Chemical Peel Progress

My chemical peel progress is going great. I feel like my skin has come a long way since I started diligently and consistently doing at-home chemical peels a few years ago.

Here are some pictures to record my progress in the last two years (I will be 50 at the end of 2013):

November 2012 (click on to enlarge):

Taken 11/20/12

 October 2010 (click on to enlarge):

Taken 10/15/10

I have sunscreen on in the picture from yesterday, so the zinc acts a bit as makeup and makes my skin look lighter, and the coloring in the pictures is different, but I see fine lines in the 2010 picture that seem filled in a bit in the picture from yesterday. The building of underlying collagen helps, but this is not an overnight process--it takes months to see benefits from 2-3 peels.

Over the last two years, I've done about 12 at-home TCA chemical peels. I've completed one chemical peel this season and have been prepping for my 2nd chemical peel by using a retinol. I've worked up to using my retinol every other night, and I have a few tips if you are experiencing sensitive skin, redness, irritation, flakes, or other side effects.

I've noticed since I bought a counter-top water filter that filters out chlorine, I can use my retinol more frequently without redness or irritation. I bought the water filter for drinking water, but then I decided that I'd try it on my face, so I moved the filter to my bathroom, and I love it!

The other thing that I've changed is moisturizers. I stopped using my old favorite, which had a petroleum base, and I switched to organic shea butter. This is great for hiding flakes, and it does NOT break out my uber acne-prone skin. I am still using my copper tri-peptide lotion 1-2 times per week with my retinol, but I am primarily moisturizing with the shea butter. Remember - do not use a copper peptide continually. It should be used for a few days on then a few days off.

How is your chemical peel progress?

Vi Peel Chemical Peel

I'm ready for my next peel, and I'm toying with the Vi Peel (VI peel or ViPeel).  I’m dying to try it, but no one has been able tell me the exact percentage of each ingredient or the pH level, and that concerns me!

Who’s done the Vi Peel or has inside info? Can you post your feedback?

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients and comments from the ViPeel website:

TCA  - Trichloroacetic Acid for penetration, deep scar healing;
stimulates collagen growth;

Retin-A  - acid derived from vitamin A to combat wrinkles;

Salicylic Acid  - this beta hydroxy acid (BHA) is an exfoliant;

Phenol  - has antiseptic and anesthetic properties;  aids in skin penetration;

Vitamin C  - ascorbic acid has antioxidant and mild exfoliation properties

 

Downtime

This peels appears to take about a week from start to finish, so prepare for downtime. 

Cost

The average cost for the Vi Peel is about $300, depending on your location.

Photos of Vi Peel Chemical Peel

Here are some pictures from others who have done the Vi Peel:

This person said it was the strongest peel offered by the spa--and that it's not for everyone.

Really interested to hear what others have to say about this one! 

Reviews of the Vi Peel

There are mixed reviews for this peel; it gets about a 65% approval rating. Check this site to see what others had to say. 

If you've had the Vi Peel done, please post your comments. We'd all love to hear more about it.