The VI Peel is one of the latest chemical peels to getting 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. And let’s face it, by today’s instant gratification standards, the VI Peel sounds like a dream come true. But here at Byrdie, we 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’ve orchestrated a panel of doctors, experts, and Vi Peel practitioners to get the full story on everything you need to know about the treatment.
We talked to dermatologist Amanda Doyle of Russak Dermatology, Skin Authority founder Celeste Hilling, Charlotte Birnbaum of Spring Street Dermatology, and Tapan Patel of London’s PHI Clinic, who shared their thoughts on and experiences with the VI Peel.
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. All this with minimal downtime and discomfort. Described by its founders as a “great first-time peel for all age groups who want fresh, healthy, radiant skin,” the VI Peel seems to be a fix-all for a variety of skin types and conditions.
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.
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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 is 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.
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