Skin treatments aren't just about your skin's health, they're also a great way of relaxing and pampering yourself. Two of the most common skin treatments are microdermabrasion and chemical peels.

Each one of these skin treatments is used to help treat different skin problems. The procedure you decide to use will usually depend on your particular skin issue and your personal expectations. Here's a look at what makes these procedures different.

Microdermabrasion for Skin Renewal

This procedure can be performed in a doctor's office, in a day spa, or in a salon. It does not require anesthesia. The main object of microdermabrasion is to provide a deep exfoliation for skin renewal.

However, it is only a cosmetic procedure used to treat specific skin issues such as fine lines and blemishes. Microdermabrasion can be done anywhere on the body, not just the face. It is a quick process (only 20-30 minutes) and is fairly painless.

The results are smoother, younger looking skin. If you want to maintain these results you'll need to use a natural skin treatment. This can include a natural product or a natural ingredient that you find at home, such as sugar, salt or crushed grape seeds.

After having undergone a microdermabrasion treatment, you should use a sunscreen to protect your newly exposed skin. This type of treatment is not recommended for people who have sensitive skin because it might cause rashes or irritation. You should also be careful if you have mature skin.

Chemical Peels: A popular Resurfacing Technique

Chemical peels, no matter how intense, should always be performed by a medical professional. A dermatologist is most often the professional of choice for this type of skin treatment. He or she will use different types of chemicals to treat your skin. This will depend on the severity of your skin condition.

Light chemical peels are normally done using AHAs such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, or fruit acids. This type of peel is a good way of treating superficial problems such as fine lines, uneven skin tone, dry areas, and even acne. It can cause some stinging but does not require anesthesia.

Medium and deep peels, however, will definitely require anesthesia and pain medication. Medium peels are generally done with TCA (Trichloroacetic acid) and can be used to treat the same types of skin problems as AHAs.

Deep peels are done with phenol. This type of peel will require a person to withstand a longer recovery time. The normal progression of this type of treatment begins with scabs that will form and later fall off revealing a lighter looking skin.

A phenol peel will make the skin lose its ability to produce melanin. Therefore, it is important to use a good sunblock for the rest of your life.