Microneedling or Chemical Peels: Which is best for you?
Whatever your aesthetic goals, microneedling and chemical peels are a great addition to any home skin care regimen. When applied by an experienced aesthetic provider, these treatments can address a wide range of common skin complaints. But, which treatment is right for you? While one or the other may be the better choice, a combination of both treatments could provide you with exceptional results. Not everyone can do it all, however. So if you need to choose one, which should you choose?
Microneedling
Microneedling via a microneedling "pen" has actually been around for some time. The treatment utilizes an automated, handheld device that creates microscopic dermal punctures, or micro injuries, to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin beneath the skin. These are the building blocks of youthful skin and also promote healing and cellular turnover. Following treatment, and after a series of treatments, skin regenerates more quickly. This reduces the appearance of common skin complaints, such as:
~ uneven skin tone and texture
~ light to medium hyperpigmentation and sun spots
~ fine lines and deeper wrinkles
~ acne scars
~ rosacea
~ stretch marks
~ applicable for every skin type (fitzpatrick I-VI)
To prep for your microneedling treatment, your Marigold provider will apply a topical numbing cream. While the numbing cream takes effect, she will adjust the settings on the micropen to your specific needs. There are varying depths for the needles to penetrate the skin. More extensive skin damage requires greater depth.
A topical skin product such as a medical-grade hyaluronic acid, or even growth factors will also be applied during your treatment to provide the slip needed for the pen to glide over your skin. The new, tiny microchannels in the skin will drink up these ingredients more effectively, providing your skin with exceptional results.
Following treatment, patients are advised to avoid direct sunlight. Some facial redness and slight bleeding is normal, and some patients also experience some light peeling. Patients liken the experience to recovering from a very mild sunburn. And it's advised to do repeat treatments - usually a series of 3, but this can vary from person to person.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels vary in depth and active ingredients. There are very aggressive peels and more superficial peels, and the type of peel you have depends on your skin care needs and goals. When applied to the skin, chemical peels stimulate rapid skin cell turnover by destroying the outer layer of skin. This prompts the top layer of skin to peel in sheets or slough off, depending on the type of peel used. While you may think of a raw, red-faced Samantha Jones from Sex and the City, don’t worry. While that makes for good television, it’s not reality.
Different chemical peels target different skin conditions. However, chemical peels in general help correct the following skin conditions and complaints:
~ acne and oily skin
~ acne scars
~ fine lines
~ medium to darker spots and hyperpigmentation (i.e. melasma)
~ sun damage
At Marigold Esthetique we offer a variety of medical-grade chemical peels for different skin types, skin tones, and skin health goals, including:
Following a chemical peel treatment, you are advised to avoid direct sunlight for the duration of the healing time (3-5 days). And of course a zinc-oxide based sunscreen is always a must! You should never peel or pull on peeling skin, as this can cause more skin damage and scarring to the healthy skin beneath. Repeated treatments are also recommended with peels to improve concerns and maintain results.
Schedule a complimentary skincare consultation to find out if Microneedling and/or Chemical Peels are best for you!
Whatever your skin concerns or goals, the first step towards professional skin care is to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our aestheticians. During a personalized consultation, we will evaluate your skin, review products you are using at home, discuss your goals, and go over your health history. Together, we will determine the best treatment options for your skin care needs and make recommendations. We’re dedicated to helping you look and feel more lovely and look forward to meeting you very soon.