POSTED UNDER VI Peel Reviews
Skin damaged by VI Peel
UPDATED FROM damagedskin
My skin seems to be getting worse every day. I...
$200
My skin seems to be getting worse every day. I feel like the peel triggered some kind of delayed cell death from the single laser treatment I had done which damaged my skin. Or maybe it has nothing to do with that...but in the space of 5 months, my skin has aged by about 10 years.
Does anyone have any advice?
I'm dermarolling and feel like I'm seeing an improvement but has anyone had any luck with anything else?
Does anyone have any advice?
I'm dermarolling and feel like I'm seeing an improvement but has anyone had any luck with anything else?
Replies (5)
November 5, 2011
Hi damaged,
You're pictures could almost be mine. I highly doubt it's the peel that did this to your skin, unfortunately after laser it can take tissue up to two years to form scars and show the fat loss and the orange peel texture. It can also take the same amount for melanin to get darker in areas that you would have otherswise had no problem, because it damages those sites as well, and thats why people keep coming back-to take care of darker areas with laser because they can't seem to link it to laser being its original cause in the first place. My face was destroyed for money too. This doesn't belong at a doctors office, a surgeons office, or should be touted as a great pick me up procedure that keeps skin youthful and healthy. It's playing with fire.
You're pictures could almost be mine. I highly doubt it's the peel that did this to your skin, unfortunately after laser it can take tissue up to two years to form scars and show the fat loss and the orange peel texture. It can also take the same amount for melanin to get darker in areas that you would have otherswise had no problem, because it damages those sites as well, and thats why people keep coming back-to take care of darker areas with laser because they can't seem to link it to laser being its original cause in the first place. My face was destroyed for money too. This doesn't belong at a doctors office, a surgeons office, or should be touted as a great pick me up procedure that keeps skin youthful and healthy. It's playing with fire.
November 8, 2011
Hi Cv,
I know that I have damage from the laser treatment as significant changes to my skin happened almost instantly after the procedure. However, I didn't have this issue with pores or bumps until a couple of months ago after I'd had the VI peel...so I don't know how much is due to the laser.
All I know is that if my doctor had been honest with me about the possible consequences, I could have made a more informed decision and not been a guinea pug for their treatment.
I wanted to know, have you tried microderm or dermaroller?
I don't want to go near a peel and will NEVER do a laser again but thought maybe microderm could get rid of that dead skin on my cheeks. Does it seem like your skin on the cheeks is dead and won't soak up serums like before?
I also find that before if I had a pimple that erupted, it would heal quickly whereas now my skin seems to take a month to heal from minor pimple issues.
So depressing...
I know that I have damage from the laser treatment as significant changes to my skin happened almost instantly after the procedure. However, I didn't have this issue with pores or bumps until a couple of months ago after I'd had the VI peel...so I don't know how much is due to the laser.
All I know is that if my doctor had been honest with me about the possible consequences, I could have made a more informed decision and not been a guinea pug for their treatment.
I wanted to know, have you tried microderm or dermaroller?
I don't want to go near a peel and will NEVER do a laser again but thought maybe microderm could get rid of that dead skin on my cheeks. Does it seem like your skin on the cheeks is dead and won't soak up serums like before?
I also find that before if I had a pimple that erupted, it would heal quickly whereas now my skin seems to take a month to heal from minor pimple issues.
So depressing...
November 16, 2011
hi damaged,
i did microderm for about 5 months straight, it felt good, but was there a huge improvement i highly doubt. in time though, about a year later, my skin's oil did come back and i think it has helped me absorb topicals. prior to that my skin was parched, and felt like i was walking around with a veil of dead skin that couldn't be sloughed off. you may want to try microderm, but i almost feel since your still early, the best thing is to be very simple with your skin to get the inflammation down and leave it alone. just don't let it dry out. i know, its beyond frusterating....
i did microderm for about 5 months straight, it felt good, but was there a huge improvement i highly doubt. in time though, about a year later, my skin's oil did come back and i think it has helped me absorb topicals. prior to that my skin was parched, and felt like i was walking around with a veil of dead skin that couldn't be sloughed off. you may want to try microderm, but i almost feel since your still early, the best thing is to be very simple with your skin to get the inflammation down and leave it alone. just don't let it dry out. i know, its beyond frusterating....
