The use of lasers and light therapies has dominated the talk about skin retexturing and resurfacing over the past decade. While they do produce some wonderful results, their use has overshadowed the historical approach of chemical peeling of the face. Chemical peeling today has been largely relegated to the superficial peels done by aestheticians and not physicians. When combined with microdermabrasion, they are known to produce a nice refreshening effect but the results are not comparable with laser treatments.
Most chemical peels that produced any significant results, such as trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and phenol, have involved significant recovery and discomfort. Medium to deep-depth peels done by physicians required significant skin penetration to produce their results. This produces significant upper layer skin sloughing and downtime. Personally, I had assumed that ‘state-of-the-art’ chemical peeling was more about technique than the chemical compositions of the solutions.
My understanding of chemical peeling has undergone a change in the past year since we have begun using the Vi Peel. This chemical peel is an innovative combination of different ingredients. Cleverly combining TCA, phenol and salicylic acid peels with retinoic acid, Vitamin C and a proprietary mineral blend, a very interesting chemical peel has been created. It can create a significant skin change (repair) without the associated pain on application and with very little downtime. I am not sure of the chemistry of exactly how it works since skin results from peeling have been historically associated with the concept of ‘deeper = better results = more pain and recovery’.
My Indianapolis plastic surgery experience with the Vi Peel has shown that it is a real revolutionary peel. I say this for the following four reasons. First and initially important is that the peel produces a significant anesthetic effect on the skin on application. So one can have the peel without pain. That is really important to patients and encourages them to return for further treatments. I assume that the anesthetic effect is from the phenol component of the solution. Secondly, it does produce real skin improvement that appears to be equivalent to that obtained from micropeel laser treatments. (less than 50 microns) A series of Vi Peels can be a comparatively cost-effective skin rejuvenation program. Third, it can be safely used on all skin types (even a Fitzpatrick V or VI) as well as on the more sensitive areas of the neck and the chest. (historical ‘no-peel’ zones) Eliminating sunspots from the hands and chest and decreasing wrinkles in the décolletage areas has always been problematic with traditional peel solutions. Lastly, the peel can be safely applied by a trained aesthetician and does not require a physician to do so.
The Vi Peel is not a complete substitute for laser and light therapies. But it is a valuable addition to skin rejuvenation by providing a real effective option for the under 100 micron retexturing needs in the face. For the neck and chest, however, this might be the best option that currently exists for real improvement without the risk of scarring.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana