You’ve probably heard of exfoliation, the process of removing the dead, damaged cells from your skin’s outermost layers. Maybe you use an exfoliating cleanser a few times per week, or perhaps you’ve had facials that include an exfoliating step.
Exfoliation is important for overall skin health and for preserving a more youthful, glowing look. When you’re in your 20s and early 30s, simple exfoliation options, like cleansers and the occasional mask, are often all you need. But as you begin to notice more fine lines, age spots, and general dullness, you may want to step up your exfoliation techniques.
Two particularly popular exfoliation procedures are chemical peels and microdermabrasion. Here’s a closer look at each of these exfoliating techniques.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a treatment in which your skin is physically abraded away. Your practitioner will use a specialized tool that blasts fine, sand-like particles at the surface of your skin. This wears away the dead, dull outer layers of your skin, revealing the new skin underneath.
Concerns Addressed
Microdermabrasion can be used to address a variety of skin concerns, including:
- Age spots and sun spots
- Fine lines and mild wrinkles
- Dull skin tone
- Uneven skin texture
- Acne scars and other mild scars
Microdermabrasion is a great skin texture treatment for patients who are just beginning to notice these skin concerns.
Benefits of Microdermabrasion
One key benefit of microdermabrasion is the lack of downtime after the procedure. Your skin will be a bit sensitive, but this will only last a few days. As long as you protect your skin from the sun and avoid harsh cleansers, the irritation should clear up quickly, leaving you with smoother skin and a brighter complexion.
Microdermabrasion is a pain-free procedure. No anesthetics or numbing agents are needed. You can just sit back and relax while your practitioner treats your skin. Depending on the size of the area you have treated, the procedure should take 30 minutes or less. So, you can easily schedule it during your lunch break.
Note that microdermabrasion is sometimes confused with dermabrasion, a more intensive procedure that abrades the skin more aggressively. While dermabrasion has its place, microdermabrasion is a much gentler, more approachable exfoliation option for women who want to improve their skin tone and texture.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are a somewhat more intensive exfoliating option. They’re still non-invasive, can be scheduled on a lunch break, and cause few to no side effects. However, chemical peels can be used to manage somewhat more significant skin concerns. They’re also more customizable than microdermabrasion.
Concerns Addressed
Many clients who visit Balance MedSpa for a chemical peel are dealing with multiple skin concerns. Luckily, a chemical peel can address several concerns at once, which makes it a solid place to start when you’re feeling generally unhappy with or overwhelmed by your skin’s appearance.
The most common skin concerns addressed with a chemical peel include:
- Exaggerated dullness: Your skin may look overly matte or even “dusty.” When you apply makeup, it settles into and enhances fine lines and flakiness.
- Fine lines and creases: You may not have dramatic wrinkles, but your skin looks papery and crinkled, especially around your eyes and mouth.
- Uneven texture: Your skin looks and feels rough overall, with some patches being worse than others.
- Sun Damage: From dark spots to new freckles, you can tell the sun is starting to take a toll.
Benefits of a Chemical Peel
When it comes time for a chemical peel, Orlando women are often surprised by how simple the procedure is. Your practitioner will apply the specially formulated chemical solution to your face. The solution will gently loosen and remove the dead and damaged outer layers of your skin. After a few minutes, your practitioner will rinse away the chemical solution, leaving you with a softer, smoother, more youthful look.
Chemical peels do cause redness and irritation that lasts for a few days. Your skin will need some time to recover and heal. But luckily, this healing process gives your skin a chance to produce new collagen, which leads to firmer skin and a more youthful complexion, overall.
At Balance MedSpa, we always evaluate your skin health and concerns to recommend the most suitable chemical peel. Some of our most popular options include:
- Jessner’s Peel: With a blend of lactic, citric, and salicylic acids, this classic blend is perfect for dull complexions and post-summer skin.
- Balance Peel: We combine three acids in this highly effective peel, which yields long-term improvements in skin tone and texture.
- Custom Peel: For patients with combination skin and unique concerns, we create a custom blend for targeted care.
With chemical peels and microdermabrasion, Orlando women can enjoy a more even skin tone and texture, even after a long, hot summer. Contact Balance MedSpa to schedule a consultation, and we’ll suggest a customized exfoliation plan to get your skin back on track.