November 16, 2011
Hi, oh wow, your story has horrified me. I'm so so sorry to hear what you are going through. I've done almost everything under the sun for my melasma due to the pill and regular sun damage. Lasers, acid, various peels and micro's(which thinned out my skin)
I might have something that will help you. The bumps and pores could b from over treating your skin or using too much product. For ex: I exp orange peel and large pores from merely using an SPF moisturizer that my skin didn't like. It was awful, but the simple solution was to stop. So I'd suggest to change your routine. Your skin may react at first, only because you are switching products. Mine does anytime I switch to a new foundation but then reverts back to normal.
Anyway, I highly recommend this at least to try. Wash with cytaphil-use the bar, day and night, chose a light moisturizer and a SPF and UVB sunblock/sunscreen. STAY out of the sun!
Now to get rid of your problem. I live by this product, you may have heard of it. Cosmelan 2. It works miracles. I'm a golfer, so even with the best sunblock my melasma returns so I get this done every 6-12 months. It is a peel. Looks like peanut butter on, you leave it on for a while depending on your skin type. You will be red and sunburned, it is painful. The maintenance is tideous. BUT, it will close your pores completely and take care of the orange peel (most likely-obviously not a gaurantee) and just may fix the deadness on your cheeks. You can get it for $800. I a bit pricey, but so worth it just to fix your pores. If the hyper pig comes back that's the least of your worries. I wish u the best.
November 16, 2011
Hi myztik! Im going thru the same problem as i mentioned, my skin also looks so dry and wrinkle looking! I never heard of cosmelan. Can you tell me where u get it and how it works, because my skin is damage due to the vitalize peel, or the microderm a month after, or the sun exposure because I even didn't know, or the bad products that the spa gave me , anyway I have bad acne now too!! If u can give me more info! Thanks
ORIGINAL POST
I had the VI peel 4 months ago in June of 2011. If...
I had the VI peel 4 months ago in June of 2011. If I had written this review a month after I had had the peel, it would have been a glowing review. The peel itself was fine - 5-6 days of feeling like you have sunburnt skin, and skin started peel after about 3 days to reveal the most amazing, glorious skin I had ever seen. I followed the instructions and precautions TO THE LETTER.
The skin tone was even, pore size diminished and it felt so smooth and looked like I'd taken 5 years off it. Then in August, so 2 months after the peel, I caught a glimpse of myself in a window outside and noticed my skin has this strange texture all over my face.
It's hard to describe but it looked like I had thousands of little bumps all over my skin, but you couldn't see them in all lights. Since then, I've been watching my skin carefully, and have been living a daily nightmare. I used to have medium-sized open pores on the apples of my cheeks and small pores on my forehead and no pores on the sides of my face.
Since August, every day I look in the mirror and every single pore has become absolutely enormous, as though someone had dotted my face with a needle or something.
On top of this many pores have joined together to make long lines of pores that look like pronounced wrinkles. I can actually feel them when I run my fingers over my face. I also have 2 light brown stains on my cheeks that were not there before the peel. It looks like the skin on my cheeks is dead as it doesn't seem to soak up the serums I'm trying to nourish it with and just looks totally lifeless.
I had one single accent laser treatment on my face 18 months ago to "tighten up the jowl area" as the doctor said, which led to fat loss and parts of my face looking deflated when I smiled (I will write about this in a post on the Accent page). I have done no treatments to my face since that disaster but after visiting the doctor (one of the most well known and respected in my city), I was encouraged to the VI peel which he said would help with some of the textural problems that were caused by the Accent treatment.
At no point did the doctor ever mention that there was a risk of me ending up with orange peel skin, raised bumps, pores joining together to form lines, dark stains and lines going all across my face and cheeks when I smile. It looks like the collagen has been completely destroyed under my epidermis!
I feel like I'm living a nightmare. I would feel better if the (famous, well respected) doctor had said that this sort of thing can happen in a minority of patients, but nothing like this and I asked 50 questions!
These doctors are truly evil. I believe that they know the risks full well and are willing to feed people lies as long as it funds their lavish lifestyles.
I have no idea what to do now. People always used to say how young I looked for my age and I feel like I've aged 10 years in the space of a few months. I don't want to go near another laser or peel but I wonder if microdermabrasion can help? I've been using expensive products that are supposed to repair the skin - serums, Vit C creams, essential oils etc but I feel like every day I'm comfronted with bigger pores/track marks/lines as well as the ongoing fat loss from the Accent.
