Chemical peel and microneedling are different, but they’re both great options for improving your skin.
Chemical peels use acids to remove the top layer of skin, allowing new skin to grow in. The process can be done in a salon or at home, and it’s typically done with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. There are many types of chemical peels, but they all work by removing the damaged outer layer of skin and revealing new tissue underneath.
Microneedling uses tiny needles to puncture the skin and stimulate collagen production, which helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps reduce acne scarring and hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage. While microneedling can be done in a doctor’s office or spa, most people opt for a home kit that includes pre-sterilized needles that can be used once and thrown away after each use.
While both procedures offer similar results in terms of reducing signs of aging and sun damage, microneedling is less expensive than chemical peels because it doesn’t require any special equipment beyond your own hands (and potentially some disinfectant).
What is microneedling?
Microneedling is a new treatment available at the office of Allen Sapadin, MD. This treatment causes controlled damage to your skin, using a group of ultrafine needles, in order to generate a healing response.
Your skin has tremendous natural healing powers, which include the production of the collagen that keeps your skin tight, smooth, and young-looking. But, collagen production isn’t triggered unless your body perceives damage — and that’s where microneedling comes in.
What kind of skin problems can microneedling treat?
Microneedling is a very flexible treatment that can help with all of the following:
- Wrinkles
- Acne scars
- Stretch marks
- Loose or sagging skin
- Hyperpigmentation
- Sun damage
- Melasma
- Rosacea
- Texture issues like roughness
- Poor skin tone
Many patients choose microneedling for all-around skin rejuvenation because it helps in so many ways. If you’re unhappy with the way your skin is changing with age, microneedling might be the ideal treatment.
How does microneedling treatment feel?
First, your provider at Allen Sapadin, MD, cleans your face and applies a topical anesthetic. You’ll relax for 20-30 minutes while your face grows numb. Next, your care provider starts the needling process. You may feel a little vibration, but it doesn’t hurt thanks to the anesthetic. A whole-face treatment takes less than an hour.
What can I expect after my microneedling treatment?
After your microneedling treatment, your skin will be red, and you’ll have very small pinprick-size scabs. Don’t scrub your face because they’ll slough off within the week following your treatment.
Your skin’s healing response begins quickly after treatment, and you’ll continue to make new collagen for 3-6 months afterward. As your skin makes the new collagen, you’ll notice skin thickening, smoothing, and overall improvement.
How many microneedling treatments do I need?
It depends on what your goals are. Your care provider at the office of Allen Sapadin, MD, discusses your concerns and needs with you to help you decide the right treatment plan.
Most patients have several treatments, around a month apart. Once you have your desired results, you can maintain them by having a touchup treatment once or twice annually.
What are chemical peels?
Chemical peels are skin treatments that remove one or more layers from your skin, sloughing off damaged and dead skin. Chemical peels improve many issues, including:
- Sun damage
- Acne scars
- Poor skin tone
- Rough skin texture
- Surface lines and wrinkles
Your aesthetic services provider at the office of Allen Sapadin, MD, discusses your skin concerns with you to help you choose the right chemical peel.
What are the different kinds of chemical peels?
There are three general categories for chemical peels.
Light peel
A light skin peel like Alpha-hydroxy acid sloughs away your skin’s top layer. This kind of peel is a good way to improve skin tone and texture, and it may help with surface lines and wrinkles, too. You can have light peels as often as once a month.
Medium peel
A medium peel like trichloroacetic acid removes the uppermost two layers of skin. Removing the second layer of skin allows you to deal with deeper issues than a light peel can resolve. Medium peels are a good choice for mild-to-moderate wrinkles and acne scars, along with surface issues like tone and texture problems. You can have medium peels several times a year.
Deep peel
A deep chemical peel like phenol is a very strong skin peel, and it’s something that’s usually best for severe problems like major acne scars or precancerous lesions. Because deep chemical peels remove three skin layers, they can yield dramatic results. A deep peel is done while you’re under anesthesia, and it can last for years. You can generally have only one deep peel in your life.
