Comparing Chemical Peels vs. Other Popular Skin Treatments

If your current skin care regimen isn’t giving you the results you want for conditions such as acne or uneven skin texture, it might be time to consult with a dermatologist or other skin care professional.¹ Chemical peels, microdermabrasion and other non-invasive procedures are treatments that can refresh your skin’s appearance.²

Skin care professionals may recommend chemical peels because they can strip away dead skin, improve skin tone, texture and even minimize the appearance of scars without going under the knife.³ However, they’re not the only treatments with such benefits. Comparing common skin treatments can help you choose the right treatment for your skin goals.

What Are Chemical Peels?

Chemical peels use one of several chemical substances to speed up the skin’s natural sloughing process.⁴ This forces “controlled epidermal damage” to remove surface layers without harming the deeper layer of skin (dermis) to encourage a natural regeneration process that can improve the skin’s appearance and texture.⁵

Types

There are three main types of peels, and each can treat different skin concerns:⁴

Other Popular Skin Treatments

Chemical peels can help treat numerous skin care concerns, but they aren’t the only treatments at a skin care professional’s disposal. Here are some of the other common procedures that can improve the appearance of your skin.

Comparing Effectiveness: Chemical Peels vs. Alternatives

Chemical peels and other skin care treatments may treat similar skin issues and concerns, but how well does each treatment work on conditions such as skin texture, discoloration, acne scars and fine lines? Let’s take a look.

Improving skin texture and exfoliation

Chemical peels and microdermabrasion are commonly recommended treatments for skin resurfacing. While both treatments can help give your skin that glow of rejuvenation and reduce concerns like discoloration and fine lines, a chemical peel generally has longer-lasting results. However, microdermabrasion can be slightly less costly. You can even do these treatments together for maximum results.¹⁰

Another treatment commonly used for signs of anti-aging is the application of topical retinol and other retinoids, derivatives of vitamin A that are shown to reduce the signs of aging, from fine lines and wrinkles to pigmentation issues.¹¹

Treating pigmentation and discoloration

For concerns about pigmentation or skin discoloration, both chemical peels and laser treatments can help improve the skin’s appearance by sloughing away damaged skin and stimulating new growth, but they do it differently.¹²

Chemical peels use acid solutions, which force peeling, while lasers use focused light energy to destroy surface skin cells. Chemical peels address surface-level issues, while laser resurfacing addresses deeper wrinkles and scars. Chemical peels may be less costly than lasers, however.¹²

Treating acne scars and fine lines

While chemical peels, microneedling and lasers can all benefit the appearance of acne scars and fine lines, microneedling is more effective than chemical peels, which are more of a process of exfoliation. In addition, chemical peels provide less improvement in evening out discoloration, texture and contour compared to microneedling.¹³

Microneedling is also gentler and has less downtime than laser treatment. Laser treatments may be recommended for skin that has suffered greater sun damage and deeper wrinkles, but these are more expensive and may require longer recovery time.¹⁴

Comparing Recovery Times

While all of these treatments are minimally invasive, they do have different recovery timelines:

Tips to Choose the Right Treatment for You

Choosing the right treatment includes learning about your skin and finding the right skin care professional. Consider the following when choosing a treatment for your skin:¹

• Know your skin type. Before you even find a dermatologist or skin care professional, learn your skin type so you can seek out someone who focuses on your unique needs.

• Look for specialization. Seek a professional specialized in your skin concerns, such as acne, or a chronic skin condition like eczema or psoriasis.

• Seek relevant credentials. Consider working with a professional who is certified in the relevant experience you’re looking for.

Just as important as who you get to perform your treatment are concerns like what sort of results you’re looking for, the cost of your treatment, the number of treatments you need for optimal results and recovery timelines. You may want to take all of that into account as you decide.¹⁰

Chemical Peels Are Just the Beginning

While chemical peels offer numerous benefits to skin and a variety of peel types, treatments like microdermabrasion, microneedling, lasers and topical treatments all have something to offer. Keep your goals, results, budget and recovery timelines top of mind as you pick a treatment to refresh and rejuvenate your skin. Always seek professional support before you commit.

Financing Skin Treatments With the CareCredit Credit Card

When getting chemical peels or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Jordan Rosenfeld has been freelance writing for 21 years about finances, health, education and more. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Billfold, Good Magazine, GoBanking Rates, Daily Worth, Quartz, Medical Economics, The New York Times, Paypal, The Washington Post and more.