Chemical Peels
What is a Chemical Peel?
Chemical peels are the gold standard for medical conditions like acne and hyperpigmentation. This peel system is safe for all skin types (Fitzpatrick Skin Types I - VI), active acne, and melasma. This medical prescription peel contains Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA), a relative of vinegar that causes the top layers of cells to dry up and peel, Retinoid Acid (Vitamin A), a promoter of collagen and elastin, increases epidermal water, normalizes cell turnover, and inhibits melanin, Salicylic Acid, an anti-inflammatory BHA, Phenol, L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), a powerful antioxidant, Hydroquinone, a deep exfoliant and melanin inhibitor, Kojic Acid, found in mushrooms and soy which separates copper from tyrosinase in skin to brighten complexions, and Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO) which kills acne causing bacteria (aka P. acnes) and clears pores in the deep dermis.
What to expect from a Chemical Peel?
A prescription solution will be applied to your skin in-office that looks like a self-tanner gone wrong! This will remain on your face for 4 hours and then you must wash it off. This is considered Day 1, and on this day, once you wash off the solution, you will be slightly red, tight, dry, and itchy. This redness is not too extreme and wearing light makeup is okay.
Day 1
Day 2
You may be red, tight, dry, itchy.
You may be more red, more tight, more dry, more itchy
Day 3
You may be the most red, the most tight, the most dry, the most itchy, Peeling begins around the mouth and spread. Last areas to peel are the brows, neck, and hairline.
Day 4/5/6
Day 7
You may be more red, more tight, more dry, more itchy
Resume normal skincare, products may sting/burn.
Day 7-14
Residual dryness and redness can be normal. Increase moisturizer use
At-Home Support
You will receive a booklet with very specific instructions guiding your next 7 days. This is the preferred place to receive aftercare instructions from. You can download the VI peel app within the app store to access fun features, however the best aftercare instructions come from the booklet. After 4 hours, wash off the chemical peel applied in -office with the VI gentle cleanser given to you. You will go home with a peel kit containing additional acids, creams, and SPF all meant to wrk together.
Combination Treatments
A chemical peel is medically prescribed blend of ultra-high strength acids, retinols, vitamins, and phenols that induce medium to deep layer peeling of the dermis. This in combination with micro needling is incredibly effective for acne/ acne scarring and hyperpigmentation. This is also used to combat aging and allow for increased cell turnover, regeneration, and increased absorption of products. You can repeat the peel once a month until goals are achieved for extreme results.
Recommendations
Daily oral antihistamine use (Zyrtec/Claritin) will help with uncomfortable itch.
Cut loose skin with a scissor.​
Aquaphor can help with areas that feel raw around the base of the nose or corners of the mouth.​
Do not pick/pull skin off, otherwise serious and long-term complications like scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur.
Avoid workouts (only Days 1-3), direct sunlight (sunbathing, watersports, indirect sunlight exposure is okay), over cleansing, and excessively hot showers.
Not recommended for pregnant/breastfeeding
Excessively touching newly resurfaced skin can lead to folliculitis or other infections.
Not recommended for those allergic to aspirin or those who have used Accutane (isotretinoin) in the last 6 months.
Results
