What is a VI Peel?

A VI Peel is a medium-depth chemical peel that penetrates your top layer of skin, called the epidermis, reaching into the dermis underneath. It uses a product trademarked by Vitality Institute Medical Products.

Like other chemical peels, a VI Peel works by exfoliating your skin and stimulating the production of new proteins. The procedure is commonly used to treat signs of aging, improve skin texture, and correct pigmentary issues.

The product used in VI Peels is made up of a blend of ingredients that include:

• trichloroacetic acid (TCA) (10 to 12 percent)
• phenol (10 to 12 percent)
• salicylic acid (10 to 12 percent)
• vitamin C (4 percent)
• tretinoin (0.1 to 0.4 percent)

VI Peels are gentle enough that they can safely be used on your face, chest, eyelids, hands, and back. According to the Vitality Institute, this type of peel can be used on all skin types and tones.

Let’s break down everything you need to know about a VI Peel facial, including how it works, safety information, and potential benefits.

A VI Peel offers benefits similar to those of other light to medium chemical peels. Let’s look at some of the most common conditions it’s used to treat.

Fine lines and wrinkles

Chemicals peels break down your top layers of skin cells. This breakdown can stimulate your body’s natural healing process and the production of new collagen and elastin.

Collagen and elastin are the two key proteins that give your skin its structure and elasticityTrusted Source. Loss of these proteins contributes to the formation of wrinkles.

VI Peels and other superficial to medium-depth chemical peels aren’t effective for removing deep wrinkles or sagging skin.

Treating sun spots and discoloration

Chemical peels can potentially help you lighten areas of skin darkened by sun damage or skin conditions like melasmaTrusted Source.

One of the key ingredients in VI Peels is phenol. Phenol is one of the most effectiveTrusted Source ingredients used in chemical peels for treating freckles and discoloration.

Treating keratosis pilaris

Some of the active ingredients in a VI Peel, such as salicylic acidTrusted Source, may help break down bumps caused by keratosis pilaris (chicken skin).

Keratosis pilaris is a common condition in which dead skin cells clog hair follicles and produce bumps that resemble the skin of a plucked chicken.

Does VI Peel treat acne?

A VI Peel and other light to medium chemical peels are often used to improve acne. A 2018 review of studiesTrusted Source concluded that chemical peels are generally well tolerated and potentially effective, but more research is needed to see how to best use chemical peels for acne treatment.

Chemical peelsTrusted Source can treat acne in a number of ways, including:

• reducing oil production
• killing bacteria
• reducing inflammation
• breaking down your outer layer of skin
• reducing your number of clogged pores

Salicylic acid, one of the key ingredients in a VI Peel, is also one of the best Trusted Sourcetreatments for acne scars.