Is it best to perform a chemical peel a few weeks before or a few weeks after a microneedling treatment?

A peel before microneedling as well as a few weeks after is ideal to get the most benefit for skin tightening. Fractora with PRP/defenage is the most effective of the radiofrequency needling machines and medium TCA peels are the best of  the peels.

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

I think the answer to your question depends on what kind of chemical peel you are interested in and what your goals are. If you are getting a medium depth peel (like TCA) or deeper, than it is unlikely you would need to do the microneedling session at all. Medium depth peels will give you more tightening, collagen production, smoothing, and pigmentation regularization than microneedling with or without PRP. The effects are usually best when done as a series of a 2-3 peels, spaced about 4-6 weeks apart. You may be best served with a few peels. If you are only doing superficial peels (like glycolic acid) than you can consider doing the microneedling as well. Realistically I don't think it will make much a of a difference which order it is done in. A superficial peel is only going to take off the very top layer of the skin and won't stimulate an collagen production, the microneedling can complement this by stimulating a little collagen production. Together they will still not be as effective as a medium depth peel in my opinion. I hope this helps, good luck!!

We frequently advise Microneedling and Chemical Peel regimens as an excellent maintenance regimen. It is also a great post summer clean up series to help tackle advancing sun damage and premature aging. The treatments work well for texture, pores, fine lines, superficial dead skin cells and superficial pigment. I advise starting with a chemical peel and then having their micro needling session 3 weeks following, and then 3 weeks after, the next chemical peel, continuing these intervals for a series of three each and then depending on their particular needs advise their ongoing intervals for micro needling and or chemical peels. For example, acne and acne scars regimen would continue with chemical peels and micro needling. 

Hello Agoss0475,A better question is why are you performing both.  Chemical peels, depending on the depth, are much better at resurfacing the skin than microneedling.  If you are considering both I would recommend simply going with the chemical peel.  To get the best option for you I'd recommend you consult with a facial plastic surgeon to go over your goals and the best way to achieve those goals.  I hope this helps and good luck.  

It depends on the depth of the peel, but in general I would say microneedling first. The face can get very red and sensitive after a medium or deep chemical peel. If you are getting a simple glycolic acid peel, then it probably doesn't matter. Simply wait for the redness to subside before the microneedling. Hope this helps.