VI PEEL

Pros

• Chemical peels like VI Peels can be a powerful anti-aging tool, simultaneously treating multiple concerns, including fine lines, enlarged pores, dullness, skin discoloration, breakouts, and acne scars.  
• You’ll see results as soon as skin stops peeling, about a week after your treatment. 
• Compared to other in-office methods of treating the same skin conditions, such as laser resurfacing, VI Peel is far less expensive and has little downtime. 
• A built-in anesthetic makes the treatment more comfortable than other medium-strength peels. “It stings a bit for about two minutes while the peel is being applied, but it’s very mild and easily tolerated,” says New York City facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lesley Rabach. 
• It can be used anywhere on the body, including the neck, chest, and hands. 

Cons

• Expect to have a few days of “social downtime,” starting three to five days after the treatment when your skin starts to peel—especially if you get the stronger VI Peel Precision formula. 
• Peeling or picking off flaking skin could leave you at risk for infection or scarring, so resist the urge. 
• People with acne-prone skin may have new breakouts, commonly called purging, following the treatment. “The VI Peel can cause blemishes to surface, but the solution will purify blemish-prone skin and clear up the acne below the surface as well as acne scars,” says Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Morgan Norris.  
• It’s not uncommon to experience post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation two or three weeks following treatment. It can make discoloration you’re trying to treat (such as melasma) temporarily darker, but it’s rarely permanent. The pigmentation often fades away on its own, but it can also be treated to resolve faster.  
• Some people need several treatments to see the full benefits, and some providers on RealSelf recommend two or three a year to maintain results.

• Average Cost:
• $316

• Range:
• $200 - $585

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.

See our complete guide to VI peel costs

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. It’s 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. 

There are five types of VI peels, each suitable to a specific set of skin conditions. 

• VI Peel, the original formula, contains a signature combination of TCA, retinoic acid, salicylic acid, phenol, and vitamin C. It also contains an anesthetic, to reduce discomfort.  
• VI Peel Precision has higher concentrations of the above active ingredients, making the formula 25% stronger and more effective at treating signs of aging. 
• VI Peel Precision Plus adds hydroquinone and kojic acid, ingredients known for lightening dark spots. It’s used to treat sunspots, age spots, and other hyperpigmentation issues like melasma. 
• VI Peel Purify is formulated for acne-prone skin. It has benzoyl peroxide and hydrocortisone, to target both acne and inflammation. 
• VI Peel Purify with Precision Plus combines the acne-fighting ingredients in the Purify formula with the brightening ingredients in the Precision Plus formula, offering a two-pronged approach to more severe acne scarring and skin damage. 

Your provider will help you determine which formula is best for your skin concerns and how many treatment sessions you’re likely to need for optimal results.

Related: 3 Pro-Strength Chemical Peels for Every Hyperpigmentation Problem

For the week leading up to your peel, you’ll 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. 

You’ll also need to avoid waxing, electrolysis, depilatory creams, and laser hair removal for a week before the procedure. 

These ingredients and treatments can temporarily weaken the integrity of the skin’s 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 “degrease the skin so the combination of acids and vitamins can penetrate deep into the dermis,” explains San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Tom Pousti. “If the skin isn’t degreased properly, results may be minimal—the peel didn’t penetrate deeply enough.”

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 you’ll get the most peeling. 

Once the peel solution penetrates completely, your provider will apply sunscreen, to protect your skin. You’ll leave the office with the solution still on your skin and instructions to rinse it off in four hours. After you rinse it off, you’ll be free to apply makeup until the peeling begins. 

Depending on which formula you had, you’ll also receive three to five towelettes for home use. They contain vitamin C and tretinoin (the active ingredient in Retin-A) to boost the peel’s exfoliating effects and encourage the outer layers of skin to slough off.

Because you’re 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. 

RealSelf Tip: Though the VI Peel is easily tolerated, it’s 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 “it yields greater product penetration and peeling effects.”

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 won’t be so apparent that you’ve had a chemical peel, and you’ll be able to return to your regular activities. But it’s important to follow your provider’s 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. “The rule of thumb after a peel is to stop using anything that ‘burns’ when you put it on,” says Dr. Bosch. Keep your skin care simple post-peel.

“Prior to exfoliation, the treatment area feels tight and a bit dry,” 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. 

“Exfoliating can be anything from flaking to full strips of skin coming off,” she explains. Moisturizing can also help ease itching, which one RealSelf member calls “the worst part” of the treatment. 

The peeling process will continue for about a week, possibly a little longer. Some providers suggest scheduling your treatment on a Wednesday, so you’ll have the worst of the peeling over the weekend.

“The length of exfoliation depends on individual skin types—for example, if your skin is drier or oilier—as 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,” 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. 

As tempting as it may be, don’t pick at your skin while it’s peeling; just allow the skin to slough off naturally. Picking or peeling can increase your risk of bleeding, prolonged redness, hyperpigmentation, and even scarring. “The best thing you can do to get rid of the flakes is to apply more moisturizer,” 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 “new” 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 doesn’t mean that the treatment is any more or less effective. “Everybody reacts differently,” says Dr. Pousti. “The 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 ‘worked’ or not.”

Avoiding sun exposure while your skin heals is also key to optimal results. “Chemically peeled skin is very sensitive,” says Boca Raton, Florida, dermatologic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Fromowitz. “Strict sun avoidance is advised after a peel and during the initial healing process. After that, the use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen is critical.” 

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.

You’ll see your final results about seven days after the peeling stops, and the length in which your results last will vary person-to-person. “Many patients can see results, often fairly dramatic, after only one peel,” says Dr. Rabach.  “The VI Peel typically peels off the outermost layers of skin, and the skin that you see once the outer surface is exfoliated is fresh.” 

Keep in mind though that you may need a series of treatments for optimal results. “Every individual’s 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,” says Las Vegas dermatologist Dr. Reuel Aspacio. 

The peel's maker, VI Aesthetics, suggests an initial series of up to four treatments. The frequency will depend on your skin type. “Everyone’s skin is different. Some patients can tolerate VI Peels every two weeks, and some only every four weeks,” says Dr. Aspacio. 

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. 

See VI Peel before and after photos

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.

“Brown skin is prone to hyperpigmentation,” 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. 

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. 

Finally, if you’ve experienced cold sores (HSV-1) in the past, there’s 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. 

Related: Which Type of Chemical Peel Is Right for You?

Microneedling or laser resurfacing are also good skin rejuvenation options. 

Laser resurfacing heats up the lower layers of the skin, causing microdamage and triggering the body’s 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 skin’s surface, making for an easier recovery. All lasers retexturize skin and improve crow’s-feet, acne scars, age spots, and sagging. 

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. 

Radiofrequency microneedling treatments like Vivace and Morpheus8 stimulate even more collagen production in the skin’s deeper layers. 

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.

Al-Talib, Hassanain, et al. “Efficacy and Safety of Superficial Chemical Peeling in Treatment of Active Acne Vulgaris.” Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia, vol. 92, no. 2, Mar. 2017.

Rendon, Marta I, et al. “Evidence and Considerations in the Application of Chemical Peels in Skin Disorders and Aesthetic Resurfacing.” The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, vol. 3, no. 7, July 2010.

Saadawi, Amr N., et al. “Microneedling by Dermapen and Glycolic Acid Peel for the Treatment of Acne Scars: Comparative Study.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, vol. 18, no. 1, 9 Dec. 2018.