Microneedling vs Chemical Peel-(Which one is Better?)

Microneedling and chemical peels are two popular skin rejuvenation treatments. Both can improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. But which one is right for you? I will explain the difference between microneedling vs chemical peel in this article.

Microneedling Vs Chemical Peel – the Difference

Microneedling uses a device to create tiny punctures in the top layer of the skin with a derma roller or derma pen. This stimulates the body’s healing response, which promotes the production of collagen and elastin. Collagen is a protein that gives skin its strength and elasticity, while elastin helps keep skin firm.

A chemical peel is a skin-resurfacing procedure in which an acidic chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove the top layer of dead skin cells and improve the appearance of the skin concerns like wrinkles, sun damage (Melasma), and uneven skin tone.

This reveals newer, healthier skin cells below. Chemical peels can be done at different depths, depending on your desired results. A deeper peel may provide more dramatic results. Chemical peels are generally safe and have few side effects. The most common side effect is temporary redness and irritation of the treated area.

Also Read: Different Types of Microneedling (Which One is Better?)

Types of Chemical Peel

Chemical peels can be performed at different depths, depending on the desired results.

There are three main types of chemical peels: superficial or light peels, medium peels, and deep peels.

Superficial peels are the least aggressive and remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells and can be performed at home with over-the-counter products. help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. It can also help reduce the appearance of acne scars and sun damage. Light peels are safe for all skin types and require little to no recovery time.

Medium peels require the use of medical-grade chemicals and must be performed by a trained professional in a medical setting. Medium peels are slightly stronger than light peels. This type of peel is used to improve the appearance of moderate wrinkles, age spots, and sun damage. A medium peel can also help reduce the appearance of acne scars. Medium peels require a bit more recovery time than light peels.

Deep peels are the most aggressive type of peel and can only be performed by a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Deep peels are the strongest type of chemical peel. This type of peel is used to dramatically reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles, age spots, and sun damage.

Benefits of Microneedling

One of the biggest benefits of microneedling is that it stimulates collagen production. Collagen is a protein that helps keep our skin looking youthful and plump. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. Microneedling can help reverse this process by triggering the body to produce more collagen. This leads to smoother, firmer skin. It can also help the body produce more elastin, which keeps our skin elastic. This is especially helpful for those who have had a lot of sun exposure or are dealing with deeper scars from acne or other injuries. While microneedling can help patients with all skin types, it is especially beneficial for those with sun damage.

Also Read: Microchanneling Vs Microneedling (Which is Better?)

Difference Between Derma Rolling and Microneedling?

Derma rollers are primarily used for acne scarring, fine lines, and wrinkles which are superficial and performed using a device called a derma roller which can be also performed at home. This treatment is only used on the face. Microneedling can be performed all over the body – including the face, neck, chest, and hands and treats deep acne scars and wrinkles, and stretch marks. Microneedling is performed using a motorized device called a derma pen with multiple tiny needles vertically stamping the skin at high speed creating controlled micro-punctures or channels in the skin to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin.

How Deep Does Microneedling Go?

Some microneedling devices only penetrate the top layer of skin, known as the epidermis. Others, however, can penetrate deeper into the dermis, which is the second layer of skin.

The depth of penetration will depend on a number of factors, including the type of device used and the person’s individual skin type. Those with thicker skin may need a deeper penetration to see results.

Depth-wise, there are two types of microneedling: spa-depth and medical-depth. Spa-depth microneedling is less invasive and typically requires no numbing agent. Medical-depth microneedling penetrates deeper into the skin and may require the use of a topical numbing agent. The longer the needle length, the more time should elapse between 2 procedures. When using a 1.5-mm needle device, you’ll want to wait at least three weeks between 2 treatments.

Spa-depth microneedling uses shallower needles to penetrate the skin at 0.5mm deep, resulting in less downtime and side effects.
Medical-depth microneedling is a more invasive form of the procedure that penetrates deeper to 2.5mm into the skin. Medical-depth microneedling can be associated with more side effects than spa-depth microneedling, such as bleeding, bruising, and swelling.

Microcneedling Downtime

The downtime for microcneedling is typically 3 days to 1 week. You may experience some redness and swelling for a few hours after the treatment, but this should resolve within a day or two. You may also have some mild bruising, but this usually goes away within a week. Makeup can be applied after 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, so you can return to your normal activities. You can see full results between 4 and 6 weeks following microneedling procedure.

Overall, microcneedling is a safe and effective way to improve the appearance of your skin with minimal downtime.

Benefits of Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are one of the oldest and most popular cosmetic treatments that started to gain popularity in the 1960s. They are a great way to improve the appearance of your skin.

Chemical peels can offer many benefits, including improved skin texture and tone, pigmentation, decreased wrinkles and fine lines, and improved acne scars. Peels can also stimulate collagen production, which can result in firmer, more youthful-looking skin over time.

What are the Chemicals Used in Chemical Peels?

There are a variety of chemicals that can be used in chemical peels, and the exact chemical depends on the desired result. The most common chemicals used in chemical peels are glycolic acid, lactic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and salicylic acid.

