A VI Peel is a medium-strength, medical-grade chemical peel from Vitality Institute Aesthetics. This in-office treatment minimizes signs of sun damage and aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin texture and tone.
It also targets acneâin fact, the peelâs creator, Dr. Abdala F. Kalil, formulated it as a way to treat his teenage daughterâs stubborn breakouts. It works by removing both the epidermis (the top layer of skin) and the uppermost section of the underlying dermal layers, allowing them to be replaced by smoother, brighter skin. Â
âI really like the VI Peel because itâs extremely versatile, dependable, and well-tolerated by all skin types,â says Dr. Ellen Janetzke, a plastic surgeon in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
The formula contains a proprietary blend of active ingredients, including salicylic acid, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), phenol, vitamin C, and retinoic acid. The combination can deliver dramatic results more quickly than chemical peels that include only one of these ingredients, with less downtime than deeper peels.
Itâs a much stronger acidic solution than at-home chemical peels, so it needs to be administered and monitored by a medical professional.
Dr. Christine Gould, a physician in Fairfield, Connecticut, says the VI Peel is especially effective for skin thatâs âvery oily and congested, and [when] pigment and large pores are a problem.â
Related: The Differences Between the Most Common In-Office Chemical Peels
Pros
Cons
The price you pay will depend on your provider's level of experience and practice location.
Like other cosmetic procedures, insurance will not cover the cost of a VI Peel. However, purchasing a series of peels upfront may be more cost-effective.
The VI peel photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.
A VI Peel can treat a variety of skin concerns, and most people are a good candidate for the treatment. In fact, it's suitable for most skin types, according to Dr. Rabach. Itâs one of the safest peels for people with olive, medium, or deep skin tones, who are usually at a higher risk of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation from chemical peels.Â
There are five types of VI peels, each suitable to a specific set of skin conditions.Â
Your provider will help you determine which formula is best for your skin concerns and how many treatment sessions youâre likely to need for optimal results.
Related: 3 Pro-Strength Chemical Peels for Every Hyperpigmentation Problem
For the week leading up to your peel, youâll be asked to stop using prescription retinoids as well as any products that contain alpha hydroxy acids, like glycolic acid; beta hydroxy acids, like salicylic acid; or benzoyl peroxide.Â
Youâll also need to avoid waxing, electrolysis, depilatory creams, and laser hair removal for a week before the procedure.Â
These ingredients and treatments can temporarily weaken the integrity of the skinâs protective barrier and make skin more prone to burning and irritation.
Your whole appointment should last 30 minutes or less. Your doctor or aesthetician will begin by cleansing your face with acetone. This helps âdegrease the skin so the combination of acids and vitamins can penetrate deep into the dermis,â explains San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Tom Pousti. âIf the skin isnât degreased properly, results may be minimalâthe peel didnât penetrate deeply enough.â
Your doctor or aesthetician will then apply several layers of the solution with cotton-tip applicators, small makeup pads, or a paintbrush. The application itself takes only a minute. You may feel some tingling or burning during the application, but most people find this sensation brief and tolerable. After this, the process should be pain-free. Your skin may temporarily turn frosted-white in the areas where youâll get the most peeling.Â
Once the peel solution penetrates completely, your provider will apply sunscreen, to protect your skin. Youâll leave the office with the solution still on your skin and instructions to rinse it off in four hours. After you rinse it off, youâll be free to apply makeup until the peeling begins.Â
Depending on which formula you had, youâll also receive three to five towelettes for home use. They contain vitamin C and tretinoin (the active ingredient in Retin-A) to boost the peelâs exfoliating effects and encourage the outer layers of skin to slough off.
Because youâre removing the solution at home, you play a big role in making sure your recovery goes well and you end up with the results you want.Â
RealSelf Tip: Though the VI Peel is easily tolerated, itâs not gentle. It may feel less intense than some at-home peels because of the anesthetic, but Cincinnati facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jon Mendelsohn says that âit yields greater product penetration and peeling effects.â
Immediately after your peel, your skin will look darker, as pigmentation is brought to the surface.
By day two and three (before your skin starts to peel), it wonât be so apparent that youâve had a chemical peel, and youâll be able to return to your regular activities. But itâs important to follow your providerâs recovery guidelines closely.
According to Dr. Neda Vanden Bosch, a physician in Atlantis, Florida, the post-peel protectant provided by the VI Peel manufacturer commonly stings, so she advises patients to use a thin coat of Vaseline instead. Other doctors on RealSelf recommend a bland moisturizer, like Aquaphor or the ClarityRx On The Mend Post-Procedure Healing Gel. âThe rule of thumb after a peel is to stop using anything that âburnsâ when you put it on,â says Dr. Bosch. Keep your skin care simple post-peel.
âPrior to exfoliation, the treatment area feels tight and a bit dry,â says Dr. Rabach. Using a moisturizer recommended by your doctor can help ease that feeling and mask the flakiness and peeling when it begins, usually within two to three days after the treatment.Â
âExfoliating can be anything from flaking to full strips of skin coming off,â she explains. Moisturizing can also help ease itching, which one RealSelf member calls âthe worst partâ of the treatment.Â
The peeling process will continue for about a week, possibly a little longer. Some providers suggest scheduling your treatment on a Wednesday, so youâll have the worst of the peeling over the weekend.
