Is Chemical Peel or Laser Skin Resurfacing the Best Treatment for Me?

asked 3 years ago by CJ Jessy in London, UK
Latest answer by Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Question viewed 6,239 times
Tags: comparison

Hi there, I am currently investigating either a Chemical peel or Laser Skin Resurfacing, ideally I'd like to spend £1500 (I think about $2200). I have fair and sensitive skin (blue eyes, and light brown hair) and am 38 years old, I would like to know what treatments you would recommend.

Reason for treatment is to ideally diminish lines on forehead and around eyes and also reduce the size of pores, thank you (btw I live in the UK but am happy to travel to the US).

7 answers to Is Chemical Peel or Laser Skin Resurfacing the Best Treatment for Me?

Laser, or Coblation VS Peel

For wrinkle reduction, the gold standard non-surgical treatment would be CO2 Laser. This is excellent but has a very high likelyhood of causing skin depigmentation. It makes wide pores narrower. There is some risk of scarring. In my experience, peels are also effective, but will leave pores wider, in many instances. I am not sure if there is a peel that won't cause this effect on pores. Coblation acts like laser, only uses radio frequency energy waves rather than light like the laser,... more

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Non-ablative fractional Erbium laser resurfacing is best option for reducing pore size and rejuvenating skin

The non-ablative 1540 Erbium fractional laser resurfacing is your best option. This modality goes deeper than the chemical peel and is one of the few treatments that can reduce pore size as well as improve skin texture and fine lines. Ablative laser and chemical peels can increase pore size. Forehead lines and crow's feet are dynamic lines-which means they are caused by contraction of muscles. Only Botox or Dysport which relax the muscles can reduce forehead lines-simple skin treatmenhts... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

Laser treatments are more accurate, with lesser downtime

Reducing fine lines and pore size can be accomplished with so many different modalities. I prefer lasers because I think they afford less of a downtime and more accuracy than a chemical peel.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

You will do great with Active FX

You sound like a perfect candidate for the Active FX, possibly combined with Deep FX treatment. Ideally this fractional laser resurfacing treatment is great for younger patients, like yourself, who have early aging changes and want to have a refreshed look and maintain their youthful appearance. It is great for removing or diminishing fine lines, improving skin tone and texture, decreasing pore size and new collagen formation. It is a one-time treatment, and you will have several days of... more

Stella Desyatnikova, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Both Chemical peel and laser resurfacing may help

If you have dynamic (with facial expression) and static (with muscles at rest) wrinkles, you may benefit from Botox injections, followed 2-4 weeks later, with laser or chemical peel resurfacing. If you are going to have laser resurfacing, I would suggest one of the newer fractionated devices (Fraxel Repair or Total FX). If you are going to choose the chemical peel resurfacing route, find someone with experience in full face/neck phenol peel procedures. Good luck.

Bryan K. Chen, MD
San Diego Dermatologist

Laser Resurfacing is probably the way to go

In general, for more controlled and dramatic results, laser skin resurfacing tends to work better. In the past, chemical peels were the way to go, but with the newer lasers out in the market, you can achieve a more controlled and safer result than a chemical peel can give you. In the past, phenol chemical peel produced the most dramatic results. I think more doctors have moved away from this procedure secondary for the reasons sited. Hope that helps.

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Chemical Peel and Lasers are good techniques for skin resurfacing

Chemical peels and lasers are excellent resurfacing techniques. Doctors often tailor the treatment to every patient. In general, we like to use the medium depth peels(TCA 15-35%) to treat fine lines around the eye and mouth and improve the look and feel of skin. However, to use peels, we like to prep the skin with some prodcuts e.g Retin A or some AHA prodcuts e.g Glycolic acid. The peel might need to be repeated in 8 weeks or so depending on the response. We like to use lasers on... more

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

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