A Painless Chemical Peel with Little Downtime?
Is there a painless chemical peel with little downtime? We say if there is, bring it on!
For years I’ve contemplated getting a TCA (Trichloroacetic) peel at the dermatologist office to diminish my collective years of sun damage and melasma (hyper-pigmentation). At each derm visit this procedure is mentioned to me and I always ask my doctor to tell me about the procedure and downtime.
But as soon as my doctor starts to describe the procedure and the pain involved — intense burning sensations and itching, I start to cringe. Each year, I’m disappointed to be reminded that the downtime for TCA peels is a whomping ten days plus.
It’s ten days of active hiding, looking so unsightly that you won’t even want to do the Starbucks drive-thru run or take your kids to soccer. Let’s face it, not even Nicole Richie sunglasses are big enough to hide skin on your face that is bright red and molting off like a cobra in transition!
Who has that kind of downtime — to “disappear” for ten days? I don’t.
Alas, when I first learned of the new Vi Peel (made by Vitality Institute, South Beach, Florida) it sounded simply too good to be true. The Vi Peel is supposedly designed to, “reverse the signs of aging and sun damage”. It is a combination of phenol acids, vitamin C, and Retin-A and takes about five minutes to apply.
Now, I’ve been promised that the pain is minimal — about the same as getting a glycolic peel during a facial — and that the only downtime, per se, is some “light peeling” that is more annoying than embarrassing. You peel slightly for about a week, revealing an end-result of clearer, brighter and tighter skin.
I’ve heard it also works wonders for acne sufferers as it was developed by an ER doctor who apparently made it for his teenage daughter who was suffering from severe acne. It worked so well on her, he decided to try it for other skin improvements, and sure enough, multiple benefits.
So after discussing this new peel with both my dermatologist and facialist (and checking out a lot of before and after picks), I think I’m sold. I’m going to put my face on the line and go for it. Will it actually shave 5+ years off my face? We’ll see, but after seeing several before-and-after picks and doing the research, I’m actually optimistic about this one.
I’m going to wait until September or October so that I’m assured that I won’t ruin the effects with accidental summer sun exposure following the procedure (it is highly recommended that you stay completely out of the sun following having this procedure as your top superficial layer is compromised as it sloughs off and rebuilds).
Has anyone out there tried the Vi Peel? If so, share your experience (in the Comments area below). Anyone had experience with any other peels–TCA, glycolic? Do share!
The new Vi Peel - Before & After Shots
Related Posts
- Posted in Skin Peels on August 13th, 2008
August 13th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
This is great to learn about, thanks Missy, great post. I had heard about this peel but thought it was the same thing as a glycolic acid peel, which I have tried (over the counter, not at a derm), but this sounds way better especially because it sounds like I would actually see some real improvements with the VIPEEL unlike the glycolic one I tried.
Also like the short recovery. How can anyone afford to not go out for days???
August 14th, 2008 at 5:57 am
[...] Is there a painless chemical peel with little downtime? I say if there is, bring it on! For years I’ve contemplated getting a TCA (Trichloroacetic) peel at the dermatologist office to diminish my collective years of sun damage and melasma (hyper-pigmentation). At each derm visit this procedure is me … Source: A Painless Chemical Peel with Little Downtime? [...]
August 21st, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Hi- Had my VI peel yesterday. Surprisingly, quite painless. Less painful than other peels I’ve had. Right now i’m a little bit itchy and red but nothing major. If this peel turns out as good as they say it does I’ll be sold.
August 30th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I found your site on faves.com bookmarking site.. I like it ..gave it a fave for you..ill be checking back later
September 1st, 2008 at 12:45 pm
[...] and to give a slight eye lift), perhaps photo rejuvenation; possibly a mild chemical peel like the Vi Peel; and maybe some Restylane to fill in the sagging jowls. She’s most likely receiving regularly [...]
September 12th, 2008 at 9:05 am
[...] menus of medi-spas usually also include microdermabrasion and agressive peels including glycolic, ViPeel and TCA. Medical spas usually offer an array of skin care products with active anti-aging ingredients. [...]