• Glycolic acid – is derived from sugarcane and is a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). AHAs are naturally occurring acids that are found in various fruits and vegetables. It is often used to treat acne, and remove blackheads & whiteheads and is safe for all skin types. Glycolic acid peels are typically done in a series of six to eight treatments, spaced about two to four weeks apart.
• Lactic acid which is derived from milk is used to improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin & hyperpigmentation, focus on discoloration, skin looseness, and pore size.
• Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is a strong industrial chemical that is used to treat acne scars and deep wrinkles and is available in medium to high concentrations. TCA peels can be performed at different depths, depending on the condition being treated. Superficial TCA peels are often used to treat fine wrinkles, acne, and pigmentary changes in the skin. Medium-depth TCA peels are used to treat deeper wrinkles, sun damage, and precancerous lesions. Deep TCA peels are sometimes used to treat very deep wrinkles or cancerous lesions.
• Salicylic acid – also known as beta hydroxy acid (BHA) is used in deep peels and is derived from willow bark. It is used to treat acne and blackheads in oily skin and works by breaking down fats and oils that can clog pores.

The strength of the chemical peel will also dictate the choice of chemical, with stronger peels using more potent chemicals.

The chemicals used in light peels are glycolic acid or lactic acid. These acids work by dissolving the bonds that hold dead skin cells together, allowing them to be sloughed off more easily. This process is called desquamation. Light peels can be done at home with over-the-counter products; however, medium and deep peels should be done by a trained professional.

Glycolic acid and Lactic acid are safe for all skin types while Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is a strong acid that is only recommended for use on very dry or sun-damaged skin.

What is Jessner’s solution?

Jessner’s solution is a combination of different chemical substances, including salicylic acid(14gm), resorcinol(14gm), lactic acid(14gm) and ethanol, and is a superficial peeling agent. Jessner’s solution works by exfoliating the skin and unclogging pores.

There are three main types of Jessner’s solutions: light, medium, and strong. The strength of the peel will determine how many layers of skin are removed. Most dermatologists recommend starting with a light peel and working up to a stronger peel over time.

Jessner’s solution is often used to treat acne, wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging. The peel can be done at home or in a salon, and results are typically seen within a week or two.

How effective is Jessner’s solution?

In one study conducted, using modified Jessner’s solution proved to be useful as an adjuvant treatment with TCA in the treatment of melasma, improving the results and minimizing postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Side Effects of Chemical Peels

The most common side effects of chemical peels are temporary and include redness, swelling, stinging sensation, itching, scabbing and burning. More serious side effects are rare but can include permanent scarring, changes in skin color, and blistering. In very rare cases, complications can be life-threatening. Side effects are less in chemical peels performed during the winter in darker people.

Eye injuries, like corneal abrasion, can result from an accidental chemical spill in an eye.

If you are considering a chemical peel, discussing the risks and benefits with your dermatologist is important. You should also make sure to follow all aftercare instructions carefully to minimize the risk of complications.

Microneedling or Chemical Peel – Which Treatment Should you Choose?

It depends on your goals and your skin type. If you’re looking for more targeted treatment for wrinkles or deep scars, microneedling may be the better option. However, if your main concern is the texture of your skin, a chemical peel may be the way to go. Each procedure has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

For example, microneedling is a comparatively more invasive treatment option than chemical peel but with less downtime. It is also less expensive than medium or deep chemical peels. Medium to deep peels needs more time to recover and you have to wait several weeks before your skin returns to its normal tone and texture. As a general rule, chemical peels are recommended for people with dry skin types. Microneedling is more suitable for people with oily skin types and reduces pore size.

If you’re considering a treatment for your skin, talk to your dermatologist about whether microneedling or a chemical peel is right for you.

Can I Do Microneedling and Chemical Peel Together?

Microneedling and TCA chemical peels can be done together to improve the appearance of the skin. When these two procedures are done together, they can provide even better results. The combination can help to improve the overall appearance of the skin and give it a more youthful look.

Dermatologists recommend that you start with a chemical peel first so you can clear out the top layers of your skin. Then, 4-6 weeks later, you may return to your skin care specialist for a microneedling treatment which can boost collagen production in the deeper layers of your skin. It’s important to space out the treatments so that your skin gets time to recover from the chemical peel before microneedling is done.

Also, when having these treatments done together, it’s important to make sure that the chemicals used in the peel are compatible with your skin type. For example, those with sensitive skin should avoid using strong peels such as TCA (trichloroacetic acid).

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Microneedling is a form of skin rejuvenation treatment that uses small needles to create microscopic punctures in the skin to stimulate collagen and elastin under the skin. Microneedling has become increasingly popular in recent years as people look for alternative treatments to harsher deep chemical peels and other harsh skin treatments.

Chemical peels use an acidic solution to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. The chemicals used in chemical peels work by exfoliating the top layer of skin. This reveals new, healthy skin cells and can improve the appearance of your skin texture.

Both microneedling and chemical peels can give you younger-looking skin. Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your individual goals and preferences. If you’re not sure which treatment is right for you, consult with a dermatologist or esthetician who can help you make an informed decision.

References:

1. Evaluation of Various Therapeutic Measures in Striae Rubrae (stretch marks)
2. Management of stretch marks (with a focus on striae rubrae)
3. Complications of Medium Depth and Deep Chemical Peels
4. Assessing the safety of superficial chemical peels in darker skin: A retrospective study
5. A study comparing chemical peeling using modified Jessner’s solution and 15% trichloroacetic acid versus 15% trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of melasma