A chemical peel is a type of skin resurfacing procedure. It uses different combinations of chemicals in order to remove the outer layers of the skin in order to improve its appearance and texture.
Chemical peels can treat unwanted pigment, discoloration, acne, scars, fine lines and wrinkles and textural changes. The type of chemical peel used is dependent upon the patient’s aesthetic goals, allowable downtime and desired outcome.
What are the types of chemical peels?
Chemical peels are defined by how deep they penetrate and are either superficial or “light”, medium or deep depth. Superficial peels are great for exfoliation and milder symptoms such as active acne or pigments, medium depth are a good choice for deeper pigments and some textural changes like light acne scarring and deep depth are best for intense resurfacing from deep acne scars and deep wrinkles.
- Superficial or Light – use mild acids to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and only penetrates the outer most layers of skin (epidermis). Little to no downtime needed.
- Medium – uses higher concentration of a combination of acids to penetrate epidermis as well as the upper portion of the dermis to help remove damaged cells. 5-10 days of downtime
- Deep – often a phenol or TCA acid that penetrates down to the mid-to-lower dermis to remove severely damaged cells. Often requires anesthetic or sedation. 2-4 weeks of downtime.
What types of chemical peels do you offer?
We offer a medium-depth peel called the VIPeel. The VIPeel is our peel of choice due to it ability to be used safely on all skin types without requiring any type of pre-treatment. It’s quick and painless application as well as it’s consistent results is also why it’s secured it’s place as the go-to peel.
We offer the VI Purify Precision Peel and VI Precision Plus Peel. Both are medium-depth peels that improve tone, texture and collagen production in addition to treating acne and pigment, respectively. They both require about 7 days of downtime.
- VI Purify Precision Peel – for acne and acne scarring. It reduces sebum and P. acne bacteria on the skin and unclogs congested pores as well as fades old acne scarring and pigmentation. Contains TCA, Phenol, Salicylic Acid, Retinoic Acid and Ascorbic Acid plus Benzoyl Peroxide, Hydroquinone and Kojic acid.
- VI Precision Plus Peel – for skin discoloration. Includes a lighten and brighten booster. It exfoliates and reduces pigmentation from sun damage as well as melasma and promotes rapid cell turn over. Contains TCA, Phenol, Salicylic Acid, Retinoic Acid and Ascorbic Acid plus Hydroquinone and Kojic acid.
Chemical Peel Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prepare for my VIPeel?
The VIPeel does not require any medical pre-treatment, regardless of skin type. Patients do need to avoid sun exposure for 2 week prior to the peel as well as stop using nay ‘active ingredients’ (i.e. retinols glycolic acids, salicylic acids, etc.) 3-5 days prior to the peel. The entire peel application last about 20-30 minutes, is relatively painless and patients are given an at-home post-peel kit to take home in order to finish the steps of the peel and take care of their skin post-peel.
How do I take care of my skin after a VIPeel?
All patients go home with a post-peel VIPeel kit that includes additional steps and products to apply at home following to peel in order the complete the peel process and protect their new skin. Patients must avoid direct sun exposure and make-up for 7 days following their peel and exercise, excessive sweating and heat for 3-4 days following their peel.
Patients usually start to peel around day 2-3, with the most peeling days 3-5 followed by light flaking days 6-7. It is very important that patients allow the peeling process to occur uninterrupted and refrain from picking or removing the peeling skin. Patients may resume non-active skin care products on day 6-7 and active skin care products on days 7-10.
How often should I do a VIPeel?
We recommend a series of 3 VIPeels spaced 4-6 weeks apart for every patient. For patients with more severe acne or pigmentation we recommend a series of 5-6 peels every 4-6 weeks.
Can I combine the VIPeel with other procedures?
Yes! Neurotoxins and fillers can be combined with a VIPeel during the same treatment time. The ToxBooster specially combines Neurotoxins (i.e. Botox) with a ViPeel on the same day to enhance the anti-wrinkle effectives of both products.
