 
Acne may clear, but the marks it leaves behind can take longer to fade. Brown spots, uneven skin tone and rough texture can affect how your complexion looks. A professional chemical peel may help improve certain concerns, depending on their cause and severity.
VI Peel is a medium-depth professional peel designed to support skin renewal. Flat dark marks and deep acne scars are different concerns, though, and understanding the difference helps you choose the right treatment.
At PURE Medical Spa, a personalized assessment can help determine whether a peel fits your skin goals.
Key Takeaways
- ✓VI Peel for acne scars works best on flat dark marks and mild surface roughness.
- ✓Deep ice pick, rolling and boxcar scars usually need microneedling or another structural treatment.
- ✓VI Peel Purify with Precision + Peptides is the formula VI designed for acne and post-acne pigment.
- ✓See current offers, including 3 VI Peels for $199, on our VI Peel page.
What Is a VI Peel?
A VI Peel uses a blend of exfoliating ingredients to encourage skin renewal. Chemical peels can improve selected pigmentation concerns, superficial texture irregularities and certain acne-related marks.
VI offers several formulas. For acne-prone skin, VI Peel Purify targets active breakouts and oil, while VI Peel Purify with Precision + Peptides is designed for post-acne pigmentation and textural marks. Your provider chooses the formula after assessing your skin.
Research published by the National Library of Medicine supports selected chemical peels for post-acne hyperpigmentation. Results still depend on the ingredients, treatment depth, skin characteristics and aftercare, and no study guarantees identical results from every formulation.
What Types of Acne Marks Can a VI Peel Improve?
Dark spots after acne
Flat brown marks form when inflammation triggers extra pigment as a spot heals. This post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is where a peel often helps most.
Red and uneven marks
Pink, brown or grayish marks can linger after breakouts. A peel may help pigment, but redness from blood vessels may need a different approach.
Rough skin texture
By removing surface cells, a peel may soften superficial roughness and help skin look smoother.
Indented acne scars
Ice pick, rolling and boxcar scars sit deeper. A peel may give limited change; structural treatments usually do more.
VI Peel for acne scars is most worth discussing when your main concern is discoloration rather than deep indentations. If you also deal with marks on your back or chest, read our guides to VI Peel for body acne and chemical peels for back acne and dark marks.
Benefits of VI Peel for Post-Acne Hyperpigmentation
When it is the right fit for your skin, potential benefits include:
- ✓More even-looking skin: may reduce the appearance of selected dark spots.
- ✓Smoother texture: can improve certain superficial irregularities.
- ✓Brighter complexion: exfoliation may help skin look fresher.
- ✓Support for acne mark care: may help lingering discoloration once breakouts settle.
- ✓A personalized plan: treatment can complement a suitable skincare routine.
Outcomes vary, and no peel can promise to remove every acne mark.
PURE MEDICAL SPA CHICAGO
Ready to Fade Your Acne Marks?
Ask our team which VI Peel formula suits your skin and goals.
What Happens During Treatment?
Before treatment, your provider reviews your skin concerns, medical history, current products, medications and previous procedures. Mention prescription acne treatments, retinoids, recent procedures, cold sore history, allergies and any tendency toward lasting pigmentation or raised scars.
During treatment, the skin is cleansed and the peel is applied in layers. Mild tingling or warmth is common and fades quickly. You leave with an aftercare kit and instructions to follow for the week.
Afterwards, dryness, redness, sensitivity and visible peeling may develop, usually over the first several days. Let skin shed naturally, because pulling loose skin can slow healing and raise the risk of new discoloration.
Monitoring Progress and Possible Side Effects
Improvement develops gradually as the skin renews. Photos taken in similar lighting help you compare changes in pigmentation and texture, and our guide to tracking VI Peel results explains how.
GOOD TO KNOW
Possible side effects include dryness, redness, burning, irritation and temporary pigment changes, and less commonly infection or scarring.
If you are prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, extra care matters, because irritation can create new dark marks.
Contact your clinician if you notice worsening pain, significant swelling, blistering, increasing redness, discharge or unexpected color changes. Seek prompt medical attention for severe symptoms.
Aftercare and Nutrition for Healthier-Looking Skin
Balanced nutrition supports normal skin function, although food alone cannot remove established acne scars. Include protein, vegetables and fruit in your meals, stay hydrated and avoid restrictive diets.
After a peel, follow these skincare principles:
- ✓Use a gentle cleanser and an appropriate moisturizer.
- ✓Wear broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day and limit direct sun.
- ✓Pause scrubs, exfoliating acids and retinoids until your provider says they are safe to resume.
- ✓Never pick or peel the skin by hand.
Sun protection is especially important, because UV exposure can deepen pigmentation. Our VI Peel and retinol checklist covers what to pause and when.
Is a Chemical Peel Right for You?
A chemical peel may suit people whose main concern is surface discoloration or uneven texture. Deep scars, raised scars and active inflammatory acne may need different strategies, and many people combine treatments over time.
If indented scars are part of the picture, microneedling may be added on a separate visit. See VI Peel vs microneedling for hyperpigmentation for how the two compare.
People with open wounds, active skin infections, significant irritation or a history of problem healing may need to postpone treatment. Some medications and medical conditions also affect suitability. The FDA warns that chemical peel products used without professional supervision can cause serious skin injuries, so professional care is essential.
Current VI Peel Offers at PURE
BUY 2, GET 1 FREE
$199
Three VI Peels for $199 in total, a simple way to start a series.
HOLIDAY SALE
$999
Two VI Peels plus two microneedling sessions, alternated on separate visits.
VI TOXBOOSTER
$8.99
Botox at $8.99 per unit when you pair it with a VI Peel.
See VI Peel Details and OffersBook Online
Visit PURE Medical Spa Across Chicagoland
PURE Medical Spa welcomes you at five convenient clinics in Chicago and the suburbs. Ask our team which location offers VI Peel and pick the visit that fits your schedule.
PURE Medical Spa Gold Coast (N. Dearborn), Chicago
875 N Dearborn St, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60610
Book OnlineCall or Text 312.312.7873Naperville 331.283.0440
Frequently Asked Questions
Can VI Peel improve acne scars and dark marks?
It may improve flat dark marks and surface texture. Deep, indented scars usually need a more targeted approach, such as microneedling, alongside or instead of a peel.
What types of acne scars can VI Peel help improve?
A peel works best on post-acne discoloration and mild surface roughness. Deep ice pick, rolling and boxcar scars may need other procedures.
Is VI Peel effective for dark spots left after acne?
It may help many cases of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Results vary, and irritation can sometimes worsen discoloration, so careful aftercare matters.
Is VI Peel or microneedling better for acne scars?
Neither is better for everyone. Peels suit pigmentation, while microneedling may help depressed scars. Many plans alternate the two on separate visits, never on the same day.
Can VI Peel improve indented acne scars?
Improvement may be limited for deep indentations. The right plan depends on scar depth, shape and your skin type.
BOOK YOUR VISIT
Talk to PURE About Your Acne Scars
We will look at your marks, explain realistic results and suggest a plan that fits.
Safety note: Professional peels are not suitable for everyone. Do not use strong chemical peels at home. Consult a qualified healthcare professional if you have active skin problems or develop concerning symptoms during recovery.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA warns against purchasing or using chemical peel skin products without professional supervision
- National Library of Medicine: Evidence-based surgical management of post-acne scarring in skin of color
