Photorejuvenation vs. Chemical Peel – Which Is Right for You?
By Neel Kanase | Published on October 11, 2010 | 0 Comments
For age spots, freckles, sun spots and uneven skin tone, two of today’s most popular medical spa treatments, chemical peels and photorejuvenation, offer exciting results. But which treatment is right for you and why? According to Neel Kanase, MD of Midland Laser Clinic, a medical spa in Midland, TX, photorejuvenation offers a number of benefits over a standard chemical peel.
What Is a Chemical Peel?
One of the oldest and most popular cosmetic treatments in the world, a chemical peel is generally used to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, acne, scars, and uneven pigmentation. When a chemical peel is performed, an acid solution is applied to the face to remove damaged outer layers of skin, revealing the smoother, more even toned, younger-looking skin below.
While chemical peels generally offer good results, Dr. Kanase says that there are certainly some disadvantages. First, he explains, chemical peels can be quite uncomfortable. Most chemical peels, says Dr. Kanase, require the use of topical anesthetics for pain management or sedative medications. “Although these procedures are very popular,” he says, “they are painful.” Prescription pain relievers are usually required after chemical peels. Furthermore, a chemical peel must be performed in a setting with all of the same types of equipment and emergency procedures as a hospital operating room (if not in an actual hospital setting).
Chemical peels also involve some downtime. Depending on the type of peel you choose, you can expect to have red, dry, peeling skin for some time after the procedure. With medium and deep chemical peels, there is also some risk of infection or scarring.
The Advantages of Photorejuvenation
Photorejuvenation, says Dr. Kanase, is a non-invasive, non-ablative procedure used to achieve smoother, evenly pigmented, younger-looking skin. Photorejuvenation involves the use of a special light to selectively target collagen and blood vessels below the skin’s surface, causing them to constrict and encouraging cell turnover. While a chemical peel is a surface-level treatment, photorejuvenation goes deeper, stimulating collagen production for smoother, more supple skin.
Because photorejuvenation is a non-ablative procedure (no skin is removed), it is considerably more comfortable than a chemical peel. In Dr. Kanase’s experience, any discomfort associated with the procedure is usually short-lived and easily managed. And since the procedure is completely non-invasive, there is no need for it to be performed in a hospital or a hospital-like setting.
While a chemical peel usually requires some time for the skin to recover before makeup can be applied and normal activities resumed, photorejuvenation, says Dr. Kanase, requires zero downtime. “Essentially, you walk in, have the procedure, and walk out,” he says. With photorejuvenation, there is no peeling, no dryness, and no need to take any time off from work.
What to Expect
The photorejuvenation procedure generally takes about 30 minutes. After the procedure, there will likely be some redness, Dr. Kanase explains, but it should fade relatively quickly. It does take some time for the results of your treatment to become noticeable, but you should see continued improvements for several days.
To achieve the best results, multiple photorejuvenation sessions are usually required. Dr. Kanase recommends a course of five treatments, spaced about 30 days apart. The reason for this, he says, is that cell turnover in the treated area takes about 30 days. In order to maintain your results, daily sunscreen use will be required. “Because treated skin is more vulnerable to the effects of sun exposure,” Dr. Kanase says, “you will want to be very diligent with sun protection after your procedure.”
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.