What to Expect After Your First VI Peel

When you begin trying out chemical peels on your skin, you may not know what to expect. Chemical peels come in many types, each with a different chemical blend and effect. 

Our VI peel is the best medium-intensity peel, with a combination of acids and vitamin C. Our team of providers at the Center for Women’s Health in Sugar Land and Richmond, Texas, discusses what to expect from your first VI peel.

What can a VI peel do?

The VI peel can deliver a lot of great results. After applying the peel to your skin, we remove it and reveal better-looking skin.

A VI peel may be a good choice for treating:

• Acne scars
• Uneven skin tone
• Uneven skin texture
• Fine lines and wrinkles

While the VI peel can reveal younger-looking and fresher skin for some people, certain people with darker skin tones should avoid it, as chemical treatments may pose a higher risk to them.

What’s in a VI peel?

A VI peel contains several effective acids, which work well to remove the layer of dead skin that sits on the surface of your face. 

Here are five key ingredients in a VI peel and what they do for your skin:

• Phenol penetrates through layers of old and damaged skin and moisturizes
• Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) smooths fine lines and wrinkles at medium depth
• Retinoic acid comes from vitamin A and stimulates skin cell renewal
• Salicylic acid breaks down skin bumps like acne and acne scars
• Vitamin C promotes collagen production and evens out your skin tone

VI peels penetrate the epidermis, the top layer of the skin, to remove imperfections and support your skin’s natural ability to heal itself.

What can I expect during and after the peel?

Before your chemical peel, your provider may ask you for a general health history. If you have conditions that impact wound healing and skin recovery, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a darker skin tone, you should probably avoid a VI peel. Otherwise, most women of all skin types are good candidates for this procedure.

During the procedure, the technician begins by thoroughly cleaning your skin. After cleaning your skin, the technician applies the chemical peel in two stages. 

During the first layer, you may feel tingling and numbness. During the second layer, your skin turns white or “frosts.” The VI peel burns less than other peels thanks to pain-numbing ingredients in the chemical blend, and for many, the VI peel is painless.

Afterward, your provider usually sends you home with a special moisturizer, which you apply about 4-6 hours after the procedure. Your skin naturally begins to peel about three days later, revealing a healthy and supple layer of rejuvenated skin.

What does VI peel aftercare involve?

When you get a VI peel, you should take precautions to ensure optimal aftercare. First, you should use the special moisturizer your provider gave you 2-4 times per day.

Additionally, avoid direct sunlight while your skin is recovering from the peel. You can use sunscreen to minimize the damage from sun exposure if you need to be outside, but your best bet is to limit exposure to the sun as much as possible.

The results from the peel fade away after several months as your skin evens out and looks closer to its original appearance. Many patients opt for regular peels every few months to maintain the quality of their skin.

If you’re interested in getting a VI peel, it could drastically change your skin for the better. Contact our team of providers at the Center for Women’s Health or request an appointment online.