Microneedling vs Chemical Peels: A Guide for Aesthetic Practitioners by Skin Type

Chemical peels are a trusted favourite among skin professionals for good reason. These solutions work by exfoliating the top layers of the skin to reveal fresher, healthier cells underneath. But the impact goes beyond surface level, peels can stimulate collagen production, reduce pigmentation, and even help manage conditions like acne and rosacea.

Chemical peels use active acids to break down the bonds between dead skin cells in the stratum corneum. This controlled chemical reaction triggers an inflammatory response that stimulates cellular turnover, collagen production, and melanin regulation. The depth of penetration varies based on:

• pH level: Lower pH formulations penetrate more deeply
• Acid concentration: Higher percentages increase intensity
• Acid type: Different molecular structures affect penetration
• Application technique: Method and duration impact depth
• Skin condition: Compromised barriers allow deeper penetration

Church Pharmacy is proud to be the exclusive distributor of PCA Skin in the UK. With more than 30 years of innovation behind the brand, PCA Skin peels are designed with safety and efficacy in mind. They’re formulated with advanced, skin-friendly acids and botanical ingredients that target concerns across all Fitzpatrick types, including sensitive and melanin-rich skin.

Common Peeling Agents and Their Applications
The PCA Skin range offers several key acid categories:

• Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
  
  • Lactic Acid: Gentle exfoliation with additional hydrating benefits, suitable for dry or sensitive skin.
  • Mandelic Acid: Delivers superficial exfoliation with minimal irritation, excellent for treating acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation in higher Fitzpatrick (IV-VI) skin types
• Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs)
  • Salicylic Acid: Oil-soluble acid penetrates sebaceous follicles, making it the gold standard for treating acne, congestion, and excess oil production.

Blended Peels
PCA Skin pioneered modified Jessner's solutions and proprietary blending peels that combine multiple acids with anti-inflammatory and brightening ingredients.

Matching Peels to Skin Concerns
Chemical peels are ideal primary treatments for surface-level skin concerns:

• Hyperpigmentation: Mandelic acid formulations help suppress melanin production.
• Acne: Salicylic & Lactic acid peels normalise sebum production and clear clogged follicles.
• Aging & Sensitive: Lactic acid and Silymarin peels stimulate collagen production while reducing inflammation.
• Dullness: Even superficial peels immediately enhance radiance.

While chemical peels work primarily at the epidermal level, microneedling stimulates the skin from the inside out. Known as collagen induction therapy (CIT), microneedling uses small, sterile needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. These trigger a natural healing response, boosting collagen and elastin, the structural proteins responsible for skin firmness, elasticity, and resilience.

The mechanism revolves around controlled micro-injury to the skin, triggering a three-phase wound healing response:

• Inflammatory Phase: Platelets and neutrophils release growth factors that initiate new tissue formation.
• Proliferative Phase: Fibroblasts deposit new collagen and elastin.
• Remodelling Phase: Over 3-6 months, newly formed collagen continues to strengthen, improving skin texture and firmness.

Available exclusively through Church Pharmacy, the 1NEEDPRO device by Campomats is an advanced microneedling system designed for medical professionals. It combines innovation, flexibility, and safety through features such as:

• Patented PD/DS System: Allows precise calibration of needle depth from 0.15mm to 2.5mm.
• NOFLOW Anti-Back Flow System: Prevents cross-contamination between the handpiece and cartridge.
• Multiple Treatment Modalities:
• Nanopeel: Using 130 rounded nanotips at a maximum depth of 0.3mm for superficial exfoliation.
• Micropricking: With unique flower design 9-needle cartridge at a maximum depth of 0.3mm.
• Needling: Using the same flower-design at depths up to 2.5mm for deeper concerns.

Microneedling excels at addressing concerns that originate in the dermis:

As every practitioner knows, not all skin types respond the same way to each modality. Here’s a quick guide to selecting the right approach:

Treatment Selection by Fitzpatrick Type

Treatment Selection by Skin Concern

The strategic integration of chemical peels and microneedling creates synergistic benefits when properly sequenced and combined, addressing both epidermal and dermal concerns.

Chemical Peels

• Primary action on epidermis and papillary dermis.
• Create controlled chemical inflammation.
• Accelerate cellular turnover.
• Improve surface texture and tone.

Microneedling

• Primary action on reticular dermis.
• Creates controlled mechanical inflammation.
• Stimulates fibroblast activity and collagen remodelling.
• Improves firmness and elasticity.

Together, they offer a multi-level approach that enhances product penetration, accelerates visible improvement and prolongs treatment benefit.

Protocol 1: Progressive Rejuvenation for Fitzpatrick I-III

• Weeks 1-6: Series of progressive-strength chemical peels from PCA Skin (NoPeel Peel and Bright & Even Peel)
• Week 6: Nanopeel followed by micropricking (0.25mm)
• Week 9: Nanopeel followed by needling (0.5-1.0mm) with PCA Skin NoPeel Peel
• Week 13: Maintenance NoPeel Peel
• Week 17: Maintenance needling (0.5-1.0mm)

Protocol 2: Hyperpigmentation Management for Fitzpatrick IV-VI

• Week 1: PCA Skin Pigment Correct Peel
• Week 4: Nanopeel treatment
• Week 8: Micropricking (0.25mm) with PCA Skin Pigment Correct Peel & Pigment Gel Pro
• Week 12: PCA Skin Pigment Correct Peel with Pigment Gel Pro
• Week 16: Micropricking (0.3mm) with Pigment Correct Peel

At Church Pharmacy, we believe that the right training is just as important as the right product.

PCA Skin Training Excellence
We offer regional training across the UK and Ireland, including:

London, Loughborough, Leeds, Manchester, Durham, Bristol, Cardiff, Southampton, Scotland, and Ireland 

Each session covers: 

• In-depth ingredient education
• Layering techniques and peel safety 
• Skin condition matching and post-treatment care

1NEEDPRO Demonstration and Support
In-Clinic Demonstrations

• Personalised, on-site demonstrations of the 1NEEDPRO system. 
• Hands-on training for all three treatment modalities.
• Protocol development assistance for specific patient concerns. 
• Technical training on device operation and safety features.

As an aesthetic practitioner, your goal is to offer safe, evidence-based treatments that deliver visible results. By combining microneedling and chemical peels, you’re not just offering two separate services, you’re offering a comprehensive skin solution.

This dual-modality approach allows you to: 

• Treat all Fitzpatrick types with confidence
• Address both surface and deep skin concerns 
• Boost your clinic’s results, patient satisfaction, and profitability