TCA Peels or Dermabrasion – Which is Right for You?
We all want to look our very best, but deciding the right way to do that is not easy. TCA chemical peels and dermabrasion are just two ways men and women try to regain their youthful looks. On the surface, these to procedures seem similar however there are important differences clients should be aware of before choosing the procedure for them.
Dermabrasion is a mechanical peel that uses crystals and suction to exfoliate the skin. A small, rapidly spinning wheel with a fine grain surface – almost like sandpaper – is moved across the face to remove age spots, blemishes and scars. Usually dermabrasion is only used on problem spots on the face, rather than the entire face. If you want to give a fresh look to your entire face, dermabrasion is not the right choice.
Chemical peels, including TCA peels, use chemicals to exfoliate the face and remove dead skin cells. The peel will be applied to the face, allowed to reach the appropriate depth and then neutralized. The client’s face will begin to peel for four to seven days after the chemical peel is applied. Once the peeling is complete, the client will be left with brand new, beautifully refreshed skin. For clients who want a fresh look for their entire face, the
are the perfect choice.
Both dermabrasion and TCA peels are used to fix superficial problems on the face, including acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles and large pores. Since both procedures resurface the skin, it is vital to choose only one. Having both a chemical peel and dermabrasion can cause serious scarring.
One of the biggest advantages of choosing chemical peels is they allow the client to decide how strong of treatment he or she will receive. Dermabrasion has only one strength, but chemical peels come in light, medium and deep strengths. These different chemical peel depths allow the client to target specific problems on his or her face. With only one depth, the client is left to hope it is enough to solve the problem without the treatment going too deep.
The effectiveness of dermabrasion and chemical peels differs greatly. Dermabrasion will not show results until after six to twelve sessions. Each of these sessions must occur at least two weeks apart or the client may experience scarring. The dermabrasion sessions must be repeated every two to three months for maximum effectiveness. Medium chemical peels can be applied every few months and their effects may last up to one year.
Dermabrasion and TCA peels may seem similar, but there are important differences between the two procedures. Many chemical peels use natural ingredients to remove dead skin from the entire face, while dermabrasion uses a sandpaper-like substance to target specific problem spots. Chemical peels can remain effective much longer than dermabrasion and allow clients to choose the perfect peel depth to solve their skin woes. When looking at the benefits of chemical peels and dermabrasion, the choice to have a chemical peels is made simple!