I'm going to try dermarolling - has anyone had any success with that before. I'll post updates - I'm desperate to try to repair the collagen. I'm 32 so hope that maybe I'm young enough for my skin to have some chance of recovery.
To anyone thinking of having laser or peels, I would think long and hard. I believe that there are thousands of "respected", "well known" doctors out there who are keeping up a veil of secrecy about the reality of these treatments and I would not take any doctor's word for it if he/she has a vested interest in you having treatment.
I would also encourage people to think long and hard about whether the problem you want treatment for is really worth the risks that come with these "treatments".
I've lost confidence, I check my skin often, am afraid of going out and am jut generally devastated. There is no way that this is a coincidence - I've never, ever had such issues before - I know my skin so well, every mark and pore and this is not MY skin.
Please all be aware that often the skin looks amazing a month after treatment but you may be dealing with devastating effects several months down the line like me.
If anyone has any advice at all that could help me - I would appreciate it so much. I feel like this is only the beginning and I'm scared as it seems to be getting worse every day. Please someone give me some hope.
Replies (5)
October 17, 2011
Hi damaged,
Oh my, I'm so sorry. I wondered if the peel did kind of the reverse effect and clogged your pores instead of clearing them. Have you consulted with another doctor so see what they might say? Please let us know what you find out.
Thanks,
-Britt
October 19, 2011
thank you for your posts. I gad a photofacial 5 months ago and had those little bumps show up on my face. My freckles are gone but have red spots all over my cheeks, I was thinking about a vipeel but no way now. I agree they dont tell you about the side effects
October 29, 2011
Thanks for your posts.
I don't know if the treatment clogged more pores. It's more like they've got really big and joined together to make horrible slits. The texture has also got really bumpy.
SQ, yes I would think long and hard about doing anything that could damage the dna of the skin. I've realised the skin is a complex organ and won't always react the way you want it to.
I've done 3 at-home dermaroller treatments (0.5mm). I don't know if it's just microswelling, but I can see some improvement in terms of pore size on the size of my face. After 3 months of goulish-looking skin, I'm feeling relief for the first time though don't want to jump the gun. I'll have to wait and see if it does anything for the crepiness (from Accent) or that dead look of the skin on my cheeks (after VI peel).
I've been really careful about what I'm using on my face - no harsh creams, no Retinol. Just vitamins E and C, a little A, and avocado oils with some essential oils. Don't want to do more harm - I just want my skin to heal however long it takes.
I wish the doctor had told me the truth about this treament and the single Accent treatment I had done. They should be honest - in a minority of patients, things can go badly wrong. Instead of that, they say 'it's all good, safe, your skin will look amazing.' You trust them as they're doctors, real MD's, you think 'there's no way he'll put his patient's lives, health or looks at stake for money.' Wrong - they will. I'd feel much better if I'd been warned of this possibility.
I don't know how they sleep at night. I don't think they did anything wrong in terms of the application of the treatment - it seemed well done and the aftercare instructions were good. They just concealed the potential for things going wrong. What do they care? They're not the ones that have to live with it when they go outside or meet friends.
I really believe a lot of doctors are keeping up a wall of silence about widespread disastrous effects of all sorts of skin treatments.
I'll keep this post updated and will post about the accent treatment too.
If anyone has any advice, it would be much appreciated.
I don't know if the treatment clogged more pores. It's more like they've got really big and joined together to make horrible slits. The texture has also got really bumpy.
SQ, yes I would think long and hard about doing anything that could damage the dna of the skin. I've realised the skin is a complex organ and won't always react the way you want it to.
I've done 3 at-home dermaroller treatments (0.5mm). I don't know if it's just microswelling, but I can see some improvement in terms of pore size on the size of my face. After 3 months of goulish-looking skin, I'm feeling relief for the first time though don't want to jump the gun. I'll have to wait and see if it does anything for the crepiness (from Accent) or that dead look of the skin on my cheeks (after VI peel).
I've been really careful about what I'm using on my face - no harsh creams, no Retinol. Just vitamins E and C, a little A, and avocado oils with some essential oils. Don't want to do more harm - I just want my skin to heal however long it takes.
I wish the doctor had told me the truth about this treament and the single Accent treatment I had done. They should be honest - in a minority of patients, things can go badly wrong. Instead of that, they say 'it's all good, safe, your skin will look amazing.' You trust them as they're doctors, real MD's, you think 'there's no way he'll put his patient's lives, health or looks at stake for money.' Wrong - they will. I'd feel much better if I'd been warned of this possibility.
