Chemical Peels versus Laser Skin Treatments

Dr. Irwin
April 13, 2012

Both lasers and peels rejuvenate and refresh your skin, but patients are often confused about which treatment is best for them. So which treatment is right for you?

Chemical peels are a good option if you are looking for a quick (and relatively inexpensive) way to refresh your complexion. Peels exfoliate the dead skin cells and stimulate superficial new skin growth. If you have very fine lines, you will benefit from a mild peel, but if you have more severe skin issues, you will need a stronger peel.  Deeper chemical peels have become less popular because lasers often do a better job with a more predictable result.

On the other hand, laser treatments can also provide excellent skin resurfacing results, but often come with more downtime (and are a bigger investment). Cosmetic lasers target specific problems.

For example, if you have sun damage, Fraxel treatments will get rid of your brown spots, or if you have red, blotchy pigmentation, IPL treatments are what you need. Generally, it takes a series of laser treatments over a few months before you see the final results.

 

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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