âThe length of exfoliation depends on individual skin typesâfor example, if your skin is drier or oilierâas well as whether the patient is in the habit of using Retin-A or vitamin C, which already causes the outermost layers of skin to be peeled off,â Dr. Rabach explains. In VI Peel reviews, one RealSelf member recommends having the treatment done when you can take a week off, to be on the safe side.Â
As tempting as it may be, donât pick at your skin while itâs peeling; just allow the skin to slough off naturally. Picking or peeling can increase your risk of bleeding, prolonged redness, hyperpigmentation, and even scarring. âThe best thing you can do to get rid of the flakes is to apply more moisturizer,â says Dr. Dina Strachan, a dermatologist in New York City. This helps the flakes come off without damaging the new skin underneath.
Because the peel is medium-depth, your ânewâ skin will be sensitive, and it may look red if you have fair skin. After the initial peeling, the remaining skin flaking and redness should be much easier to cover and hide.
The level of peeling you experience doesnât mean that the treatment is any more or less effective. âEverybody reacts differently,â says Dr. Pousti. âThe good news is, this particular peel works deep in the dermis to undo damage, so how much you peel is not an indicator of if it âworkedâ or not.â
Avoiding sun exposure while your skin heals is also key to optimal results. âChemically peeled skin is very sensitive,â says Boca Raton, Florida, dermatologic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Fromowitz. âStrict sun avoidance is advised after a peel and during the initial healing process. After that, the use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen is critical.âÂ
Always use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. A good option is the Senté Invisible Shield Full Physical Broad Spectrum SPF 49 Sunscreen, since it also incorporates antioxidants into its formula to protect against pollution and blue light.
Youâll see your final results about seven days after the peeling stops, and the length in which your results last will vary person-to-person. âMany patients can see results, often fairly dramatic, after only one peel,â says Dr. Rabach. âThe VI Peel typically peels off the outermost layers of skin, and the skin that you see once the outer surface is exfoliated is fresh.âÂ
Keep in mind though that you may need a series of treatments for optimal results. âEvery individualâs response to a VI Peel varies, which then varies the number of treatments needed to achieve optimal results. Generally, most patients achieve effective results after two or three treatments,â says Las Vegas dermatologist Dr. Reuel Aspacio.Â
The peel's maker, VI Aesthetics, suggests an initial series of up to four treatments. The frequency will depend on your skin type. âEveryoneâs skin is different. Some patients can tolerate VI Peels every two weeks, and some only every four weeks,â says Dr. Aspacio.Â
After you achieve the results you want, a follow-up treatment every three months can help maintain them. Your results can be extended if you take good care of your skin, including using sunscreen daily.Â
The VI Peel is considered safe, with few risks of complications.
One risk of all chemical peels is possible changes in pigmentation, in which patches of skin turn darker or lighter than the surrounding skin. You can reduce this risk by avoiding exercising, sweating, or raising your body temperature significantly for the first three or four days after your treatment. These activities could cause blistering or hyperpigmentation.
âBrown skin is prone to hyperpigmentation,â says Buffalo, New York, physician Dr. Hratch Karamanoukian. While this risk is lower with this peel than other medium-strength peels, hyperpigmentation is a possibility after any chemical peel, because inflammation can lead to pigment deposits. If you have an olive, brown, or deep skin tone, check with your dermatologist about whether this is the best choice for you and follow all recovery instructions carefully.
Hyperpigmentation post-peel usually resolves on its own, but topical products can help resolve it more quickly.
Chemical solutions can also harm eyes, which is why wearing protective eyewear during the treatment and keeping your eyes closed is often suggested.Â
Rarely, scarring can occur after a VI Peel. The best way to mitigate scarring is to let peeling or flaking skin slough off on its own, during the recovery phase.Â
Finally, if youâve experienced cold sores (HSV-1) in the past, thereâs a risk of reactivation. To reduce the risk of a flare-up, be sure to ask your doctor to prescribe an antiviral medication ahead of your treatment.
There are many chemical peels to choose from, ranging from more superficial glycolic acid peels to deeper phenol-based peels that offer more dramatic results, with more downtime.Â
Related: Which Type of Chemical Peel Is Right for You?
Microneedling or laser resurfacing are also good skin rejuvenation options.Â
Laser resurfacing heats up the lower layers of the skin, causing microdamage and triggering the bodyâs healing response, which boosts the production of collagen and elastin as well as replaces damaged skin with new tissue. Fully ablative CO2 lasers remove the surface layer of skin, while fractional lasers (like Fraxel) damage only a fraction of the skinâs surface, making for an easier recovery. All lasers retexturize skin and improve crowâs-feet, acne scars, age spots, and sagging.Â
Microneedling uses tiny needles to prick skin, causing similar microdamage to build collagen. It may be combined with chemical peels for effective treatment of both the dermis and epidermis.Â
Radiofrequency microneedling treatments like Vivace and Morpheus8 stimulate even more collagen production in the skinâs deeper layers.Â
Lasers and microneedling can offer more precise treatment than any chemical peel, according to Dr. Soto, but they also cost more because the devices themselves are expensive.
Additionally, if you have active acne, chemical peels are the surer bet, as microneedling and laser resurfacing can spread pimple-causing bacteria.
Updated August 14, 2023