I don't know how they sleep at night. I don't think they did anything wrong in terms of the application of the treatment - it seemed well done and the aftercare instructions were good. They just concealed the potential for things going wrong. What do they care? They're not the ones that have to live with it when they go outside or meet friends.
I really believe a lot of doctors are keeping up a wall of silence about widespread disastrous effects of all sorts of skin treatments.
I'll keep this post updated and will post about the accent treatment too.
If anyone has any advice, it would be much appreciated.
April 5, 2012
What you are doing is likely contributing to your skin condition; you are clogging your pores which will enlarge them. You should be using a glycolic acid cleanser and pads and the avocado oil is not a good idea...it's too emollient for your face skin. Try this for a few weeks and I will be you see improvement in your pores.
May 11, 2012
hi,i hope your skin is improving,have a micro-laser peel,a series of 5 or 6 .they will help improve your skin texture. Sciton laser-peel
May 26, 2018
I have found that my skin reacts badly to any aggressive anti-aging treatments such as trentoin and microneedling. I get the problem of huge pores and orange peel texture. I do have keratosis pilaris and was wondering if the stimulation of keratin growth from these anti-aging treatments is causing the pores on my face to become clogged from keratin....as is the problem on the rest of my body. Anyways since my new skin care focus has been on healing my KP (using 2% salicylate acid gel at night...pores care face wash....and the porefessional matte rescue during the day) my skin has turned around and is getting better within a week...I have a long way to go but was wondering if you have ever considered this being a Cause of bad outcomes from procedures? I read ~ 40% of the population has this condition.
Looking for any other suggestions for clearing skin that has been clogged with keratin?
November 2, 2011
Hi, I'm so sorry what is happening to you! I'm going thru the same as you are, I will be 32 next week and feel miserable, 6 months ago I had a vitalize peel in this local spa, a month later had microdermabrasion, my skin is exactly how u describe it and it looks worse than yours, now I'm not sure if what the peel, the peel and The micro or sun exposure, the girl who did the procedure didn't tell me nothing, how to take care of it, nothing! So I live in Texas imagine how hot and sunny is here, I have two kids, So I was in the water parks with just a low SPF on my face! Terrible decision!!! I wish I can give you a hope, but honestly I can't I think my face get worse with time, I feel depress and have acne like never before, big cysts that leave a scar, before this peel I have a pimple and heal good, now is horrendous, I went to 3 derms already, first one gave me finacea and tretinoin cream, after 12 weeks I stop it because my skin looks bad, the next Derm told me to do 4 chemical peels, I left very quick! Last Derm gave me atralin gel( tretinoin) so I gave it a try, after one month that it was last oct 26 I stop it, because my skin is so bad, even if I know that it takes up to a year for tretinoin to really works, I'm scare that I'm doing more damage than good. Well this weekend I will drive all the way to Oklahoma to my old esthetician, that I trust to see if she can tell me what's going on and if is any chance for my skin to at least looks better! I feel not hope but I will go anyway. I know what you going thru! I cry everyday I look in the mirror, is hard to accept this, my life is ruined and my family is suffering because I don't want to live sometimes, anyway I met a girl here, on realself, she told me about osmosis skincare, emu oil, copper peptides, rosehip oil and also tretinoin, but I'm not an expert so I really will tell u to see a dermatologist and see if u find a good one! You are not alone! I hope your skin get better, you can send me messages if u want, I know how it is to feel lonely and nobody either understand you, or tell u to get over it, oe they are tired of hearing the same over and over! Take care!
May 11, 2012
hi,having a Sciton Micro-Laser peel ,a series of 5 or 6 3-4 weeks apart,as many as you want till you see improvement in your skin texture.
I'm really sorry to hear about what you're going through.
I'm having a really bad day today myself. I'm just terrified about what's happening to my skin. It's like it's aged by 10 years in the space of a few months.
The Accent laser caused some damaged but it seemed to have stablilized but I think the VI peel caused some delayed cell death or something as it's just getting worse every day.
I've caught glimpses of my skin in different lights today and I nearly had a panic attack. I feel like I've got the skin of a 50-year-old woman.
You can't really see it from the pics but I'll post some more in different lights.
