How is Dermaplaning Facial Different From A Chemical Peel

What is Dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is a Facial treatment in which dead skin cells and peach fuzz are scraped off the surface of the skin with a scalpel with instant results.

While dermaplaning removes fine facial hairs, the procedure differs from shaving in terms of the tools used, the amount of skin removed, and the person performing the procedure.

Dermaplaning treatment involves the use of a hand-held instrument called a dermatome to address deep acne scars.

Resembling an electric razor, the dermatome features an oscillating blade that moves back and forth, effectively “skimming” off the top layer of your skin surrounding facial craters or other defects to better the appearance of the skin.

Related Post: Does Dermaplaning Facial Cause Acne Breakouts

What Skin Type is Dermaplaning Best For?

Dermaplaning is beneficial for virtually all skin types, offering more than just the removal of peach fuzz and the top layer of dead skin cells.

It can effectively diminish the visibility of acne scars, deep wrinkles, rough skin, and dry skin, as well as fix pigmentation issues and age spots, leaving you with brighter skin and a smooth finish.

If you have a specific skin condition such as fine lines, oily skin, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, or simply desire facial hair removal, a dermaplane treatment is likely a suitable option for you and will give you optimal results.

Importantly, dermaplaning is generally considered safe for most individuals, including those with sensitive skin, rosacea, and even pregnant women as it is a non-invasive procedure.

Related Post: 15 Best Spa Facials & Facial Treatments For Acne-Prone Skin

What is a Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel is a skincare treatment that involves applying a chemical solution to the skin to exfoliate and remove old, dead cells.

This process reveals a new layer of skin beneath, which is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin surface as new skin cells are revealed for a smoother surface and fresh skin.

Typically, a chemical peel is a method of exfoliation that aims to enhance the texture of the skin, minimize the appearance of fine lines, and address various skin concerns, including dark spots, acne scars, and uneven skin tone.

By promoting the shedding of the top layer of the skin, different types of chemical peels can also aid in better absorption of skincare products, making them more effective.

The type of peel used and the strength of the peel will vary, tailored to address individual skin types and specific skin issues therefore offering the best results for your aesthetic goals.

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What Skin Type Is a Chemical Peel Treatment Best For?

Identifying your skin type and specific concerns will guide you to the proper chemical peel.

Light peels with glycolic or lactic acid can gently renew your skin’s surface with minimal downtime.

Salicylic acid peels target oily and acne-prone areas, seeking to clarify and refine pores. For those like me with more persistent issues such as moderate lines, hyperpigmentation, or deeper acne scars, medium depth peel to deep peels using trichloroacetic acid can reach into the skin’s deeper layers for a more pronounced rejuvenation.

My dermatologist advised me that the intensity of the peel should match both the condition being treated and my skin’s natural resilience to ensure safety and achieve the most flattering outcome and immediate results.

How is Dermaplaning Different from a Chemical Peel?

Dermaplaning and chemical peels both target the goal of vibrant, smooth skin yet follow distinct maps to get there.

With dermaplaning, you’re taking a physical approach, using a surgical blade to carefully remove the top layer of skin that is dulling dead cells and that soft vellus hair, often called peach fuzz.

It’s the best way to scrape away the old, and even helps with collagen production.

Chemical peels, on the other hand, lead you down a more complex path.

They’re exfoliation treatments that are all about chemical solutions and a deeper peel, like glycolic or salicylic acid, that break down and removes the upper stratum of my skin (deeper layers of the skin).

Diving deeper into the skin’s surface, chemical peels can accelerate cell turnover and are a better treatment plan for skin conditions like active acne, dark spots, and fine lines.

The crossroads between these forms of exfoliation are clear: physical versus chemical—a blade versus a solution—and their impact and final results.

Dermaplaning grants you immediate smoothness by banishing fuzz and surface debris, whereas chemical peels hunker down for a deeper level of exfoliation, aiming to rejuvenate and repair the skin on a more deep exfoliation.

From a practical standpoint, understanding these main junctures between the two helps me align my skin’s needs with the most suitable route to glowing results.

What is Physical Exfoliation?

I’ve been on a quest to unlock the secret to radiant skin, and I’ve learned one method that stands out is physical exfoliation.

This is all about taking a tool, like an exfoliating mitt or a brush, and manually scrubbing away those pesky dead cells that cling to the surface of my skin and give the appearance of smoother skin.

It’s almost like clearing out the old to make way for the new. I’ve found that it’s not just about sloughing off dry patches but invigorating my skin, giving it a new kind of freshness each time I exfoliate.

Types of Physical Exfoliants

Physical exfoliants come in several forms, each designed to slough away dead skin cells and reveal fresh, more vibrant skin underneath.

I’ve come across many cosmetic treatments while exploring ways to smooth my skin’s texture. 

