What Is a VI Peel?
A VI Peel is a chemical peel: a chemical solution that a trained provider applies to the skin to remove the top layers so smoother skin can grow back. Chemical peeling is also called chemexfoliation.
The medical sources for this entry describe chemical peels in general, not the VI Peel formula itself. Ask your provider which acids it contains and how deep it is meant to go.
VI Peel at a Glance
| Type of treatment | In-office chemical peel |
|---|---|
| What it treats | Fine lines, sun damage, age spots, freckles, melasma, uneven or dull skin tone, rough skin and some acne |
| How it works | Acids cause a controlled injury. Damaged layers peel off, and healing builds new skin and collagen. |
| How it's given | Applied to cleansed skin in an office |
| Recovery | 1 to 7 days for a light peel. 7 to 14 days for a medium peel. |
| How long results last | Not permanent, because skin keeps aging |
| Side effects | Redness, peeling, temporary darkening or lightening of skin. Scarring is rare. |
| FDA status | The FDA has not approved any chemical peel product. |
How Does a VI Peel Work?
A VI Peel works the way all chemical peels do: acids create a controlled injury that makes damaged top layers of skin peel away, and the healing response builds fresh skin, including new collagen and elastin.
Light peels reach only the epidermis, the outer skin layer. Medium peels reach the top of the dermis, the middle layer. Depth depends on the chemicals, their strength, the number of coats and your skin type. A systematic review of five studies found that trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels significantly improved sun-damaged facial skin.
What Does a VI Peel Treat, and Who Is It For?
A VI Peel is for people who want better skin tone and texture on the face, neck, chest or hands. Dermatologists use chemical peels to treat:
- Fine lines, especially under the eyes and around the mouth
- Sun-damaged skin, age spots and freckles
- Melasma, uneven skin tone and dull or rough skin
- Some types of acne
Peels can't remove deep scars or wrinkles or tighten sagging skin.
What to Expect Before, During and After a VI Peel
A VI Peel is done in an office, and recovery depends on how deep it reaches.
Before
Tell your provider if you have taken isotretinoin, get cold sores or scar easily, and list all your medicines. Some patients follow a pre-peel skin care plan for 2 to 4 weeks. You may be told to avoid tanning for two weeks and stop retinoids one to two weeks before.
During
As the solution goes on, you may feel warmth for a few minutes, then stinging.
After
- Light peel: redness, then scaling for 3 to 7 days. Makeup is usually fine right away or the next day.
- Medium peel: redness and swelling that worsens for 48 hours. Skin crusts and peels off over 7 to 14 days. You may need an antiviral medicine for 10 to 14 days and a follow-up visit.
VI Peel Results and How Long They Last
VI Peel results show once the skin heals, and they are not permanent. Light-peel results are subtle and build with repeat peels, often 3 to 5 spaced 2 to 5 weeks apart. Medium peels can be repeated every 6 to 12 months if needed. Full results and normal skin color can take several months.
VI Peel Risks and Side Effects
VI Peel side effects tend to be mild with an experienced provider, but can include:
- Redness, which can last for months after a medium peel
- Darker or lighter skin, more common in brown or black skin and sometimes permanent
- Infection, including a cold sore flare-up
- Scarring, which is rare
Never use a high-strength peel at home. The FDA warns they can cause severe chemical burns and disfiguring scars.
Who Shouldn't Have a VI Peel?
A VI Peel may not be right for you if you took isotretinoin in the past six months, are pregnant, have a history of keloids or frequent cold sores, have an active skin infection or open wounds, or can't avoid the sun while healing. Breastfeeding, smoking and poor wound healing are also concerns, especially for medium and deep peels.
VI Peel vs. Other Chemical Peels
A VI Peel is one type of chemical peel, while light, medium and deep describe how far any peel reaches into the skin.
| What it is | Healing time | Repeat? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| VI Peel | Chemical peel. Ask which acids it contains. | Depends on depth | Ask your provider |
| Light peel | Glycolic or salicylic acid. Outer layer only. | 1 to 7 days | Every 2 to 5 weeks |
| Medium peel | TCA, sometimes with glycolic acid | 7 to 14 days | Every 6 to 12 months if needed |
| Deep peel | Phenol, in a surgical setting | 14 to 21 days | Only once on the face |
VI Peel at GENEVA
A VI Peel evaluation at GENEVA Primary Care & Med Spa in Alpharetta, GA, starts with a provider reviewing your skin concern and medical history. Your provider then recommends treatment at GENEVA or a referral to a specialist. Learn more about chemical peels at GENEVA or skin pigmentation treatment. GENEVA serves patients from Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell and Cumming.
Related Terms
- TCA peel
- Melasma
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
- Fine lines
- Actinic keratosis
- Medical-grade skincare
VI Peel FAQs
Is a VI Peel a light or medium peel?
A VI Peel's depth depends on its formula and how it is applied, so ask your provider which category their version falls into. Light peels reach only the outer layer of skin and heal in 1 to 7 days. Medium peels reach the top of the middle layer and heal in 7 to 14 days. Depth is set by the chemicals, their strength and the number of coats. Deeper peels bring bigger results but more complications.
How long does it take to recover from a VI Peel?
VI Peel recovery takes from a few days to about two weeks, depending on how deep the peel goes. After a light peel, skin heals in 1 to 7 days, with redness and then scaling. After a medium peel, swelling worsens for 48 hours, and skin crusts and peels off over 7 to 14 days. Redness after a medium peel can last for months. Call your provider if your skin burns, itches or swells.
How many VI Peel treatments do you need?
The number of VI Peel treatments depends on your goals and the depth of the peel. For light peels, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) notes you may need 3 to 5 peels, repeated every 2 to 5 weeks. Medium peels can be repeated every 6 to 12 months if needed. Results are not permanent, because skin keeps aging and new sun damage builds up. Daily sunscreen after healing helps them last longer.
Is a VI Peel safe for dark skin?
People with darker skin can often have chemical peels safely, but the risk of skin color changes is higher, so provider experience matters. Light peels can generally be used on all skin types. Color changes after a peel are more common in brown or black skin and can be permanent. The AAD advises people with skin of color to see a provider with expertise in peeling darker skin tones, since inexperience can lead to permanent pigment problems.
Is the VI Peel FDA approved?
No, the VI Peel is not FDA approved, because the FDA has not approved any chemical peel products. The agency advises using chemical peels only under the supervision of a dermatologist or a licensed, trained practitioner. In July 2024, it warned that some peels sold in stores and online, with high levels of TCA, glycolic, salicylic or lactic acid, can cause severe chemical burns, infection, skin color changes and disfiguring scars. Choose an in-office peel from a trained provider over an at-home kit.
What should you avoid after a VI Peel?
After a VI Peel, avoid the sun, tanning beds, makeup before healing, and picking or scratching peeling skin. The AAD says these mistakes sharply raise the risk of infection and scarring. Keep skin moisturized as directed, because skin that dries and cracks can scar. Once your skin heals, apply sunscreen every day to protect the new skin and maintain results. Contact your provider promptly if your treated skin burns, itches or swells.
Can a primary care provider evaluate you for a VI Peel?
Yes. A primary care provider can review your skin, medical history and medicines to see whether a VI Peel or other chemical peel is a good fit, including isotretinoin use, pregnancy, cold sores and keloids. At GENEVA in Alpharetta, a provider evaluates your concern and then recommends treatment at GENEVA or a referral to a specialist. The AAD notes that peel results depend largely on the skill of the person performing it, so ask about experience with skin like yours.