Chemical Peel vs Microdermabrasion

asked 2 years ago by 5161anon in Fairborn, Ohio
Latest answer by Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Question viewed 11,260 times
Tags: comparison

Which is better for moderate acne scars and sun damage? Is one better for one or the other? Should they be combined?

6 answers to Chemical Peel vs Microdermabrasion

Better results with chemical peels

I have seen improvement in the appearance of ance scars and sun damage with chemical peels and microdermabrasion. In my opinion, results can be seen sooner with chemical peels since exfoliation can be cutomized to meet the needs of your skin and can be stronger than microdermabrasion alone. Microdermabrasion is more superficial and is a great option to maintain your skin after you achieved your desired result. Depending on your skin type chemical peels can be combined with... more

Joseph Serota, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Microdermabrasion does not remove scars

Microdermabrasion will not remove scars but can improve brown spots left over from acne lesions. It will also improve discolorations and coarse texture caused by sun damage. Light chemical peels will have the same effect. Stronger light and medium peels, such as TCA peels may improve scars and wrinkles but not as effectively as some lasers. Deep peels will remove scars but can also cause permanent loss of skin color and are therefore have been replaced by... more

Lorrie Klein, MD
Laguna Niguel Dermatologic Surgeon

Improving acne scars and sun damage

The discolorations left behind from acne lesions are not truly scars but rather post-inflammatory red or brown color. True acne scars leave behind tissue loss and indentations in the skin. Post-inflammatory color can be improved both by microdermabration and chemical peels. Each technique can provide superficial resurfacing of the skin. Your skin cells turn over every 28 days. Alternating microdermabrasion with chemical peels on a monthly basis will take... more

Pamela Carr, MD
Sugar Land Dermatologist

Moderate acne scars and sun damage can be treated many ways.

Microdermabrasion will remove the top, dry, rough skin layers and will leave your skin softer and smoother. This procedure is similar to how your skin would feel after a nice facial. Microdermabrasion will have very little to no effect at all on acne scars (even mild ones), as these scars are within and often extend below the deeper skin layers. Even the deepest laser resurfacing, surgical dermabrasion, or strongest chemical peel will not completely remove or eliminate moderate or... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

Chemical peels are best

The biggest bang for your buck, so to speak, is definitely chemical peels. There are a variety of them to chose from and if done properly can make a big difference even for deeper acne scars. Microdermabrasion, in my opinion, will make little, if any, difference.

Victoria W. Serralta, MD
Arlington Dermatologic Surgeon

Chemical Peels tend to do a lot better for discolorations and sun damage than microdermabrasions.

There are many types and strenghts of chem peels which work great for discolorations and sun damage but still usually need to be done 4-6 times. Microdermabrasions do well to maintain your complexion once the peels get it to where you like it.

David Hansen, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

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