Chemical peels and microneedling are both great treatments for helping your skin look younger. They are both quick and easy, but they do have their differences.
There are two main types of chemical peels: superficial and deep. Superficial peels remove the outermost layer of skin, while deep peels remove more layers from the epidermis. Microneedling is a non-invasive procedure that involves using a tool (or pen) with multiple needles to create small holes in your skin to boost collagen production and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Chemical peels can be done anywhere on the body, including the face, neck, chest or hands. Microneedling is best suited for use on the face because it causes less damage than other areas of the body. Both procedures can be done at home with kits purchased online or in stores; however, if you have sensitive skin or have had previous problems with acne or scarring after using these products or services you should consult with your dermatologist first before trying them out yourself!
In this post, we’ll also discuss microneedling vs chemical peel cost and how to combine microneedling and chemical peel.
What To Know About Chemical Peel Vs Microneedling
Two fairly recent skin treatments are gaining popularity for both men and women: microneedling and chemical peels. Both procedures require no downtime and are fairly safe when done by a medical professional. However, not everyone may be qualified for these treatments, so it’s important for patients to know the differences between the two when choosing which procedure to try for their skin type.
So which is better for you? Microneedling caters to any skin color, and is great for treating sagging skin and severe wrinkles, while chemical peels work better on fair-skinned patients, and effectively removes age spots, dark spots, and freckles, among other skin spots. Both microneedling and chemical peels can be done at home, but you can always have these professionally done in dermatology clinics, especially if you feel that it’s safer and better overall.
Microneedling vs. Chemical Peel
Microneedling and chemical peels are two cosmetic procedures available in most aesthetic clinics. Both are designed to treat certain skin issues that can be difficult to remove with home remedies and DIY beauty tools available to everyday users.
How Microneedling Works
Microneedling – sometimes called collagen induction therapy by other clinics – is the process of using thin needles to puncture the skin. These microtears trigger the body’s natural healing process for skin trauma, resulting in elastin and collagen production. These substances repair the damaged layers of skin, getting rid of the broken skin tissue and replacing it with younger, healthier skin tissue.
Microneedling with the shortest possible needle length is enough to trigger the production of collagen and elastin. Microneedling treatment done with longer needles, on the other hand, go deeper into the layers of the skin to repair more rooted issues like wrinkles and sun damage. No downtime is necessary for minor microneedling sessions, but those who use longer needles may take more time to recover from their sensitive skin. After several sessions, you can see visibly youthful, healthy skin.
How Chemical Peels Treat Your Skin
Chemical peel treatments are a skin-resurfacing procedure that use a variety of chemical solutions to treat different types of skin issues.The procedure starts with cleaning your skin thoroughly and protecting your eye area.Then, a medical professional applies a numbing cream or anesthetic, especially if you’re opting for a medium or deep peel. Patients may also be sedated for a deep peel. A chemical solution consisting of acids and other active ingredients are applied to the skin, which will remove its top layer, getting rid of the damaged skin cells in the process. This will sting, but new skin will then grow in its place.
Peels can be light, medium, or deep, depending on what area of concern you’re trying to treat:
- Light Chemical Peel – Also known as superficial peels, this removes the outer layer of your skin known as the epidermis. Good for wrinkles, acne, and uneven skin tones.
- Medium Chemical Peel – Removes the epidermis plus the upper portion of your middle layer (the dermis). This is for deeper wrinkles and acne scars.
- Deep Chemical Peel – Removes the skin cells deeper into the epidermis. Recommended for even deeper wrinkles, scars, and precancerous growths.
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. |
Microneedling and chemical peels offer a way to shed old skin cells and replace them with newer, younger-looking skin cells. While both procedures don’t answer every skin concern, you can always go for the treatment that addresses your condition more effectively. Consult with a dermatologist or medical professional which procedure among the two is better for you.
Microneedling Vs Chemical Peel Cost
The price of a chemical peel for cosmetic purposes is directly related to the type of peel chosen. Due to this, there is a wide price variation possible. The average cost of a chemical peel is around $4,000, but it can range from $2,000 to $8,000 in some cases.
How To Combine Microneedling And Chemical Peel
If you want to improve your skin from the inside out, try combining chemical peels with microneedling. We suggest you start with a chemical peel to remove the outermost layer of skin. After waiting 4-6 weeks, you can begin microneedling treatments to stimulate collagen production in the skin’s dermis.
After the top layers of dead skin have been removed, microneedling can penetrate deeper and more effectively. To get the best results, we might suggest scheduling multiple microneedling sessions.