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

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.

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis for most deep scars. The options available for acne scars depend on the character of your scars, in terms of topography and contour. We see atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. We begin each scar evaluation with an assessment of scar quality and subtype. Our main concern is rebuilding collagen and that is why we use a HIDEF protocol that includes combination therapy. Morpheus 8, scar subcision, fibrous release, fractional laser, CO2 laser, Thulium laser, PDL Vbeam laser, and fractional resurfacing can be used in addition to TCA Cross and chemical peels to further improve skin. Patients should start Melarase AM and Melarase PM for active hyperpigmentation. Always begin with a consultation to decide whether early subcision should be started.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

If you are looking for a quicker response of treatment then I would suggest you consider the Fraxel Laser. Fraxel is the "magic eraser" and I love this laser.  We have had fabulous results with the Fraxel.  I do recommend that you consult a board certified dermatologist with experience with Fraxel for the best cosmetic results.  Best, Dr. Green

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, to create its effects. Coblation is about 85% as effective as CO2 laser, and is less likely to cause burns or depigmentation.
Another option might be a combination of brow lift and laser/coblation, perhaps blephaorplasty and laser or coblation.
Also, don't forget that botox will work with wrinkles, and is less expensive.

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.

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 downtime, usually 5-7, depending on how aggressive the surgeon decides to be with your treatment. The price is usually about $2000 - $2500 US.

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.

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 deepers lines or to acheive a faster result. The 3D approach we like to use addresses different levels of the skin structure. We tailor the treatment to the desired down time that our patients can afford.Hope that helps!

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 will not work because the muscles will continue to contract and cause the lines.
The non-ablative laser treatments are competatively priced with the chemical peels.