New Study Says Botox + Chemical Peel Are Even Better Together

Published April 3, 2024 by Dr. R. Brannon Claytor

Combining treatments to maximize results has become a standard practice at our Philadelphia med spa. A recent study spotlighted a duo that’s setting new benchmarks for skin rejuvenation: Botox and chemical peels. Below, we explain how these treatments work on their own, their synergistic benefits, and the results of the study. 

Botox: Precision in relaxing expression lines

Botox®, and other brands of neuromodulators, use a purified form of botulinum toxin to temporarily paralyze facial muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles, which are lines that appear as a result of facial expressions like smiling, frowning, or squinting. 

During a Botox treatment, our injectors use very fine needles to inject the neurotoxin directly into the muscles that help form these expressions, softening the impact these movements have and thus smoothing the skin in treated areas. 

The procedure is highly nuanced; our injectors carefully select the specific muscles that contract with your expressions and often treat corresponding areas to maintain a natural appearance. 

Chemical peels: Revitalizing the skin’s surface

Chemical peels use a specialized chemical solution that, when applied to the skin, deeply exfoliates away the dull, dead layers to reveal healthier, smoother skin beneath. These treatments reduce the appearance of dynamic and static lines, help even out skin tone and texture, improve the appearance of large pores, and boost collagen and elastin production to enhance skin health. Peels range in intensity from superficial to deep, depending on the chemical solution used and the skin’s needs.

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The benefits of combining Botox and chemical peels

When Botox and chemical peels are used in conjunction, they address a broad spectrum of skin concerns, from the underlying muscle activity contributing to dynamic wrinkles to the surface-level static irregularities like skin texture and tone. The combination creates a more youthful and refreshed appearance that neither treatment could achieve alone.

Additionally, the effects of Botox can potentially be extended when paired with a customized chemical peel, as improving the skin’s overall quality with increased collagen and elastin production helps to soften or erase existing lines and help delay future concerns from forming. 

Results of the new study 

The January 2024 study, published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, observed participants aged 30 to 70 with varying skin types who received a chemical peel followed immediately by Botox injections. Here is an overview of the participants’ results 30 days after treatment: 

• 60% improvement in wrinkle severity
• 59% improvement in pigmentation uniformity
• 70% improvement in skin tone concerns

Of those who participated in the study, 96% expressed their willingness to undergo the treatment again, with 100% of patients noting an improvement in their skin’s appearance. 

What does this mean for you?

For anyone seeking a non-surgical, yet comprehensive approach to rejuvenate their skin, this study confirms the safety and efficacy of combining Botox and chemical peels. No additional side effects from pairing these treatments were found during this study.

While the study’s results are promising, the key to success lies in selecting the right professionals for your aesthetic needs. Our Bryn Mawr Med Spa is overseen by Dr. Brannon Claytor who also performs injectable treatments alongside our Physician Assistant, Julie Holesh. Patients in Bryn Mawr, Main Line, and surrounding Philadelphia areas appreciate that their injectable treatments and many other non-surgical procedures are performed by practitioners with the highest levels of education and training in facial musculature and skin anatomy. 

In addition to our premier injectable providers, our medical esthetician, Shannon, has nearly 20 years of experience in personalized medical spa treatments, including chemical peels, to address superficial and deeper skin imperfections.

To learn if this innovative treatment duo is right for you and your skin, please call our Philadelphia Med Spa at Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery by calling (610) 527-4833—or, schedule a consultation online using the link at the top of this page!