Do you want to get a skin peel, but feel nervous about the process? Chemical peels can feel a bit daunting if you don’t know what to expect. Therefore, before you book a treatment, you will have an in-depth, personalized consultation with a dermatologist to determine whether a chemical peel is right for your skin goals. If a peel is an ideal choice for your skin, you will then begin the VI peel process.
Here we share how the VI peel process works, including what happens before the treatment begins, a day-by-day explanation of what you can expect throughout the treatment, and aftercare and maintenance. Let’s jump in!
Before Your VI Peel: How to Prepare
Chemical peels are designed to improve common skin concerns such as uneven tone, texture, acne, acne scars, melasma, sun damage, and signs of aging. So, to get the greatest results, preparation begins weeks before your appointment.
First is planning: You will want to schedule your appointment at least two weeks before any major events. This way, you have a refreshed, glowing complexion on the day of your event. If you don’t have a specific event coming up, you still want to ensure that in the week following your treatment, you limit your sun exposure and keep your skin clean. So, make sure you don’t plan it the week of beach vacation or when you want to do a big project in the backyard.
Second is skin preparation. A week before your appointment, you will want to pause any active ingredient skin routines, such as retinol, exfoliating acids, or harsh scrubs, to prevent extra sensitivity. Be sure to be upfront about your routines with your dermatologist and follow the pre-treatment instructions diligently.
Treatment Day: What Happens During the Peel?
The treatment day itself is quick and requires little downtime immediately afterward. During your appointment, one of our staff will cleanse your skin of any oil, makeup, or debris. Then, they will apply the VI Peel solution in layers. The peel doesn’t hurt, but you may feel some slight tingling or a warm sensation.
Once complete, you will leave with the peel solution still on your skin and be given a post-peel care kit with instructions on what to do.
VI Peel Process Day by Day: What to Expect
Day 1:
After you leave your treatment, you will leave the VI Peel solution on for at least six hours. Nothing is to be applied on top of the solution, and you must stay out of the sun. At the end of the day, before bedtime, you will wash the peel off and apply the towelette and skin solution provided in your post-peel kit.
Day 2:
On day 2, you may notice that your skin feels tighter, dry, or slightly darker in pigmentation. That is 100% normal.
In the morning, wash and dry your face, then apply the provided skin solutions. In the morning and throughout the day, you will want to actively apply SPF 30 sunscreen, especially if you are going to be outside or exposed to sunlight at all.
That evening, wash and dry your face, then apply the towelette and skin solution provided an hour before bedtime.
Day 3 and Day 4:
On days 3 and 4, visible peeling begins, often starting around the mouth, chin, and nose. Your skin will shed in thin, flaky layers, similar to what happens when you peel after a sunburn. It is very important that you don’t pick at or peel the skin, no matter how tempting it is. If you have any hanging skin, you can use sterilized manicure scissors to carefully clip away excess hanging skin without pulling.
Each morning, you will wash and dry your face. Then, in the morning, midday, and late afternoon, you will apply the skin solutions provided and add SPF 30 sunscreen. It is vital to apply the skin solution products and sunscreen three times a day.
Then, in the evening, wash and dry your face, and apply the skin solutions an hour before bedtime.
Day 5 and 6:
By day 5 and 6, your skin peeling should be mostly complete. You may have some mild flaking left, but the results of the treatment will already be starting to show.
However, that doesn’t mean it is over yet. As with days 3 and 4, you will want to follow the same morning, day, and evening routines.
Day 7:
By day 7, your new skin should be shining bright! Any skin concerns you had prior to the treatment will have noticeably improved. At this time, you will want to resume your skin routine or start the customized new routine we recommend for you.
Aftercare: How to Protect Your Results
Your skin will continue to improve in the following weeks after your treatment, providing a bright, smoother, clearer, and younger-looking complexion.
To keep your skin looking beautiful, it is vital to continue sun protection, perform twice-daily skin care routines, and consider monthly or quarterly maintenance peels for ongoing skin rejuvenation. If you are unsure what to do, speaking with your dermatologist is the best route to define a solution around your unique circumstances.
Got Questions? Knox Dermatology is Here to Give You Answers
Do you have a question about the VI peel process that wasn’t answered here? Please feel free to reach out to us at any time. We are more than happy to answer any questions you have or schedule a consultation with you to determine whether this treatment is right for your skin goals.