Though chemical peels are used by many to help improve their skin's appearance, they do have many limitations both in prospective results and also in the risks of side effects. Chemical peels are only effective on superficial levels of the skin and are not used to treat deep tissue wrinkles and embedded malformations. The chemicals used for treatment can be highly toxic and are restricted for some patients. Fortunately, there are similar treatments that are available for consideration.
Fraxel Laser Resurfacing
Fraxel laser is considered a common alternative treatment to chemical peels. It is based on the same principle as chemical peels, which involves the aided removal of superficial skin allowing growth of new cells. During this procedure, laser is used to induce controlled damage to the treatment area in the dermis without affecting the epidermal layer. This process promotes dermal regeneration and dislodges the old surface. Fraxel laser has a more focused target selection quality than chemical peels so that not all of the facial area will be affected, reducing its invasiveness. Recovery after treatment is also minimal. Because the epidermal tissue is not affected during treatment, the patient's outward appearance will not change after treatment. Treated areas may experience some minor discomfort similar to sun burns, but normal life can carry on immediately post procedure. Laser induced peelings will generally take longer to occur than in chemical peels, and results will be noticeable in about 2 or 3 months after treatment.
Microdermabrasion
Like chemical peels, microdermabrasion treats skin irregularities on the superficial level, such as surface fine lines, discoloration and scarring. The difference is in the means by which surface cells are removed. Unlike chemical peels, microdermabrasion uses microscopic crystals to physically sand off the epidermal irregularities and defective tissues, allowing deeper leveled cells to surface. Because this process does not rely on the skin's own healing ability, the procedure is not used to stimulate cellular regeneration. Similar to light chemical peels, microdermabrasion procedures usually take 30 minutes to complete, and 6 to 8 treatments may be required to achieve more desirable results. Recovering from microdermabrasion treatments is relatively quick. Minor side effects from the procedure generally disappear within the first hour and normal life can be resumed. In this regard, the potential risks are minor, as for light peels.
Facelift
A facelift or rhytidectomy is the most aggressive type of treatment alternative to chemical peels. This procedure targets coarse deep wrinkles and sagging skin areas which are not treated by chemical peels. It involves the surgical removal of undesirable surface tissues and is much more invasive in nature. Incisions are made at the hairlines, excess skin tissue is removed and surface skin is redraped over the patient's face so that the resulting skin is tighter and more youthful. Facelifts have much higher potential for adverse effects than chemical peels. Bruising, swelling and pain are common after surgery, and severe scarring and facial nerve damage may occur. Some patients experience numbness on the face for several months after the procedure. Recovery after facelifts can take up to 3 weeks and results
