Quiz: What's the Best Way to Brighten Your Skin?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, chemical peels were the most popular procedure in 2019 with over 1.4 million being performed. Microdermabrasions were next with 740,000 performed. 

Some people with acne find that chemical peeling can help keep their skin clear.

Compared with dermabrasion, microdermabrasion is a gentler abrasive process that "polishes" the skin, treating problems like sun damage, acne scarring, large pores, and even blackheads.

Most people have five to 12 treatments, each two or three weeks apart. Each visit can be an hour or less, usually about 30 minutes

Chemical peels -- which use a liquid to remove the skin’s upper layers -- can work well on discoloration, fine lines, and freckles. Dermabrasion, which uses a tool like a sander, can help deep wrinkles and scars. Both treatments can be done on part or all of the face, lightly or more deeply, affecting how long they take and the discomfort they cause.

A chemical peel costs about $644, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgery. A microdermabrasion session costs about $136. Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment, a light therapy that can improve skin color and texture, averages more than $406 per procedure. <2019 average pricing>

This superficial chemical treatment -- one that doesn't touch deep skin -- can take as little as 10-15 minutes. It can be done on people as young as their mid-20s to fight the first signs of aging.

A facelift is better for overall skin sagging. But wrinkles around the eyes and lips -- caused by the sun -- respond best to laser resurfacing.

You might do both for overall improvement to your face.

Home peels can be safe when used properly, but in some people can lead to skin reactions. They are unlikely to work as well as the ones a doctor provides.

You should check with your dermatologist about home treatments, including peels and microdermabrasion kits, to make sure that whatever you choose is reliable and safe for you, given your medical history and other treatments you are using.

Chemical peeling isn't just for your face. It can be used on just about any sun-damaged skin. A peel removes skin cells and reduces age spots, irregular coloring, rough skin, and freckles. It's also good for fine lines, especially near the eyes and mouth. Chemicals wouldn't be used on your eyes or lips.

Deep chemical peeling can safely be done just once. Although it can improve many signs of aging, it is a serious procedure that involves pretreatment, a sedative and anesthetic, bandaging afterward, and a healing period of two or more weeks. Follow-up care requires visits to the dermatologist, soaking the skin, using medicines and ointments, and avoiding the sun.

If you have a dark complexion, your skin is more likely to become discolored by deep chemical peeling. You also are more likely to develop noticeable scars.

In particular, a retinoid drug called isotretinoin can delay healing and cause scarring. You must wait one year after using retinoids before you get a chemical peel or dermabrasion.

Your dermatologist will need to take a complete medical history to be sure you get the best results.

Among various types of laser therapy, one called non-ablative laser rejuvenation -- the kind that leaves the top layer of skin intact and targets the skin underneath -- works well for early signs of aging.

Laser/light rejuvenation -- which uses light to treat skin defects -- can work on many signs of aging and can often be completed in less than an hour.

With good skin care, including sun protection, improvements from dermabrasion can last 10 years or more. But it’s possible that new wrinkles will arise as the skin ages. So always remove your makeup at night, clean your face gently every day, and use sunscreen even if you're outside for just a short time.