VI Peel
In Chicago & Glenview, IL
Chicago Aesthetics Surgery & Med Spa in Chicago & Glenview, IL is led by Dr. John D. Rachel, MD, FACS, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who is quadruple board-certified.
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VI Peel
Medically reviewed by Dr. John D. Rachel, MD, FACS. Last reviewed November 2026.
What is
VI Peel?
A VI Peel is a medical-grade chemical peel for dark spots, sun damage, melasma and uneven skin tone. It’s applied in the office by a trained provider, and you finish the process at home with an aftercare kit. Over the next week your skin peels, and fresher skin shows underneath. It’s one of the tools we use when pigment is the main concern.
At Chicago Aesthetics, VI Peels are done by Alison Falada, Master Esthetician and Laser Specialist, and Stephanie Sanchez, Licensed Aesthetician. Individual results may vary.
What VI Peel can help with
VI Peel is mainly a pigment and tone treatment. Patients usually ask about it for:
- Dark spots and sun damage
- Melasma
- Dark marks left behind after acne or an injury (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)
- Dull or uneven tone
- Rough texture
VI Derm, the company that makes the peel, offers several formulas for different skin concerns. Your provider picks the formula after looking at your skin, so the peel matches what you’re treating.
How a VI Peel works
A chemical peel uses a blend of acids and other active ingredients to loosen the outer layers of skin. Those layers shed over the following days. That shedding is what brightens the skin and helps fade surface pigment.
The peel keeps working after you leave. Your aftercare kit includes towelettes you apply at home, starting about four hours after treatment. They continue the peel, so use them exactly as the kit says.
What to expect at your appointment
Your provider cleans your skin, then applies the peel in layers. You may feel some warmth or stinging while it goes on.
Right after the peel, your skin may look slightly tan. Most people don’t look very different that day. You go home with the aftercare kit and written instructions.
Recovery: the first week
Plan for one week of peeling and gentle care. Here’s what that week usually involves:
- First evening: apply the first towelette about four hours after your peel, then follow the kit instructions.
- Peeling: it starts a few days in and lasts several days. Some people peel a lot, some only flake lightly. Light peeling doesn’t mean the peel didn’t work.
- Don’t pick or pull at loose skin. Trim it with small clean scissors or let it come off on its own.
- Sun: avoid direct, strong sun for the first 7 days. Wear the SPF from your kit every morning and a hat outdoors.
- Swimming: skip pools for 7 to 10 days. Chlorine can irritate new skin.
- Shaving: wait until peeling is done, about 7 days.
Some itching and dryness is normal, especially in the evenings. The repair cream in your kit helps. Mild breakouts can happen as skin turns over faster. Call us if anything feels wrong during healing.
How many peels you need
It depends on your skin and what you’re treating. VI Derm recommends a series of 3 to 6 peels, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. Pigment like melasma usually takes a series, not a single peel. After your series, some patients come back about 4 times a year to maintain their skin.
Your provider will build a plan around your goals, your schedule and anything else you’re doing. For example, a VI Peel and microneedling are done on separate days, alternating every 4 to 6 weeks. Individual results may vary.
Who is a good candidate (and who should wait)
VI Derm makes VI Peel for all skin tones, Fitzpatrick types I to VI. Your provider confirms it’s right for you at your consultation.
You should not get a VI Peel if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are allergic to aspirin, hydroquinone or phenol
- Took oral isotretinoin (Accutane) in the last 6 months
- Have an active cold sore, wart or open wound, or a history of cold sores (herpes simplex)
- Had chemotherapy or radiation in the last 6 months
- Have an autoimmune condition such as lupus, or liver disease
This list isn’t complete. Tell your provider about every medication and health condition so they can decide if a VI Peel, a different peel, or another treatment fits you better.
VI Peel cost
A VI Peel at Chicago Aesthetics starts at $400 per treatment. The final cost depends on the formula your provider recommends and how many peels are in your plan. You’ll get exact pricing at your complimentary consultation.
Your VI Peel providers
Alison Falada has more than 20 years in aesthetics and focuses on lasers, peels and skin treatments. Stephanie Sanchez, Licensed Aesthetician, specializes in corrective skin care, facials and chemical peels. Either one will look at your skin, explain your options honestly, and tell you if a VI Peel isn’t the right tool for your concern.
Want to compare options? See our chemical peels, BBL HEROic and MOXI laser pages, or the full pricing menu.
Why Choose
Dr. Rachel
You want a clear recommendation, realistic expectations, and results that still look like you. At Chicago Aesthetics Surgery & Med Spa in Chicago and Glenview, we start with an anatomy-led plan based on your goals. We’ll tell you what we think will work, what won’t, and why. We explain your options in plain language, including what we would not recommend, so you can feel confident with your decision.
Dr. John D. Rachel, MD, FACS is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He is quadruple board-certified in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, and the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery. He completed residency training in Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery at Wayne State/Detroit Medical Center and a Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery fellowship at the Beeson Cosmetic Surgery Institute. He has been in practice since 2001, is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), and has published peer-reviewed research in facial plastic surgery and skin rejuvenation.
Frequently Asked Questions
VI Peel
Does a VI Peel hurt?
How long is the downtime after a VI Peel?
Is VI Peel safe for darker skin?
How many VI Peels will I need?
What if I don't peel much?
How much does a VI Peel cost?
Can I combine a VI Peel with other treatments?
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At Chicago Aesthetic Surgery & Med Spa, we know that your goals are personal and your concerns are unique. View our complete guide to the most common concerns we treat and the solutions that deliver safe, natural-looking results.
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Enhance your natural beauty with personalized skin, body, and wellness treatments from Chicago’s trusted med spa, led by Dr. John D. Rachel.