What Is a VI Peel? A Complete Guide to Chemical Peels at milk + honey

Chemical peels have been around for decades, but VI Peels have earned a reputation as one of the more effective, better-tolerated options on the market, particularly for guests who want real results without significant downtime. If you have been curious about what they do, whether they are worth it, and which formulation is right for your skin, this is the guide.

What Is a VI Peel?

A VI Peel is a professional-grade chemical peel developed by the Vitality Institute in Los Angeles. It uses a blend of active ingredients, including trichloroacetic acid (TCA), retinoic acid, salicylic acid, phenol, vitamin C, and minerals, to exfoliate the outer layers of the skin, stimulate collagen production, and improve overall skin tone, texture, and clarity.

The formulation was developed after the founder's daughter spent years struggling to find effective treatment for her cystic and hormonal acne. That origin matters because it shaped how VI Peels were designed: to deliver meaningful clinical results while remaining tolerable for a wide range of skin types, including sensitive skin.

In short: A VI Peel accelerates the skin's natural renewal process, clearing away damaged surface cells and prompting the production of healthier skin beneath.

VI Peels address a range of concerns including fine lines and wrinkles, acne and active breakouts, post-acne scarring, hyperpigmentation from sun damage, and melasma. There are five formulations, each targeting a specific set of concerns.

What Does a VI Peel Do?

The active ingredients in a VI Peel work together to:

• Exfoliate dead skin cells and clear congested pores
• Regulate oil production
• Stimulate collagen and elastin production
• Improve skin tone and reduce discoloration
• Refine pore appearance and surface texture
• Suppress melanin production in formulations targeting pigmentation

The result after a full treatment series is skin that looks smoother, more even, and healthier, without the recovery time associated with more aggressive resurfacing treatments.

Which VI Peel Is Right for You?

There are five VI Peel formulations available at milk + honey. Your provider will recommend the right one during your consultation based on your skin concerns, skin type, and goals.

VI Peel Original — From $325

The VI Peel Original is the right starting point for guests who are new to chemical peels or who want to address multiple concerns at once without targeting a single specific issue. It is formulated for all skin types and ages.

Best for: Sensitive skin, early signs of aging, enlarged pores, uneven texture, and guests who want a general reset of skin tone and quality.

VI Peel Purify — From $375

The VI Peel Purify is specifically designed for acne-prone skin. It increases cellular turnover to open pores, kills acne-causing bacteria, reduces comedones, and helps balance oil production to reduce future breakouts.

Best for: Active acne, breakout-prone skin, oily and congested skin.

VI Peel Advanced — From $375

The VI Peel Advanced contains a 20% higher concentration of active ingredients than the Original formulation, allowing it to penetrate deeper and address more advanced signs of aging. It is designed for guests who want to target deep-set wrinkles and significant loss of elasticity.

Best for: Mature skin, loss of elasticity, fine lines and wrinkles.

H3: VI Peel Precision Plus — From $425

The VI Peel Precision Plus is the formulation specifically designed to address skin discoloration. It works by suppressing melanogenesis, the process by which the skin produces excess melanin, while simultaneously promoting rapid cell turnover to improve overall skin tone. It includes both a Lighten Booster and a fast-acting Brightening Booster.

Best for: Hyperpigmentation, melasma, sun damage, and uneven skin tone.

If you have been researching treatments for melasma or hyperpigmentation specifically, this formulation is worth discussing with your provider. It pairs well with Moxi laser treatments as part of a comprehensive pigmentation management plan.

VI Peel Purify Precision Plus — From $425

The most comprehensive option for guests dealing with both active acne and the discoloration it leaves behind. This formulation addresses current breakouts while simultaneously fading post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and textural scarring from previous acne.

Best for: Active acne with hyperpigmentation, post-acne scarring, and PIH.

How Much Does a VI Peel Cost?

VI Peels at milk + honey start at $325 for the Original formulation. More targeted formulations range from $375 to $425 depending on the specific peel and your treatment plan.

A series of three treatments spaced four to six weeks apart is typically recommended for best results. Your provider will outline the full cost of your recommended treatment plan during your consultation.

Book a free consultation to discuss which formulation is right for you and what to expect from a full treatment series.

Are VI Peels Worth It?

For guests dealing with persistent acne, hyperpigmentation, uneven texture, or early to moderate signs of aging, yes. VI Peels deliver results that topical skincare alone typically cannot achieve because they work at a deeper level than any product you can apply at home.

