What’s the Difference Between Mechanical and Chemical Exfoliation?

At Her Secret MedSpa, we offer several treatments that can improve the tone, texture, and overall appearance of your skin. Our providers are experts in assessing your skin and determining what kind of treatment is most likely to give you the most bang for your buck.

Two types of exfoliation treatments are available to refresh your skin: mechanical and chemical. In this post, we explain the differences.

Fresh new cells

One of the amazing things about your skin is that it’s constantly rejuvenating itself. Fresh, new cells are always forming beneath the surface of your skin. As the outer layer of cells ages, it sloughs off, revealing the new, undamaged cells. 

Over time, though, the production and quality of the new cells decline. The older cells take longer to shed, which can leave your skin looking dull and uneven. 

Exfoliation is the process of removing those dead cells so the new cells are visible. After a facial that involves exfoliation, your skin looks fresher, more evenly toned, and generally more youthful.

Mechanical exfoliation

Mechanical exfoliation involves rubbing something over your skin to remove the damaged and dead cells. It can be achieved with a scrub, like a salt or sugar scrub, or through a more involved process like microdermabrasion or dermaplaning. 

At Her Secret MedSpa, we offer diamond microdermabrasion — the most advanced technology available. There are many mechanical exfoliation products available for home use, too, but we encourage you to talk to our staff about your specific skin needs. Some products can damage your skin. 

We can help you decide both what kind of product is best suited for your unique needs as well as how often you should exfoliate at home. 

Chemical exfoliation

As you’ve probably guessed from the name, chemical exfoliation removes the damaged and dead cells on the surface of your skin with the use of chemicals, often various types of acids. One of the benefits of chemical peels compared to mechanical exfoliation is that chemicals can go deeper, revealing the freshest, newest skin cells. 

Depending on your needs, we can create a solution that ranges from very mild, for sensitive skin or for skin that doesn’t need a deep exfoliation, to a solution that goes deeper and addresses issues such as wrinkles and sunspots or age spots. 

A word of caution

It’s possible to over-exfoliate — rather than encouraging your skin to continue rejuvenating, you can cause damage. Using the best products for your skin, at the interval most beneficial for your skin is critically important in the process of keeping your skin beautiful and healthy. 

If you’ve been exfoliating at home, and you’re not sure you’re using the most appropriate product or how often you should be using it, book an appointment with us. In addition to providing expert treatments, we’re happy to provide guidance based on your specific situation.

We generally recommend a professional facial at least once a quarter. You can request an appointment online, or you’re welcome to call us at 914-810-2015 to schedule.

You Might Also Enjoy...

5 Natural Products to Lessen Blemishes

Professional services are excellent for keeping your skin looking its best, but are there natural products available that can help skin and even diminish the appearance of blemishes between visits? Here’s a list of natural ingredients to look for.

The Secret to a Natural-Looking Face-Lift

If you’ve ever seen a bad face-lift, you may have concerns about getting one yourself. It’s a big decision to undergo plastic surgery to enhance your appearance, and there are a few things you can do to ensure you get a natural-looking facelift.

Say Goodbye to Crow's Feet With Botox or Dysport

If you’re beginning to see crow’s feet around your eyes, you don’t have to just live with them. You have options! Two of the most popular treatments are Botox® or Dysport®. Learn more about them in this post.

A Tummy Tuck Can Give You the Flat Abs You've Always Wanted

You probably know what a tummy tuck is, and maybe you’ve even thought about getting one. You might not be aware that there are some benefits in addition to the obvious cosmetic improvement to having flatter abs. Here’s what you need to know.