Your Pre-Treatment VI Peel® Guide

Transform tone, texture, and clarity with medical-grade medium-depth chemical resurfacing.

Synergistic Chemical Exfoliation & Cellular Turnover

At beyond|AESTHETICS, VI Peel® provides targeted dermal rejuvenation designed to lift stubborn hyperpigmentation,smooth fine lines, and clear active acne or scarring. Combining a blend of TCA, Salicylic Acid, Retinoic Acid, Phenol,and Vitamin C, this painless medium-depth peel penetrates into the papillary dermis to stimulate cellular renewal. Proper pre-treatment preparation strengthens your skin barrier and minimizes post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) risks.

Preparing for Your Treatment

7 to 10 Days Before Treatment

Avoid Direct Sun Exposure & Tanning: Discontinue intentional sun exposure, tanning beds, and self-tanners. Skin must be free of active sunburn or tan prior to peeling.
Pause Invasive Facial Procedures: Discontinue laser treatments, IPL, microdermabrasion, wax hair removal, or electrolysis on the treatment area.

3 to 5 Days Before Treatment

Pause Active Topicals: Stop using Retin-A, retinoids, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, AHA/BHAs, hydroquinone, and physical scrubs to keep the lipid barrier calm.
Check Skin Integrity: Ensure the skin is completely free of open wounds, active cold sores, viral lesions, or inflammatory rashes. (Patients prone to cold sores should request a prophylactic antiviral prior to treatment).

Day of Treatment

Arrive Clean & Bare: Wash your face thoroughly. Arrive completely free of makeup, heavy moisturizers, serums, or sunscreens.

Patient receiving a chemical peel

What to Expect in the chair on Treatment Day

Skin Degreasing & Cleansing: We apply a clinical-grade topical anesthetic for approximately 45–60 minutes to ensure maximum comfort during the procedure.
Layered Application (Painless): The VI Peel® solution is applied in multiple passes. The initial pass contains a localized numbing agent (Phenol), making the application comfortable with only mild, brief tingling.
The “Self-Neutralizing” Layer & Yellow/Bronze Glow: VI Peel® is a leave-on, self-neutralizing formula. You will leave the clinic with a bronze-tinted layer on your skin, which stays on for 4 hours before your first home wash.
Take-Home Patient Care Kit: You will receive a specialized VI Peel® Post-Retinoid Wipe kit and prescription-strength hydrocortisone/moisturizer to use at specific hour intervals following your treatment.

Recommended Pre-VI Peel® Home Care

Preparing your skin barrier 1 to 2 weeks prior to chemical resurfacing ensures even solution penetration, reduces pigment sensitivity, and supports rapid barrier recovery.

Pre-VI Peel Skincare Essentials at beyond|AESTHETICS

Alastin Skincare® Regenerating Skin Nectar

Matrix Clearing & Recovery Prep

Why use pre-treatment: Powered by TriHex Technology®, applying this prior to resurfacing clears damaged ECM proteins, calms reactive tissue, and accelerates post-peel re-epithelialization.

Shop Alastin Skin Nectar

SkinMedica® HA5® Rejuvenating Hydrator

Deep Dermal Hydration

Why use pre-treatment: Deeply saturates five forms of hyaluronic acid into dermal layers, ensuring the skin canvas is supple and hydrated prior to chemical solution application.

Shop SkinMedica HA5

Epionce Daily Shield Tinted SPF 50

Broad-Spectrum UV Defense

Why use pre-treatment: Skin must be free of active UV inflammation or sunburn prior to peeling. Mineral SPF keeps skin calm and protected leading up to your session.

Shop Epionce Tinted SPF 50

We’re with you every step of your aesthetic journey.

Beyond your pre-care routine, dive into our resources below to discover:

Learn More about VI Peel®

VI Peel® Aftercare

Read our ‘VI Peels: Practitioners’ Self-Treatment Experiences’ Blog

VI Peel® FAQ's

When will my skin start peeling, and how long does it last?

Peeling typically begins around day 3 post-treatment (often starting around the mouth and nose) and continues for roughly 3 to 5 days. By day 7, major peeling is complete, revealing fresh, rejuvenated skin. It is essential to let the skin shed naturally—never pick, pull, or force peeling skin off, as this can lead to hyperpigmentation or scarring.

Is the VI Peel® painful, and is there any downtime?

The treatment is virtually painless. The VI Peel® formulation includes a mild topical anesthetic (lidocaine) that numbing agent activates shortly after application. You may feel a brief warm or tingling sensation for the first 30 to 60 seconds. There is no medical downtime, but you will experience visible skin shedding from days 3 to 7, so plan social events accordingly.

How many VI Peel® treatments will I need, and how do I care for my skin while peeling?

While a single peel delivers a noticeable improvement in tone and texture, a series of 3 to 4 peels spaced 4 weeks apartis recommended for deep pigment correction, acne scarring, or sun damage. During recovery, use only the post-peel cleanser, repair cream, and physical sunscreen provided in your official VI Peel® Take-Home Kit, and refrain from active skincare (retinoids, acids, or scrubs) until fully healed.