The reasons guests find them worth it:

• Multiple formulations mean the treatment can be precisely matched to your actual concern
• Results are visible and build progressively across a series
• Downtime is manageable, typically five to seven days of peeling
• The price point is accessible relative to more aggressive resurfacing options
• They work across a wide range of skin types and tones

The guests for whom VI Peels may not be the right fit are those who cannot commit to the post-care protocol or who are looking for a single-session fix. Like most professional skin treatments, the best results come from a series.

What to Expect: Before, During, and After a VI Peel

During the Treatment

Your provider will apply the VI Peel solution to the treatment area. The appointment itself is straightforward and takes approximately thirty to forty-five minutes. You may experience mild tingling or warmth during application, which is normal and resolves quickly.

Immediately After

Your skin may appear tan, red, or yellow immediately following treatment. This is temporary and will resolve when you wash your face. Wait four hours before cleansing, using the provided cleanser and lukewarm water only.

The Peeling Process

Peeling typically begins around forty-eight hours after treatment, starting around the mouth first before spreading to other areas. The peeling phase lasts approximately three to seven days depending on the formulation and your skin's response.

During this time:

• Use only lukewarm water, never hot
• Apply the VI Derm Moisturizer included in your kit as needed
• Do not pick or pull at peeling skin, clip with clean scissors if necessary
• Apply sunscreen daily without exception
• You may use hydrocortisone cream on itchy areas

What Do the VI Peel Towelettes Do?

The post-peel retinoid towelettes included in your VI Peel kit are applied on the evening of your treatment and the following evening. They deliver retinoic acid directly to the skin to accelerate cell turnover, deepen the peel's effectiveness, and support the skin's renewal process. Apply at least one hour before sleep to allow full absorption, and do not rinse off.

For body treatments, peeling typically starts one week after treatment rather than forty-eight hours. Continue applying tretinoin at bedtime after the second retinoid towelette until peeling begins.

Returning to Normal

Most guests can resume their regular skincare routine once peeling is complete. If skin is still sensitive or red after peeling, wait until it settles before reintroducing stronger actives. This can take up to two weeks for some guests.

Makeup can be applied starting the morning of day two. Avoid exercise for at least forty-eight hours following treatment as sweat can irritate the skin during the initial recovery period.

How Many VI Peels Do I Need to See Results?

Most guests see noticeable improvement after a single treatment, but a series of three peels spaced four to six weeks apart is what produces the most meaningful and lasting results. Your provider will assess your skin and recommend the appropriate number of sessions based on your specific concerns and goals.

For ongoing skin health maintenance, some guests incorporate VI Peels into their regular treatment cadence once or twice a year after completing their initial series.

VI Peels at milk + honey

Every VI Peel treatment at milk + honey begins with a personalized consultation with one of our medSPA providers. We assess your skin, discuss your concerns, and recommend the formulation that is most likely to deliver the results you are looking for.

VI Peels pair well with other treatments including microneedling and laser treatments as part of a more comprehensive skin improvement plan. Your provider will advise on sequencing and timing.

Book a free medSPA consultation

H2: Your VI Peel Questions, Answered

Is a VI Peel good for melasma?
Yes, specifically the VI Peel Precision Plus formulation. It suppresses melanogenesis and promotes cell turnover to reduce the appearance of melasma. It works best as part of a broader pigmentation management plan that includes consistent sun protection and may include Moxi laser treatments.

Can VI peels cause hyperpigmentation?
If post-care instructions are not followed, particularly sun protection, there is a risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This is why daily SPF is non-negotiable after any peel treatment, and why we send you home with a complete post-care kit.

Can I do a VI Peel at home?
No. VI Peels are professional-grade treatments that require clinical application and a post-care protocol. At-home peel products use significantly lower concentrations of active ingredients and do not deliver comparable results. More importantly, improper application of professional-strength peels can damage the skin.

Can I wear makeup after a VI Peel?
You can apply makeup starting the morning of day two after your peel. Use SPF underneath and keep your routine simple while your skin is in the peeling phase.

Can I work out after a VI Peel?
Avoid exercise for at least forty-eight hours following treatment. Sweat and heat can irritate the skin during the initial recovery window.

Can I get a VI Peel while pregnant?
This is a question for your provider and your OB. Some ingredients in VI Peels, including retinoic acid, are not recommended during pregnancy. Your provider will advise accordingly during your consultation.

Are VI Peels safe?
Yes, when performed by a trained provider and with proper post-care. VI Peels are formulated to deliver clinical results while minimizing risk, and they are appropriate for a wide range of skin types and tones. Your provider will confirm suitability during your consultation.

Can I leave the VI Peel on overnight?
No. Your provider will give you specific instructions on when to wash off the peel solution. The retinoid towelettes included in your post-care kit are applied at home and left on overnight, but those are a separate step from the peel itself.