Skin Rejuvenation Vs Skin Resurfacing – What is the Difference?

Youthful skin often looks radiant, smooth, without any marks or sagging and fine lines. But time often results in the effects of ageing, especially if there have been many years of unprotected sun exposure. This results in skin imperfections like uneven skin tone, fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation or sun spots (fun fact: that they are also called ‘liver spots’ due the fact that they were once incorrectly believed to be caused by liver problems!), and eventually sagging or droopy skin that has lost its radiance. The terms ‘skin resurfacing’ and ‘skin rejuvenation’ may get thrown around interchangeably, but they are not quite the same thing.

Rejuvenation treatments are anything that makes the skin look better – either procedures in-clinic or skincare products used at home. Meanwhile, resurfacing refers to a treatment that physically removes the top layer of the skin. Hence, resurfacing happens to just be one way to accomplish skin rejuvenation. Still not quite clear on the terms? This article will help to clarify Skin Resurfacing vs. Skin Rejuvenation treatments so that you can begin to understand what those terms really mean for your skin journey!

Skin Rejuvenation – What is it?

As mentioned, skin rejuvenation can literally be any treatments or procedures that helps to ‘rejuvenate’ your skin and make it look even better than before. Although it may not bring you back to your youth, skin rejuvenation treatments can go a long way in helping you regain back hydration, skin elasticity and volume, and a radiance that may have been long lost.

List of Common Skin Rejuvenation Treatments

There are various skin rejuvenation treatments to choose from depending on your specific skin concerns and goals. Here are some of the most popular options:

• Laser Skin Resurfacing: This treatment uses focused light energy to remove damaged skin layers and stimulate collagen growth.
• Chemical Peels: A chemical solution is applied to your skin to exfoliate and encourage new skin cell turnover.
• Microneedling: Tiny needles are used to create controlled micro-injuries, which trigger collagen and elastin production.
• HydraFacial: This multi-step treatment cleanses, exfoliates, and hydrates your skin, all in one session.
• Radiofrequency (RF) Therapy: This technology delivers controlled heat into your skin to tighten it and stimulate collagen without harming the surface.
• Fractional RF Microneedling: Combines microneedling with radiofrequency to resurface the skin and stimulate collagen for firmer, smoother skin.
• Injectables (like HA Smooth or dermal fillers): These injectables restore lost volume, smooth fine lines, and boost hydration from within.
• LED Light Therapy: LED devices emit specific light wavelengths to treat issues like acne, redness, and signs of ageing.

Benefits of Skin Rejuvenation

Skin rejuvenation does more than just improve your appearance, it boosts your confidence and supports long-term skin health. Here’s what you can expect:

Improve Skin Tone

These treatments reduce pigmentation, redness, and sun damage, giving your skin a more even and radiant tone.

Enhance Texture

They smooth out rough patches, acne scars, and enlarged pores, so your skin feels softer and looks more refined.

Minimal Downtime

Most skin rejuvenation treatments offer visible results without requiring days of recovery, which is ideal if you lead a busy lifestyle.

Skin Resurfacing – What is it?

Skin resurfacing takes many forms and they represent treatments that help to remove damaged skin from the skin’s surface. Skin resurfacing takes advantage of a natural biological process called ‘desquamation’ that is the shedding of the outermost layer of the skin. The top layers of skin cells and debris are physically removed, although perhaps not always in the same intensity or depth depending on the type of skin resurfacing treatment.

List of Common Skin Resurfacing Treatments

Chemical Peels: Apply chemical solutions like glycolic or salicylic acid to exfoliate skin, improve tone, and treat pigmentation or acne scars.

Laser Resurfacing: Uses focused laser energy to vaporise skin layers, reduce deep wrinkles, and treat scars or sun damage.

Dermabrasion: Involves a rotating device that deeply exfoliates the skin to correct texture irregularities and scarring.

Benefits of Skin Resurfacing

Skin resurfacing can:

• Eliminate dead and damaged skin cells
• Stimulate collagen production for firmer skin
• Reduce acne scars and pigmentation
• Smooth out fine lines and wrinkles
• Improve skin texture and tone
• Boost the effectiveness of skincare products

Key Differences Between Skin Rejuvenation and Skin Resurfacing

Can The Two Be Combined?

Yes! You can combine both treatments to maximise your results. Skin resurfacing prepares the skin by removing surface damage, which allows rejuvenating treatments to penetrate deeper and work more effectively.

For example:

• Start with a light chemical peel or fractional laser to resurface the skin
• Follow up with hydrating injectables or collagen-boosting treatments like HA Smooth or RF therapy

Which is Better Between the Two?

To answer the question of which is better between the two, the phrase ‘It depends’ really provides the best response. If your main aim is just to maintain your skin’s youthful condition or prevent ageing, most mild skin rejuvenation procedures like Skinboosters would fare well enough. With more complex cases like major collagen loss or major scarring, dermal fillers or laser skin resurfacing would then be considered ‘better’!

Who Should Get Skin Rejuvenation & Skin Resurfacing?

There are various skin rejuvenation treatments that can help to improve your confidence without make-up depending on your skin condition – smooth wrinkles away by topical retinol creams, Anti Wrinkle Treatment or filler injectables, and even some forms of laser skin resurfacing like C&B laser. Dehydrated and sagging skin? Skinboosters or HA Smooth fillers can help to rejuvenate and plump up your skin. Acne scars? Skin rejuvenation treatments that range from ‘light’ to ‘more intense’ like chemical peels, Pico laser, or even Fractional CO2 lasers for more severe scarring can assist with that. Sun spots and pigmentation issues? There is a whole range of skin rejuvenation procedures that aim to break down pigments and give you brighter and more even skin!

What we’re saying is that anybody looking to gain more confidence in their bare skin should consider skin rejuvenation treatments!

Look Younger, Feel Younger – Gain Your Confidence Back Today

After reading this article on Skin Rejuvenation vs. Skin Resurfacing treatments and you’re ready to begin to improve the appearance of your skin, get in touch with us at SL Aesthetic Clinic for a tailored skin assessment with one of our certified professionals. We will recommend the right treatments and skincare products for your skin concerns and needs, according to your skin care goals. Book an appointment with us by calling your nearest branch today.