Safety level and possible side-effects of chemical and mechanical exfoliating techniques:
Superficial chemical peels
| Mild (AHAs) |
Mild (Enzyme) |
Mild (Salicylic) |
Mild (TCA up to 35%) |
|
| Does it hurt | No, some tingling is possible | No | No, some tingling is possible | No, some tingling is possible |
| Safety | Safe | Safe | Safe | Relatively safe |
| Risks level | Low | Low | Low | Relatively low |
| Side effects | Crusting, redness | No | Crusting, redness | Crusting, redness |
| Skin condition after the procedure | Mild redness | Good condition | Mild redness | Redness |
| Make-up | No make-up for 1-2 days | Next day | No make-up for 1-2 days | No make-up for 2-7 days |
| Recovery time | Short | Short | Short | Generally short |
Medium chemical peels
| Medium peels (TCA 30%+) | Medium (Glycolic 50-70%) | Medium (Jessner’s) | |
| Does it hurt | No, mild discomfort is possible, tingling | No, mild discomfort and tingling is possible | No, mild discomfort and tingling is possible |
| Safety | Relatively safe | Relatively safe | Relatively safe |
| Risks level | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Side effects | Crusting, weeping, pain, cold sores, redness, blisters, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation | Crusting, weeping, pain, cold sores, redness, blisters, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation | Crusting, weeping, redness, infection, pain, cold sores, redness, blisters, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, scarring |
| Skin condition after the procedure | Crusting, weeping, redness | Crusting, weeping, redness | Crusting, weeping, redness |
| Make-up | No make-up for 14 days | No make-up for 14 days | No make-up for 14 days |
| Recovery time | Long | Long | Long |
Deep chemical peels and Abrasion
| Deep (Phenol) | Microdermabrasion | Dermabrasion | |
| Does it hurt | Yes, sometimes anesthesia is required | No | Yes, general or local anesthesia is required |
| Safety | Relatively safe | Safe | Relatively safe |
| Risks level | High | Low | High |
| Side effects | Crusting, weeping, pain, cold sores, redness, blisters, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, scarring | Hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, temporary discoloration | Swelling, infection, cold sores, redness, blisters, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, scarring |
| Skin condition after the procedure | Crusting, weeping, redness | Mild redness | Swelling, severe redness, weeping |
| Make-up | No make-up for 1-3 months | No make-up for 2-3 days | No make-up for 2-3 weeks |
| Recovery time | Long | Short | Long |
| More comparison: |
| Cost & sessions |
