In a recent poll, 55% of respondents reported feeling more confident when their skin looks its best. Meanwhile, 43% of respondents said they feel subconscious when their skin looks bad, and 22% said they avoided activities they enjoy during these times.
Caring for your skin is important not just for looking good but for feeling your best, too. Practicing healthy skincare habits is a type of self-care and something you can do on your own at home.
If you want to step up your skincare routine even further, consider incorporating professional facials and peels. These treatments are like the cherry on top of your regular skincare schedule.
But what is the difference between a facial and a peel, and if you can only choose one, which is best? We will answer these questions in this guide, so read on to find out.
What Are Facials?
Facials are non-invasive cosmetic procedures with various skincare goals, from cleansing and exfoliating to hydrating and plumping. They can cleanse the skin of impurities, restore softness and shine, and provide a relaxing experience.
Unlike some skin treatments, facials work on the outer layer of the skin. Called the epidermis, this layer of skin serves as a protective barrier against environmental toxins.
You can give yourself a facial at home or have one done by an esthetician. Medical facials using microdermabrasion, LED lights, or lasers are done in a dermatologist’s office and are more intensive, targeting deeper skin layers.
Types of Facials
The classic facial involves cleansing, steaming, exfoliating, and massaging the skin before applying replenishing masks, serums, and moisturizers. These facials are excellent additions to your monthly self-care routine.
A newer type of treatment, LED light therapy, is often combined with classic facials. Various wavelengths of light can offer added benefits for specific skin complaints like textured skin, acne, eczema, and rosacea.
Hydrafacials are newer services aimed at cleansing and hydrating thirsty, dull skin. The first step is to cleanse the skin of impurities and boost healing blood circulation. Then, the esthetician will apply hydrating serums to plump and moisturize the skin.
What Are Peels?
Peels are minimally invasive cosmetic procedures where a chemical is applied to the face to promote skin cell turnover. Skin cell turnover happens when the top layer of skin is removed, and a new layer of skin grows in its place.
Chemical peels vary in intensity. Light and medium peels offer more gentle exfoliation. More intensive ones can target deeper layers of facial skin to treat wrinkles, scars, and discoloration.
Lighter chemical peel products are available for at-home use and can be applied every few weeks. Deeper chemical peels are only available at med spas or dermatology clinics but offer more dramatic results and only require one treatment session.
Types of Skin Peels
Different peels consist of various chemicals, each designed for a specific skin care purpose. At Derm Aesthetics in Northern Kentucky, we offer the following chemical peels:
- The Perfect 10: This peel consists of salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, tartaric acid, mandelic acid, and resorcinol and is ideal for textured, uneven skin tones
- VI: This medical-grade peel penetrates deeper into the skin, benefiting acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, sun damage, melasma, and large pores
- Glycolic Acid: This peel only has one ingredient, glycolic acid, which penetrates deep into the skin for intense exfoliation and to address signs of aging
- TCA: This peel involves trichloroacetic acid (TCA) exfoliation of all three skin layers for long-lasting and versatile results
- Jessner: This peel consists of salicylic acid, lactic acid, and resorcinol and is perfect for acne scars and melasma or pigmentation of deeper skin tones
If you aren’t sure which peel is right for you, you can talk to your dermatologist about your skin concerns. As you can see, some chemicals are more suited to particular types of skin conditions.
The Difference Between Facials and Peels
Are you trying to decide between a facial and a peel? Both treatments can be part of a holistic skincare routine. But if you must choose one, the following factors can help.
The Benefits
Because they are more invasive, chemical peels benefit more severe skin concerns involving layers deeper than the epidermis. Peels can treat skin issues like deep wrinkles, pitted acne scars, and precancerous lesions.
Facials are for more superficial skin complaints. Large or clogged pores, dry or dull skin, and skin laxness can all benefit from one of the types of facials we mentioned above.
The Candidates
Chemical peels offer more significant results than facials, but they are not for everyone. If you fall into one of the following groups, you may not be a good candidate for a chemical peel:
- Anyone who has taken oral isotretinoin (i.e., Myorisan and Claravis) over the last six months
- Anyone with a history of keloid scarring
- People who are pregnant
- People who are prone to cold sore outbreaks
- People with deeper skin tones
- People with acne-prone or very sensitive skin
Comparatively, facials are far more gentle. They suit people of all skin types, tones, and textures. If you fall into one of the above groups, a facial is the perfect alternative for you.
The Frequency
At-home facials can be administered once or twice a week or more often, depending on your needs. Scheduling a professional facial at least once a month is an excellent supplement to your regular skincare routine.
Some lighter at-home peels are gentle enough to use on a weekly basis but not more often than that. Some professional peels are safe to get every four to six weeks, though others are only recommended for one-time use.
Perfect Your Skincare Routine With Derm Aesthetics
Facials are gentle skincare treatments designed to cleanse and revitalize. Chemical peels are more intensive, sloughing off the top layer of skin to make room for a newer, fresher layer to grow.
Are you searching for ‘facials and peels near me’? Derm Aesthetics MedSpa is Florence, KY’s choice for Botox, dermal fillers, laser hair removal, ultherapy, laser skin resurfacing, and more.
Request an appointment today to enjoy our rejuvenating facial and chemical peel services.
