Vi Peel Facial Rejuvenation Peel
I just had something called a Vi Peel, and my face feels like it’s on fire and is going to fall off. Good times! It uses exfoliating phenol acids, vitamin C and Retin-A to slough off the top layer of skin in 3 -5 days, and is supposed to be good for all complexions, including African-American skin (which typically can’t tolerate peels without hyperpigmentation). The actual peel only took about five minutes, and I’ve been instructed to use the Post-Peel Towelettes tonight and tomorrow night to help accelerate peeling, and then to expect the oh-so-sexy snake action to begin on Friday. According to the literature, the peel will get rid of acne and acne scarring, brighten skin and increase collagen production…but right now all I can focus on is the fact that my skin looks like a tomato, smells like formaldehyde, and feels like it’s been sunburned and then scratched. (Note to self: Eyes on the prize, J.)
Tags: JOLIE/NADINE, peels, Retin-A, SKINCARE, Vi Peel
June 11th, 2008 at 3:54 am
Jolie Nadine! Please stop overexfoliating your skin! I’m almost 30, have tried almost as many products as you, from low- to high-end, and also took the Retin-A route. Started doing AHA peels at 20, but the last I did was five years ago, since my skin was getting thin. I had acne and some fine lines. If you’re using Retin-A still, please don’t use much else to exfoliate:(
My permanent solution to annoying and regular breakouts? Ayurvedic treatment. I haven’t gotten a major pimple in a year since finishing my herbal medicine course last year and I follow a diet which restricts me from “heat-inducing foods,” like eggs, nuts,chilli, shrimp, etc. It works!
Rooibos tea is great for calming skin/ For products, do try Vichy Normaderm Nuit. I’ve been using that for 8 months now, great for our kind of fragile, acne-prone skin. I also use Jurlique Herbal Recovery Gel for anti-ageing. By the way, steer clear of the Avobenzone and Oxybenzone, as well as the Butyl M–whatsit in sunscreens. Dr. Leslie Baumann says it’s not good for sensitive skin and can cause break-outs. I like Clarins UV PLUS myself. Hope this helps.
June 13th, 2008 at 7:53 am
I just got a VI Peel yesterday morning. And today my face feels and looks on fire. I’m told that I’m supposed to look tanned like I was at the beach. But this feels and looks like I spent 5 days at the beach with no SPF. It’s itchy as well. I feel like Samantha on Sex and the City. I woke up at 6:30am and I put prescription cortisone cream and the VI cream I was given to soothe my skin. I even took two advil. Right now, I’m uncomfortable. I’m told to use the retin A towelette again tonight before bed, but if it still feels irritated like this, I just might skip that part. They say you can resume your regular activities, but if I actually did, I’d be asked about my “sunburn” and be miserable from the discomfort. Anything to not heat up my face more is good.
June 13th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Oh, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda…we need to talk! It makes me happy to know that somebody else in the world is going through the same simultaneous discomfort, itching, peeling and irritation as me. Let me tell you - it only gets worse. I met people for drinks yesterday and it was pure comedy: my chin was flaking off as I spoke, and I could see little bits of skin sticking off my cheeks out of the corner of my eye. I also didn’t use the towelettes on the second day, but I used them last night, feeling like I just want to get the damn thing over with. I used the Samantha/SATC comparison while describing it to my friends, as well. A little hydrocortisone cream and some advil has helped me, and before I go out, I wash my face and apply a LOT of moisturizer. And then I wait…(for the rest of my face to fall off.)
June 13th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
OMG! I was hoping you’d write again. When you say it gets worse, you just mean the peeling right? I’m hoping to God this redness and fire feeling isn’t going to get worse! By tomorrow I’m counting on the “sunburn” to dissipate drastically. I won’t even leave the house! I’m welcoming the peeling part. What does the new skin underneath look like? Is it red or back to your normal colored skin?
There is no way I’m using the towelette again. I’m just gonna dry it out and wait it out. Hey will you email me at amanda_haley@hotmail.com ?
June 13th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
That’s amanda (underscore) haley@hotmail.com
June 13th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Also, were you swollen or puffy the second day? I am!!!
June 19th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I had the VI peel 5 days ago and I’m still concerned. My face turned purple in some areas, now it is dark brown. I have peeled almost every where, but the worse area is still peeling and it looks really red and raw. I am thinking about going to the DR. tomorrow.
My skin better look damn good in the end after all of this pain!!!!
June 21st, 2008 at 6:38 am
ok, the worst part of the VI peel for me was the fact I blew up like a red blowfish. (i think I’m allergic to Retin A). B/c it was my first peel ever, I just didn’t know what to expect, so psychologically, I was petrified not knowing what was happening and what the outcome was going to look like. Well, I’m thrilled to say, I had my peel 9 days ago and I just love the results!! I’m hooked and would do it again. My face is back to looking porcelain again with no makeup. The VI peel lifted my pigmention spots I developed over the years from sun or B.C. pills. They are gone after 1 peel. My skin also looks and feels tighter and smoother, especially under my eyes. I hope this lasts!!
Jaime, if the raw spots are slight, and sting a little when you apply cream, don’t worry, new skin will form over in a few days, will dry, and then fall off. I had one spot on my cheek that I may have picked at too soon, (4th day) and it turned slighty pink and raw. I was so upset, thinking I scarred my face, but it’s perfect now. You should be totally back to normal on day 7, maybe 8 in your case. Just don’t rub or pick at your skin.
July 27th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
I haven’t gotten a pimple in a year since finishing my herbal medicine course last year.