Kickstarting the body’s own regenerative processes, chemical peels are a time-honored way to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines in your face by forcing exfoliation and rejuvenation. Dr. Kimberly Hurvitz of Advanced Dermatology & Aesthetics Center in Santa Barbara, California chooses the VI Aesthetics VI Peel range of products to help you meet your cosmetic goals. Call or click today to book an appointment.

Vi Peel Q & A

What are chemical peels?

A chemical peel is a cosmetic procedure that promotes various levels of new tissue growth resulting in smoother, more youthful skin for your face.Chemical peels use a variety of formulations to achieve desired effects, from mild to major. Peels can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on your face, as well as reducing or eliminating skin discoloration and uneven skin tone.

The name “peel” comes from the fact that the chemicals used cause the skin to shed and peel off, similar to the after-effects of a sunburn, but in a more controlled manner and without harmful ultraviolet light. However, new skin after a peel is more sensitive to sun exposure. Peel strength can be roughly divided into three classes.

What are the various strengths of chemical peels?

“Lunchtime” peels are the most superficial of the three strengths. Lunchtime peels entail no recovery downtime so you can literally have one on your lunchbreak. These peels use mild acids, such as alpha-hydroxy acid, which penetrates only the outer layer of skin. Their effects are noticeable, but less dramatic than stronger peels.

Medium-strength peels typically use glycolic or trichloroacetic acids, stronger chemicals that penetrate both the outer and middle layers of the skin. Attacking age spots and stronger discolorations, medium peels can also smooth out rough patches of skin and can treat actinic keratosis, a precancerous growth of the skin.

Deep peels use trichloroacetic acid or phenol to deeply penetrate the middle skin layer, removing moderate lines, wrinkles, age spots, freckles, and other discolorations. Shallow scars such as those associated with acne may also show improvement.

How do VI Peels work?

VI Aesthetics created the first painless peel when its creator, Dr. Khalil, sought a better solution against the effects of acne, from which his daughter suffered. The VI Peel is formulated to improve age-related skin tone, melasma, hyperpigmentation, acne, and mild to moderate rosacea. The company dedicates itself to innovative skin care products, including non-invasive chemical peels that produce substantial results and minimal patient impact.

The VI Peel must be administered by a trained and licensed practitioner and cannot be purchased at the retail level for home use.