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VI Peel Guide: What You Need to Know Before Getting Started

By TOTAL BODY AESTHETIC  |  January 30, 2024

Author Credit TOTAL BODY AESTHETIC

Chemical peels have been a cornerstone of skincare for decades, but the VI Peel has redefined what patients can expect from this time-tested treatment category. Unlike older chemical peels that were often associated with significant discomfort, extended downtime, and unpredictable results, the VI Peel delivers powerful skin transformation with minimal pain, manageable recovery, and consistent outcomes across a wide range of skin types and tones. For patients in Westchester, Los Angeles, and the surrounding South Bay communities seeking smoother, clearer, more radiant skin, the VI Peel has become one of the most popular and effective treatment options available.

At Total Body Aesthetic in Westchester, Los Angeles 90045, we have seen firsthand how the VI Peel can transform our patients' skin and confidence. Whether you are dealing with acne scars, sun damage, melasma, fine lines, uneven texture, or simply want to refresh your complexion, understanding what the VI Peel is, how it works, and what to expect during the process will help you feel prepared and excited about your treatment.

What Is the VI Peel

The VI Peel is a medium-depth chemical peel that uses a synergistic blend of powerful ingredients including trichloroacetic acid (TCA), salicylic acid, phenol, vitamin C, and tretinoin. This proprietary formulation works at multiple layers of the skin to accelerate cell turnover, stimulate collagen production, and address a wide range of skin concerns simultaneously. Unlike single-acid peels that target only one aspect of skin health, the VI Peel's multi-acid formula allows it to treat aging, acne, hyperpigmentation, and textural irregularities all at once.

One of the most significant advantages of the VI Peel is its safety profile across all skin types, including darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick types IV through VI) that are traditionally at higher risk for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation with other chemical peel formulations. The VI Peel's carefully calibrated blend minimizes this risk while still delivering meaningful results. This inclusivity makes it an excellent option for the diverse patient population we serve in Playa Vista, Marina del Rey, Culver City, Inglewood, and throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

VI Peel Formulations for Different Concerns

The VI Peel is available in several formulations, each designed to target specific skin concerns. The VI Peel Original is the foundational formula suitable for all skin types and addresses general anti-aging, uneven tone, and texture improvement. VI Peel Precision Plus adds additional brightening boosters specifically targeting stubborn hyperpigmentation, melasma, and sun damage, making it an excellent choice for patients dealing with dark spots and discoloration.

VI Peel Purify is formulated specifically for acne-prone skin, combining the exfoliating and clarifying properties of the peel with ingredients that reduce oil production and kill acne-causing bacteria. VI Peel Purify with Precision Plus addresses both active acne and the dark marks and scarring it leaves behind. VI Peel Advanced targets more pronounced signs of aging including deeper wrinkles, significant sun damage, and loss of skin elasticity. During your consultation at Total Body Aesthetic, your provider will recommend the specific VI Peel formulation that best matches your skin concerns, type, and treatment goals.

How to Prepare for Your VI Peel

Proper preparation helps ensure the best possible results from your VI Peel treatment. In the two weeks leading up to your peel, discontinue the use of retinoids (tretinoin, retinol), exfoliating acids (glycolic, salicylic, lactic acid), and any products containing benzoyl peroxide. Avoid waxing, threading, or using depilatory creams on the treatment area for at least one week before your appointment. If you have a history of cold sores, notify your provider, as antiviral medication may be prescribed to prevent an outbreak triggered by the peel.

Avoid excessive sun exposure and tanning beds for at least two weeks before treatment. If you have been spending significant time outdoors enjoying the beautiful Southern California weather in El Segundo, Venice, or along the South Bay beaches, make sure your skin has recovered from any sunburn or tan before your peel. Arriving with skin that is not recently sun-exposed allows the peel acids to penetrate evenly and reduces the risk of complications. Continue using your daily broad spectrum sunscreen throughout the preparation period.

What to Expect During and After the Peel

The in-office VI Peel application takes approximately 30 minutes. Your provider will cleanse your skin thoroughly, then apply the peel solution in layers. You may feel a mild tingling or warmth as the acids begin to work, but the VI Peel is generally well-tolerated and significantly less uncomfortable than many other medium-depth peels. The solution remains on your skin and you leave the office with it in place. You will wash it off at home after a specified period, typically four to six hours after application.

In the days following your peel, your skin will go through a visible peeling process. Peeling typically begins around day three and continues through day five to seven. The peeling can range from light flaking to more substantial sheets of skin shedding, depending on the formulation used and your individual skin response. It is critical that you do not pick, pull, or forcefully remove peeling skin, as this can cause scarring and pigmentation issues. Let the skin shed naturally and follow the post-peel kit instructions exactly as provided. Most patients can return to their normal routines within seven days of treatment.

Results and Maintenance

Once the peeling process is complete, patients are consistently amazed by the improvement in their skin. The complexion appears noticeably brighter, smoother, and more even-toned. Fine lines are softened, pore size is reduced, acne breakouts diminish, and dark spots and discoloration fade significantly. Results continue to improve over the following weeks as the stimulated collagen production takes effect and new, healthy skin cells continue to replace damaged ones.

For optimal results, most patients benefit from a series of three to four VI Peels spaced four to six weeks apart, followed by maintenance peels every three to four months. Each successive treatment builds on the improvements from the previous one, delivering progressively better results. Between treatments, maintaining a consistent skincare routine with medical-grade products, daily sunscreen, and retinoid use (once cleared by your provider) helps protect and extend your results. Patients at Total Body Aesthetic from Ladera Heights, Westchester, and throughout the 90045 zip code find that incorporating VI Peels into their regular skincare maintenance produces the clearest, most radiant skin of their lives.

Schedule Your VI Peel at Total Body Aesthetic

If you are ready to experience the transformative power of the VI Peel, the team at Total Body Aesthetic is here to guide you through every step of the process. From selecting the right formulation for your skin concerns to providing detailed pre- and post-treatment instructions, we ensure that every patient feels informed, comfortable, and excited about their treatment. We serve patients throughout Westchester, Playa Vista, Marina del Rey, El Segundo, Culver City, Inglewood, Ladera Heights, Venice, the South Bay, and the greater Los Angeles area.