Skin resurfacing treatments are aesthetic medicine’s secret weapon against tired, aging skin. By removing microscopic layers of skin cells, resurfacing treatments can target the signs of aging, tackle dullness and poor texture, and provide all-round skin rejuvenation. However, with a wide range of skin resurfacing treatments available, it can be difficult to gauge which treatment will be most effective for your particular skin concerns. Different resurfacing treatments are more effective for some skin concerns than others, and their recovery processes and required downtime may vary. In this article, we compare two popular skin resurfacing treatments – Nano Laser Peels and chemical peels – to help give you a sense of which treatment may be most suitable for your needs.
How Does Skin Resurfacing Work?
Before unpacking what chemical and Nano Laser peels involve, it’s important to first understand the basic principles of skin resurfacing. Skin resurfacing treatments remove the uppermost layer of dead skin cells, triggering two key processes: collagen production and cellular turnover.
Collagen is an important protein structure found in the skin tissues that helps to maintain the skin’s structure, keeping it plump and firm. As we age, our levels of collagen production decrease, resulting in lax, sagging skin and wrinkles. Cellular turnover, on the other hand, refers to how quickly the skin replaces its uppermost layers. To improve skin tone and texture, and help to treat skin concerns such as scarring and pigmentation, it is essential to boost cell turnover, as this quickens the rate at which old, damaged skin cells are replaced by new, healthy skin cells.
Skin resurfacing treatments trigger both these processes in different ways, and at different depths. Some skin resurfacing treatments target deeper layers of the skin (the upper dermis or middle dermis) and require longer downtime but yield more dramatic results, whereas others target the uppermost layer (epidermis) only and thus require a shorter downtime. Both Nano Laser Peels and chemical peels are variable treatments that can be adapted to target different layers of the skin, making them highly versatile and effective treatment options.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are a skin resurfacing staple: these highly effective exfoliating treatments have been used by aesthetic physicians for decades to target a wide range of skin concerns.
Chemical peels essentially involve the application of an acid – such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid or trichloroacetic acid – to the skin to remove the outermost layers. The acid breaks down the bonds between the skin cells, facilitating exfoliation. Depending on the type of acid used, a different layer of skin will be targeted – some acids target only the uppermost layers of the skin, providing a ‘light’ peel, whereas others penetrate the skin more deeply, targeting the upper dermis. The concentration of the acid will also impact how deeply it is able to penetrate into the skin.
All types of chemical peels are generally excellent at promoting skin rejuvenation. Lighter peels are typically best suited to addressing dullness and poor texture, whereas medium peels are used to target mild scarring, hyperpigmentation, sun spots, fine lines and wrinkles. The deepest peels are used to target severe scarring and advanced signs of aging.
The recovery time of a chemical peel treatment depends on the type of peel. Whereas lighter peels may involve mild redness on the day of the treatment and light peeling for a few days after; medium peels will involve up to a week of peeling. The deepest peels may require fairly extensive downtime, with significant peeling and redness that may take two to three weeks to heal.
Nano Laser Peels
Nano Laser Peels are cutting-edge skin resurfacing treatments that have greatly enhanced aesthetic physicians’ ability to precisely target each client’s unique skin concerns. Nano Laser Peels are an excellent treatment option for those seeking light skin resurfacing treatments which are more comfortable than chemical peels and have a shorter downtime.
Instead of chemicals, Nano Laser Peels use light energy in the form of an erbium laser to remove the uppermost skin layers. The wavelength of the laser can be fine-tuned to suit each client’s particular skin concerns and sensitivity to downtime. Typically, Nano Laser Peels reach a depth of 10 microns, targeting the uppermost layers of the epidermis. When the laser makes contact with the skin, light energy is absorbed and converted into heat energy, which then destroys the skin cells in the targeted layer.
Nano Laser Peels are the go-to treatment option for those with dull, tired-looking skin who want to achieve a radiant, glowing complexion and smooth texture. Nano Laser Peels can also help to target fine lines, especially if multiple treatments are scheduled 6-8 weeks apart. Nano Laser Peels may be compared to ‘lighter’ chemical peels, but have the benefit of a quicker recovery time. The procedure itself, which involves the application of a topical numbing cream, is also more comfortable than a chemical peel.
Nano Laser Peels are often referred to as ‘lunchtime peels’, because they involve virtually no downtime – after your peel, you can return to your normal daily routine. While some clients experience mild redness and swelling after a Nano Laser Peel, this usually resolves within a few hours. Some flaking after a Nano Laser Peel is normal, but the skin typically recovers within 2-3 days.
For Superior Skin Resurfacing Treatments, Look No Further Than Restorative Medspa
Skin resurfacing treatments are an essential part of effective skincare, and play a vital role in keeping skin smooth and glowing while also minimizing the signs of aging. At Restorative Medspa, we are pleased to offer our clients an exceptional range of chemical and Nano Laser Peel treatments that can be tailored to your individual needs.
Our experienced aesthetic physician, Dr Asma Ghafoor, will discuss your skin concerns with you and recommend a resurfacing treatment that balances your capacity for downtime with your particular aesthetic goals. Schedule your first consultation today at 630-441-4160 and let your skin rejuvenation journey begin!
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