• Scrubs: These have small, gritty particles like sugar, salt, or jojoba beads that physically buff away the surface layer of dead skin when massaged into the face or body.
• Brushes: Manual face or body brushes can be used to exfoliate. Electric facial brushes are an upgrade, providing a deeper cleanse with oscillating, spinning, or sonic technology.
• Sponges and Cloths: Products like konjac sponges or microfiber cloths mildly exfoliate when used to wash the skin, suitable for those who prefer gentler alternatives.
• Microdermabrasion Kits: At-home kits mimic the professional treatment, using fine crystals or a diamond tip to exfoliate the skin.
• Dermaplaning: This in-office treatment involves a medical-grade scalpel, gliding over the skin to remove the very top layers, including fine facial hair known as peach fuzz.

Each method has its place in skincare routines, but for me, dermaplaning has a unique appeal for its precision and the way it leaves my skin looking particularly smooth and ready to absorb skincare products.

Dermaplaning as a Physical Exfoliant

I’ve tried my fair share of scrubs and exfoliating tools, but dermaplaning?

Now, that’s a game-changer. It’s the kind of exfoliation that feels deeply satisfying because it’s immediate; you can see and feel the difference in your final result right there.

And the smoothness? Let’s just say makeup glides on like a dream afterward.

There’s also this deeply gratifying sense that my skin can finally breathe, undisturbed by the fine hairs and rough layer that had been gatekeeping serums and moisturizers from sinking in as effectively as they could.

Dermaplaning is that professional-grade, physical buff and polish that revitalizes the face and creates a luminous canvas for anything I choose to apply next, plus there is no recovery time needed.

Related Post: Benefits of A Dermaplane Facial (Dermaplaning Effects On Your Skin)

What is Chemical Exfoliation?

Chemical exfoliation stands out from dermplaning because it is a method where active ingredients within a solution work to dissolve and clear away dead skin cells from the surface of your skin.

This approach goes beyond mere surface cleaning; it stimulates new skin cell production beneath, leading to an increase in cell turnover.

Ingredients typically found in these skin peels include alpha hydroxy acids (AHA’s) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA’s), among others, each with specific properties that target various skin concerns.

As these chemicals break down the bonds holding older, dull cells to the skin’s surface, they reveal fresher, younger-looking skin underneath.

The result? A smoother, clearer, and more radiant complexion that feels rejuvenated and renewed.

Types of Chemical Exfoliants

Chemical exfoliants play a key role in skincare routines tailored for brighter, smoother, and more youthful-looking skin.

These active compounds fall under two primary categories: alpha hydroxy acids (AHA’s) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA’s), each serving distinct purposes.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s) 

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s) are water-soluble acids extracted from fruits or milk.

Glycolic acid, one of the most common AHA’s, derived from sugar cane, works wonders on the skin’s surface, loosening the bonds that cling dead cells together.

This promotes exfoliation and reveals fresher, revitalized skin underneath. Lactic acid, another AHA, offers milder exfoliation, making it ideal for sensitive skin types or those new to acid-based skincare as it is a more gentle to medium peel.

Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA’s)

Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA’s), with salicylic acid as a standout, they are stronger peels and are oil-soluble, allowing them to penetrate deep into pores to dissolve sebum and exfoliate dead skin cells.

Good candidates for these deep chemical peels are people with blackheads and acne due to their ability to reach into the pore lining and perform a thorough cleanse.

Both AHA’s and BHA’s encourage cell turnover, but they target different skin concerns.

AHA’s tackle the appearance of fine lines, uneven skin tone, and texture, while BHA’s focus more on deep pore cleansing and reducing blemishes.

Using these exfoliants can lead to visibly brighter, clearer, and more even-toned skin.

Chemical Peel as a Chemical Exfoliant

I appreciate the tailored approach of a chemical peel.

It allows me to select a formula that aligns with my specific skin worries. Light peels with glycolic acid can tackle dull skin and minor pigmentation, while salicylic acid works wonders on my persistent acne.

For a more profound effect, trichloroacetic acid dives deeper, improving the look of moderate lines and sun damage—something my sunscreen habit hasn’t fully shielded me from. It’s a relief to have a treatment that adapts with me, reflecting my skin’s ongoing journey.

Can You Combine Dermaplaning and a Chemical Peel?

I’ve discovered that using a chemical peel in combination of dermaplaning can pack a powerful punch for exfoliation.

This dynamic duo work well together when you first remove the peach fuzz and dead skin with the precise stroke of a scalpel during dermaplaning.

After that, the chemical peel goes to work, diving deeper into the skin to help shed the lingering layers of dead cells and promote rejuvenation.

The result is not just cleaner skin but also an enhanced ability for skincare products to penetrate effectively.

However, while the combination sounds like a clear win, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.

You have to consider your skin’s sensitivity, as this two-step routine can be quite intense, and not everyone’s skin can handle the double exfoliation.

So, it’s essential to consult a professional who can assess whether your skin can take this two-tier approach.

Otherwise, you might experience irritation or redness.

As for me, I keep this powerful pairing for occasions when my skin needs a serious reset, ensuring I get that extra boost for a radiant, smooth canvas.