I'm terrified...I've been doing dermarolling for about 3 weeks - 0.5mm every 3 days with Vit E and C and oils. Just type dermaroller into Google and you'll see lots of info. I bought it at a dermatologists. I've seen a little improvement but I'm afraid it's not enough to slow the damage that's appearing in front of my eyes.
Has anyone tried dermarolling?
I feel like my face has been destroyed for money. Like most people on here, I was trying to be proactive about aging and my skin - that's why I went to a doctor for the treatment. Instead they took my money and left me with a face that's dying.
I've got huge pores, bumps, dents, lines, groves, holes, sagging, dry patches, stains and just nightmarish texture.
Sometimes I manage to keep it in perspective but there are other days when I just feel so sick about it.
Can anyone give me some advice?
I have been suffering with embarrassing acne and hyperpigmentation for the past six years. I was also unhappy with the fine lines I started noticing under my eyes at the age of 24. I decided to see a paramedical esthetician to try and do something about the qualms I had with my skin.
I did several rounds of light therapy, which did lighten my hyperpigmentation and also helped keep breakouts at bay for about two weeks at a time.
Then I wanted to move on to something that would help alleviate the large pores in my t-zone, pock marks along my jawline, and also the fine lines I was developing under my eyes.
After speaking with my paramedical esthetician about this, we decided that I would do a treatment with an ablative laser. It was the most physically painful thing I have ever experienced, but I had this dream of my skin being amazing once it was all said and done.
I was told that I would peel for roughly a week, that I should notice a slight improvement by the end of that week, but to expect most of the improvement over the course of the next two to three months.
I did peel for seven days, and when I was done peeling, there was no difference in my skin. My face was still red and healing, so I told myself to give it time and hoped that things would improve. All I could do was take gentle care of my skin the way I was instructed and wait it out.
The weeks went by, and I saw my skin getting worse, not better. My skin looked and felt drier, the lines under my eyes were more pronounced than ever before, and the pores on my face started playing connect the dots! When you made the comment about your pores joining together to form lines, I felt compelled to tell you of my experience. I had never realized that pores could do this, but I certainly found out after my laser treatment. The ablative procedure was much too harsh on my skin, to the point that it seems damaged beyond repair. It’s as though the structure of my pore walls are permanently weakened and keep expanding.
I had this procedure done one year ago, and I am still dealing with the consequences. I have seen countless pores expand and become extremely visible in the past year. Not only that, but I feel that the lines under my eyes age me about ten years. I don't look the way a 25 year old should look. I am very self conscious about it - to the point that it depresses me. I did not get what I wanted out of this procedure, and if I could take it all back, I would.
I had originally wanted to do a fractional non-ablative laser procedure, however my esthetician's office did not have the updated technology. She told me that she could treat my skin with the ablative laser, and while it required more down time, I should get the same end result. I don't know what the outcome would have been had I received treatment with the fractional non-ablative laser, but I do know that the ablative procedure was much too harsh on my skin.
Recently, I saw a brochure for the VI peel. The before and afters featured in this brochure were amazing. The VI peel is said to correct all of the issues I am concerned with: acne, scars, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines. So, I called and asked my esthetician for more details about this peel. She told me that she did a lot of research on the VI peel before deciding to bring it into her office, and that people seem to love it. For a moment I considered going down this road, but I was very nervous to try such a high grade (and expensive) peel, and also worried that my skin would worsen as it did with the laser.
Considering what I've already been through, I realize this sounds crazy, but the VI peel has been on my mind. This is why I decided to do a little bit of research about it. I am glad that I found your blog post, and that I have learned of the possible side effects. Because you are right, sometimes people in the medical spa field don't disclose the potential downside of these treatments. While these side effects may be rare, I have decided not to go the VI route.
Thank you for sharing your story, thoughts, and feelings. I know my story was pretty long winded, but I feel relieved that I found a blog in which I can share my experience with people who have gone through similar circumstances.
It upsets me that all of this happened in the name of vanity. I wish I could have just been happy with what I had. I thought I was doing a good thing for my skin, but came out with saddening results.
While I realize it is not a miracle fix, you could consider microdermabrasion in conjunction with LIGHT chemical peels. Several years ago I had a series of these treatments done. I enjoyed the experience, however I think I waited too long in between treatments. This led to me not seeing significant results. But if you have the time and the money, maybe receiving these treatments in two week intervals could help out with your texture a bit.
I hope that things get better for you. It is important to surround yourself with people who are supportive and loving. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have my husband to lean on when I'm feeling down about things.
Take care!