growth, especially regarding collagen production.
Laser treatments are cautious, even with difficult-to-treat scarring, so patients may only experience minor and temporary skin injuries. This process substantially increases healing.
Laser treatments offer a safer, more effective method for skin rejuvenation than chemical peels. There is also less downtime associated with this procedure. Laser treatments remove the concern about whether the chemical peel will penetrate the skin deep enough, damage the skin, or cause complications.
Contact Solomon Facial Plastic for Your Skin Rejuvenation Needs
When deciding between chemical peels and laser resurfacing in Toronto, it is best to consult a cosmetic surgeon. Surgeons’ opinions vary about which procedure works best, and often, what they recommend is based on the skin’s condition and the extent of treatment the patient wants.
The treatment you desire may not be best for your skin type, so relying on experts with extensive experience and training in this area is recommended.
To book your consultation, contact Solomon Facial Plastic at 855-519-2799 (Thornhill Clinic) or 416-864-6100 (Davenport Clinic) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. We are also open on Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. As well, patients can reach us by filling out our contact form.
We will find the best option for your skin type. Our patients depend on us to provide solutions that will not damage their skin. They also leave our offices with greater confidence because we provide natural-looking, more youthful results each time.