You can combine or alternate peels with other treatments if needed. For example, you might benefit from both microneedling and a chemical peel.
How can I maintain results after my chemical peel?
A chemical peel can give you beautiful results, but maintaining your skin is up to you. Avoid sun exposure, and never pop pimples or pick at your face. Also, use quality products on your skin.
Your aesthetics care provider at the office of Allen Sapadin, MD, recommends products uniquely suited to your specific skin concerns. Dr. Sapadin offers Revision Skincare® products, professional-grade products available only from practitioners that can truly improve your skin.
Chemical Peel Versus Micro Needling
Pros and Cons
| Microneedling | Chemical Peels |
| Pros | |
| Can Be Done at Home. For less invasive microneedling (just enough to trigger your body’s healing response), you can use microneedling devices at home. However, if you’re looking to treat heavier skin problems, it’s best to have it done in a medical facility. Can Handle Sagging Skin and Severe Wrinkles. Chemical peels won’t treat skin concerns like deep wrinkles and sagging skin, but microneedling done by a professional can address these concerns. Good for All Skin Colors. Chemical peels on people with darker skin colors can result in permanent discoloration. Microneedling, on the other hand, doesn’t use heat or chemicals, so it’s good for people of all skin types. | Can Be Done at Home. There are skincare products that offer users the chance to do chemical peels at home. However, these do not penetrate the skin as much, as these are often used only to exfoliate dead skin cells. Treat Portions of Skin Evenly. If you have uneven skin pigmentation or textured skin, chemical peels can reduce its appearance. By getting rid of the outer layer of skin cells, it can reveal smoother skin with even skin pigmentation. Good for removing age spots, freckles, dark spots, and other permanent spots. One-Time Procedure. To treat heavier skin concerns with microneedling, you’ll need to schedule a session every six weeks. Deep chemical peels, on the other hand, won’t require repeat procedures, but you’ll need follow-up visits to your doctor to check if you are healing properly. |
| Cons | |
| Not Safe for People with Bacterial Infections. Those who have or are currently taking medication for skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis should not undergo microneedling. The bacteria can enter the microchannels and cause an infection. May Not Show Instant Results. For microneedling to have visible effects, you’ll need to schedule multiple microneedling sessions. It can take around 4 to 5 sessions, which means it might be months before you see visible results. | Medium and Deep Chemical Peels Require Longer Recovery Time. Even the deeper microneedling treatments only need a day or two at most to recover from their procedure. Medium and deep chemical peels require up to three weeks of recovery time as a deep layer of skin cells will be removed. More Expensive Than Microneedling. Microneedling can range from $300 to $500 per session. The cost depends on the peel you choose, but the average chemical peel can cost you around $675. |
Unlike other cosmetic procedures that can work together (like a combination of microneedling and PRP injections), microneedling and chemical peeling cannot be combined.
Best & Worst Candidates for Chemical Peels
If you’re interested in trying a chemical peel, take note that not everyone is a good candidate for the procedure. Here are some factors that can make a person a good, risky, or bad candidate.
| Good | Risky | Bad |
| Fair-skinned and light-haired patients – chemical peels are less likely to discolor if the patient has a lighter complexion. | Patients with darker skin – lighter chemical treatments may work, but it could cause permanent uneven skin tone. | Patients with loose skin and severe wrinkles – Chemical peels cannot totally remove these, and it might be more practical to consider other treatments, such as facelifts and fillers. People suffering from herpes – This can trigger flares after the treatment. People who have taken acne medication in the last six months. This can affect the healing process for your acne. |
Best & Worst Candidates for Microneedling
Microneedling also has criteria for good and bad candidates for the procedure. While it can treat certain types of skin concerns, those with a history of slow wound healing and bacterial infections are at risk.
| Good | Bad |
| Anyone with skin concerns. These can include fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin texture, loose skin, stretch marks, acne scars, sun damage, other types of scarring | People with bacterial skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis. This also includes people with active acne and people who are healing from acne. The bacteria can enter the microchannels and cause infection. |