One of the quickest, easiest, and not to mention non-invasive ways to get glowy, plump, and hyperpigmentation-free skin is to get a chemical peel. And the newest one on the block? The VI Peel. It’s gaining a lot of attention because of its high-impact, minimal-downtime approach. It’s a blend of acids, retinol, vitamins, and minerals that goes beyond a general resurfacing peel to treat specific conditions, including acne and acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines and wrinkles.

But like you, we here at Byrdie like to take a closer look at the facts behind treatments with glow-promising results, like the VI Peel, to see if they deliver. We spoke with board-certified dermatologists Amanda Doyle, MD, FAAD, Charlotte Birnbaum, MD, as well as the Medical Director of London’s PHI Clinic, Tapan Patal, MBBS, and Skin Authority founder Celeste Hilling, who shared their thoughts on and experiences with the VI Peel. 

Read on to learn everything you need to know about the VI Peel, including benefits, potential side effects, and cost.

What is the VI Peel? 

The VI Peel, from the Los Angeles-based Vitality Institute, is a chemical peel that addresses fine lines and wrinkles, acne and acne scarring, hyperpigmentation due to sun damage and melasma, and promotes overall smoother skin texture by refining pores, controlling oil, and stimulating collagen production.

The secret? It all comes down to the synergistic blend of active ingredients, including trichloroacetic acid (TCA), retinoic acid, salicylic acid, phenol, vitamin C, and a blend of minerals, which, according to Patel, “all have wonderful benefits, like improving texture and tone, rejuvenating the skin, and helping to prevent further damage.” It also contains pain-numbing ingredients to lessen the burning sensation—doing away with it altogether for some patients. “The VI Peel is less about actually making the skin peel and more about infusing it with ingredients that will have beneficial effects,” he added.

Benefits of the VI Peel

There are five different versions of the VI Peel available, each tailored to a specific concern; however, the overall benefits include: 

• Reducing acne and surface acne scars: The VI Peel packs a one-two punch for those afflicted with acne, helping treat symptoms while lessening the scars it can leave behind. Patel says: “It smoothes skin texture, brightens dark areas, soothes inflammation, and increases collagen to plump depressed or pitted skin. Ice pick scars, rolling scars, and boxcar scars can all be treated.” According to Patel, all scars respond to the VI Peel differently, and multiple sessions or combination treatment may be necessary.
• Diminishing sun spots and hyperpigmentation: According to Doyle, the synergistic blend of ingredients in the VI Peel is ideal for brightening skin, diminishing sunspots, and leaving the complexion with a refreshing glow. 
• Smoothing over fine lines and wrinkles: The combination of acids, antioxidants, and exfoliants penetrates skin deeply, causing, as Hilling says, a “resurfacing process that stimulates new cell production including collagen and elastin for a smoother, firmer, more youthful appearance.”

While the original VI Peel covers all the above bases, Doyle explained how the other versions deliver more intense, specialized treatments, such as the VI Peel Purify Precision Plus, used on acne-prone skin and acne scarring. Once you schedule your VI Peel consultation, your doctor or esthetician can help you decide which version is most suitable.

What’s in the VI Peel 

Here’s everything you need to know about the VI Peel from the inside-out: 

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and Phenol: If you’re familiar with chemical peels, you’re likely well-versed in both of these skin-smoothers. According to Birnbaum, the combination of TCA and phenol creates “a controlled injury of the skin, leading to regeneration and resulting in increased collagen and elastin production.” Patel points out the individual benefits of each. “TCA clears away dead skin cells to reveal the new skin layers below to treat concerns like skin discoloration, scarring, and wrinkles,” while “Phenol is often used to treat deeper concerns like sun damage, pigmentation, and facial lines.”

Salicylic Acid: The same go-to active in many acne products, gives the VI Peel an extra boost of breakout-busting power. “Salicylic acid is used to exfoliate the skin and clean the pores, can reduce mild breakouts of whiteheads and blackheads, and prevents future skin breakouts,” Patel says. 

