Everyone naturally wants youthful, glowing, and beautiful skin. This can be achieved by following beauty routines, investing in skincare products, planning a diet, and undergoing various dermatological and cosmetic procedures.
In Nepal, long-lasting exposure to the sun, acne scars resulting in dryness, and mainly an increase in pollution are negatively affecting the skin, making it dull and damaged. Luckily, there is an option available to repair the dull and damaged skin.
Facial and chemical peels can help you rejuvenate your skin, restore its youthfulness, and provide you with desired results when used effectively. Now, let us talk about the difference between them.
What is Facial?
Facial is a treatment for the face, starting with cleansing, moisturizing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and massaging. It may extend to the neck. It is performed by a licensed therapist, the treatment is tailored to your specific skin concerns and needs.
Common Types of Facials
- Classic Facial: Involves deep cleansing, exfoliation, and hydration.
- Anti-Aging Facial: Focuses on reducing fine lines and boosting collagen.
- Acne Facial: Targets breakouts and helps prevent future blemishes.
- Hydrating Facial: Replenishes moisture and soothes dry skin.
- Brightening Facial: Aims to reduce pigmentation and improve radiance.
Benefits of Facial
Facial is not just a moment of relaxation – it plays a key role in maintaining healthy, glowing, and clear skin. Whether you’re dealing with dryness, acne, dullness, or simply want to pamper yourself, regular facials can provide noticeable improvements over time. Below are some of the key benefits:
1. Deep cleansing
It helps remove all the dirt, oil, and impurities that are deep–seated into our pores, which regular skin cleaners cannot do. Additionally, bacteria produced by the oil and grime are eliminated, giving you skin that glows and is healthy.
2. Improves Blood circulation
Another benefit is that it improves blood circulation and supports the renewal of skin cells by bringing fresh blood and oxygen to the surface. It also decreases puffiness and fluid buildup that is caused from our lymphatic system.
3. Helps in anti-aging
A facial is not just about pampering yourself – it can also offer anti-aging benefits. Antioxidant-rich products are used during the treatment, which help minimize damage caused by free radicals, which are responsible for premature aging.
4. Reduces wrinkles
One of the main benefits of having a facial is that it helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by boosting collagen production, improving skin elasticity, and deeply hydrating the skin. Regular facial smooths fine lines, promotes firmer skin, and leaves you with rejuvenated skin.
Learn More: Hydrafacial vs Regular Facial
What is Chemical Peel?
Chemical Peel is a restorative skin treatment designed to remove the old and damaged layers of skin on the face, neck, or hands and replace them with smoother, more youthful-looking skin. Performed by a licensed aesthetician, the treatment and products are carefully tailored to your skin type and needs.
During the treatment, the aesthetician applies a chemical solution to your skin to exfoliate the top layers of skin that may be old and damaged, and stimulate new cell growth. As a result, healthier, rejuvenated skin replaces the old layer, improving texture, tone, and overall appearance.
Common Types of Chemical Peels
- Light (Superficial) Peel: Uses mild acids like alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) to gently exfoliate.
- Medium Peel: Often involves trichloroacetic acid (TCA) to reach deeper layers of the skin.
- Deep Peel: Uses stronger acids like phenol to penetrate the deepest layers of the skin, offering dramatic results.
Benefits of Chemical Peel
A chemical peel is a potent healthcare procedure that exfoliates the skin using a chemical solution, exposing smoother, younger skin underneath. It has rehabilitative as well as cosmetic benefits.
1. Improves Skin Texture and Tone
Chemical peels eliminate dead cells and visible imperfections by gently exfoliating the skin’s outermost layers. Over time, this procedure assists in reducing dullness and smoothing out rough areas, giving the skin a brighter, more even tone and a softer, more refined texture.
2. Stimulating and boosting new collagen
Chemical peels stimulate the body’s natural healing process by prompting the skin to shed old, damaged layers. The creation of collagen and elastin, two essential proteins that maintain firm, plump, and youthful skin, is stimulated by this process. Over time, this leads to improved elasticity and a reduction in fine lines and early signs of aging.
3. Clearing up breakouts
Through pore cleaning, oil reduction, and the removal of dead skin cell accumulation that can trigger breakouts, chemical peels aid in the management of acne. They are a great choice for people with acne-prone or clogged skin because they also contain substances that reduce inflammation and stop acne in the future.
4. Addressing Hyperpigmentation
Uneven pigmentation can make the skin appear older and uneven, which can be caused by sun damage, acne scars, or hormonal fluctuations. Chemical peels speed up cell turnover, bringing new skin cells with uniform pigmentation to the surface. This promotes a cleaner, more balanced skin by eliminating dark spots, melasma, and discoloration.
Facials vs. Chemical Peels: Key Differences
1. Intensity & Method
- Facials: Gentle, non-invasive treatments involving cleansing, exfoliation, hydration, and massage.
- Chemical Peels: Use acids to remove layers of skin, promoting deep exfoliation and cell turnover.
2. Skin Concerns Addressed
- Facials: Ideal for general skin maintenance, hydration, mild acne, dullness, and relaxation.
- Chemical Peels: Target deeper issues like acne scars, wrinkles, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone.
3. Suitable Skin Types
- Facials: Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
- Chemical Peels: Best for normal to resilient skin; may not be ideal for very sensitive skin without professional guidance.
4. Results
- Facials: Immediate glow, relaxation, and hydration.
- Chemical Peels: Longer-lasting, more noticeable results, such as smoother texture and reduced discoloration.
5. Downtime
- Facials: Minimal to no downtime.
- Chemical Peels: May involve redness, peeling, and a few days of recovery depending on peel strength.
6. Frequency
- Facials: Can be done regularly (every 4–6 weeks).
- Chemical Peels: Recommended less frequently (every few months), based on peel type and skin needs.
7. Relaxation Factor
- Facials: Often include a soothing experience with massage and aromatherapy.
- Chemical Peels: More clinical, with a focus on results rather than relaxation.
8. Cost
- Facials: Generally more affordable and accessible.
- Chemical Peels: Can be more expensive, especially medium to deep peels.
Conclusion
Both facials and chemical peels offer valuable benefits for your skin, but the right choice depends on your individual needs, goals, and skin type. Facials are ideal for regular maintenance, hydration, and a relaxing experience with minimal risk or downtime. In contrast, chemical peels provide deeper, more noticeable improvements for specific skin concerns like scars, wrinkles, and pigmentation, though they may require more recovery time.
For the best results, it’s always recommended to consult with a skincare professional who can guide you toward the treatment that aligns with your skin’s condition and your personal preferences. Whether you choose a facial, a chemical peel, or a combination of both, consistent care and professional advice are key to achieving healthy, glowing skin.
FAQ’S
1. Can you do a facial and chemical peel at the same time?
Yes, but it depends on your skin type and the strength of the peel. Always consult a skincare professional first.
2. Who cannot use a chemical peel?
People with sensitive skin, active infections, open wounds, or certain skin conditions (like eczema or rosacea) should avoid chemical peels.
3. Can you do a facial and chemical peel at the same time?
Yes, but only under professional guidance to avoid irritation or over-exfoliation.