The VI Peel

WHY?

I wanted to try the VI Peel because it's slightly different from the alpha- and betahydroxy acids (AHA and BHA) and TriChloroacetic Acid (TCA) chemical peels I normally perform at home--and it's the only one I haven't been able to find for at-home use. I turned 53 in February, so I think it's important to maintain cell turnover, which slows as we age.

So I went to a dermatologist to get the VI Peel.

Just after she applied the 2nd mixture.

WHO'S IT FOR?

Much of the information below is from a flyer provided by my dermatologist, though I do not use their words verbatim.

Those who want to positively affect acne, fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, malasma, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, signs of aging, rosacea, oil production, and/or overall skin tone.


All skin type and ethnicities can safely use this type of chemical peel.

And I would add from personal experience, it's for new-comers to peeling.

WHAT'S IN IT?

According to the same flyer provided by my dermatologist, the VI Peel contains a mixture of salicylic acid, TriChloroacetic Acid (TCA), tretinoic acid, phenol, vitamin C, and some other (unlisted) nutrients and minerals combined to work synergistically to remove the upper-most layer of the skin. This process, as with any peel, is touted to promote cellular turnover and collagen growth. It also refines the surface layer for smoother, clearer, firmer skin that has a more youthful and radiant appearance.

PROCEDURE

These are the procedures followed by the dermatologist I saw outside the Houston, TX area:

-Cleansed face with wipes
-Applied a numbing solution to sit for about 20 minutes
-Cleansed face again
-Disinfected face
-Applied two different peeling agents
-Did NOT remove peeling solution

POST PROCEDURE

I was told to

-Keep the solution on for the next five (5) hours
-Avoid the sun
-Use additional wipes provided that contained a low-level retin-a to continue the peeling
-Don't pick or peel skin
-Use sunscreen, which I do every day!

DOWN TIME

As with so many procedures, many providers tell us there's "little to no downtime," but that's like when repairing something: it always varies by person and takes longer than usually expected.

In my experience, the VI Peel has just as much downtime as a 25% TCA peel in terms of discoloration and peeling, though the depth and peeling are not as extreme, so this may be a better choice for first-time peelers, though I'd expect just as much downtime.

Click to enlarge

I was pink in some areas for days, primarily around my mouth, though this picture really doesn't do it justice, and the angle is weird--too close to my chin, though none of my pictures showed the red or yellow well. Use flash in the future!

It took about three (3) days to start peeling, and that lasted for another three, but it wasn't severe or in "sheets," so I would have been able to go out if I'd camouflaged, though I definitely would NOT want to go to work.

MY THOUGHTS

When I compare my experience with those who've posted information and pictures, I feel I didn't experience as deep a peel as others, though I attribute this to my regimen of at-home chemical peels: there wasn't much exfoliation needed.


I won't do this again. Would I recommend it? Maybe for someone who does not do at-home chemical peels or is a first-time peeler. It just doesn't seem any better than what I achieve as a MUCH lower cost at home!

My experiences may not reflect those of other consumers. This is not a recommendation to do at-home chemical peels.