Retinoic Acid: “Retinoid acid is a derivative of vitamin A,” Doyle says. “It helps to regulate growth and differentiation of skin cells, resulting in a reduction in acne, inflammation, and oil production.” It’s also where the VI Peel’s anti-aging benefits come in; Hilling touts the ingredient’s ability to exfoliate, firm, and volumize the skin. 

Vitamin C: The ingredient of the moment, Vitamin C, is included in the VI Peel as “a powerful antioxidant that counters some of the damaging effects of the sun and pollution, reducing pigmentation and improving the appearance of the skin,” says Doyle. Not to mention its collagen-boosting properties, which Hilling says are instrumental in plumping skin and smoothing over wrinkles. 

Hydroquinone, Kojic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, Hydrocortisone: Birnbaum explains how the more targeted versions of the VI Peel might contain the above ingredients for their abilities to target breakouts, hyperpigmentation, and inflammation. 

How to Prepare for the Vi Peel

As with any procedure, start by researching to decide if you’re a good candidate for the VI Peel. While it’s generally considered safe for virtually every skin type, those with susceptible skin, impaired wound healing, conditions such as eczema, diabetic skin issues, psoriasis, and autoimmune skin conditions, as well as those with darker skin types for whom peels and laser treatments may pose an extra risk, should avoid the VI Peel. Birnbaum also stresses the importance of zero sun exposure for a significant period, both before and after the treatment. “Sun exposure on or after skin that has been injured can lead to a burn, poor healing, and hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation,” she says. 

What to Know Before a VI Peel

If you think the VI Peel is for you, start with a proper evaluation to ensure it’s the correct choice for your skin type. Hilling points out that the VI Peel doesn’t require a physician to administer, so it’s essential to ensure that your practitioner is reputable and fully informed of all known concerns in terms of both skin and general health—including if you’re pregnant or nursing. She also adds that if you’ve never had a peel before or are unsure about your tolerance to acids, you should inquire about a patch test. 

What to Expect During a VI Peel

Regarding chemical peels, the VI Peel is considered non-invasive, and most patients agree it’s painless. Patel says some of his patients reported a “mild tingling, like pins and needles,” but nothing too severe. It’s also fast, taking about 30 minutes from start to finish. Hilling, however, was quick to point out that despite being described as having no downtime, it’s common to experience significant peeling over the first four to five days after treatment. 

Potential Side Effects

Overall, side effects tend to be minimal. As we said, skin will peel—a lot—afterward, and Hilling stresses the importance of resisting the urge to pick or peel away at the skin to avoid scarring. This is especially important for those with darker skin tones. Patel added that some patients might experience some skin discoloration around three days after treatment, though it dissipates independently. 

The Cost 

The average price of a VI Peel tends to hover between $400-$500 a session; however, the final cost depends on how many treatments you are recommended based on your skincare goals as well as where you go to receive treatment. If you’re looking for an overall refresh that’s a few steps above what you can get at home, then one VI Peel session may be all you need, but many of our experts, including Hilling, agree that the VI Peel is not typically a one-time treatment. Depending on the level of advancement of your skin concern, it can take three to four sessions to achieve the desired outcome. 

Aftercare 

In addition to resisting any urges to pick, peel, or even touch your face, aftercare is relatively easy and involves sticking to the post-care instructions you’ll receive after treatment, such as using sunscreen and moisturizer as instructed. Also, stay away from aggressive ingredients such as acids and retinols until given the all-clear by your practitioner, or you’ll risk harming your skin’s barrier function, which is vital for proper healing. 

The Final Takeaway

Now that we’ve covered everything you need to know about the VI Peel, it seems like it’s the apotheosis of today’s beauty culture: minimal effort, maximum impact, total innovation. If you’ve always considered taking the peel plunge but were afraid of the downtime, the VI Peel might be the beauty fix you’re after.