When will redness be gone after Vi Peel?

Question

I got a Vi Peel 3 days ago and my skin starts to peel off, and the skin turned to brown too. It also was really easy for me to take the dead skin off, so without thinking, I took plenty of the dead skin off, but some of the new skin is pretty red and it hurts a little. I'm wondering, will the redness be gone after the peeling process is over, or it may take longer for my skin to recover?

Steven H. Williams, MD · Answer

It is not advisable to peel off the skin. You should let it slough off naturally. Peeling off the skin will prolong your healing time and increase redness. The redness should resolve over time. During the peeling process you should apply the post peel protectant as needed. There is a post peel kit that comes with instructions as well. You should consult with the person who performed your peel.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Vipeel chemical peels can cause post treatment redness, itching, 
dryness, and ironically, hyperpigmentation. Early post-peel care is 
vital. I would use a curated combination of Covalent peels, fractional 
laser, and topical creams to treat the skin after a Vipeel. Start with 
Elevase to help with dryness of the skin. Melarase creams are ideal to 
combat pigmentation. 
AM: Melaclenz, Melapads, and Melarase AMPM: Melaclenz, Melapads, and Melarase PMBest, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Shahin Fazilat, MD, FACS · Answer

Your skin will most likely take longer to recover because you exposed skin that was not ready to be exposed.  This also puts you at higher risk for hyperpigmentation.  Follow up with your provider and be sure to follow all your discharge instructions.

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there-
 Everything you have explained sounds like a normal reaction to the vi peel.
It is very important however that you do not try to pull off the dead skin as this can take healthy tissue with it and leave the new skin very red and inflamed.
The redness will heal but may take a few days to subside after you have finished peeling.  Typically the peeling process is complete by the end of day 5 and then the skin remains pink and somewhat sensitive for another 2-3 days after that.
By day 10, most patients are very pleased with how their skin looks and feels and do not have any remaining redness or irritation.

Anshul Gambhir, MD · Answer

Thank you for your message! It is difficult to fully assess your concerns without pictures. We advise that you do not peel the skin off yourself, but rather let it come off as you wash your face or apply moisture to the skin. Peeling the skin off yourself increases the risk of scarring or inflammatory issues. Any redness is normal after chemical peels, but you may have prolonged the healing process as bit. I would follow up with your provider for further information or assistance!

Amy Klein, DO · Answer

It is optimal not to peel off the sloughing skin.  It will increase your chance for scarring and bleeding.  It may take a little longer for your skin to heal in this case.  Keep it moist.  I like Aquaphor.  You can also use the post-peel cream that may have come with the kit, but often it stings.  The Aquaphor should not.  Definitely avoid the sun, hot water, and abrasive substances.

Jennifer Trent, MD, FAAD · Answer

In reading your question it sounds as though you may have peeled the skin off instead of letting it naturally fall off when it was ready. If you peeled the skin off before it was ready you could have damaged the new skin underneath, which could be why it is red and sensitive. It is normal for the skin to be slightly red after the peeling period is over. Your skin will continue to heal for about 3-4 weeks following a peel, the redness should subside during this time. Good luck!

Jeffrey W. Hall, MD · Answer

The skin turns darker right before it is about to start peeling. It is best not to pick at the skin because you can expose the skin to soon and make it raw as well as prolong the redness and peeling process. The redness will go away so have patience with your skin's healing time. It is new skin coming through so be sure to apply sunscreen and have a good post peel skin care regimen. It will take the skin longer to recover if you are picking at the skin during the peeling process.

Dina D. Strachan, MD · Answer

Redness can be a normal occurence during any chemical peel including the Vi peel. One thing you should not do while you are peeling, however, is pick at you skin. I know it is tempting. The best thing you can do to get rid of the flakes is to apply more moisturizer. This will soften the scale and help it come off without damaging the skin. This will help you get a better result.

Nissan Pilest, MD · Answer

With any really effective peel, you will see some redness and this is normal.
You should have received instructions not to peel off the loose skin. It is hard to resist, but the body is smart and doesn't shed old skin until new skin is ready for exposure.
Stop assisting the peel. See your dermatologist so you can stay out of the woods on this. You may have created an additional inflammatory state which might need additional treatment with a calming RX or extra UV protection.
Stay out of the heat - including hot showers and saunas, over a stove, in front of a fireplace, exercising which causes you to flush or sweat.
Chemical peels cause purposeful controlled injuries to the skin. But the key here lies in the control. By prematurely peeling off skin before it is ready to be removed, you can actually create an uncontrolled injury and cause problems not only with redness but potential Hyperpigmentation and/or scarring.
See your doctor and 'fess up to not following the post care instructions.

When will redness be gone after Vi Peel?

Answers (11)