Chemical Peels: Vi Precision, TCA, ZO and PCA
Modern Skin Clinic · Charlotte, North Carolina
Chemical Peels in Charlotte, NC
Customized professional chemical peels for acne, clogged pores, hyperpigmentation, melasma, sun damage, rough texture, fine lines and dull skin — selected according to your skin rather than a one-peel-fits-everyone protocol.
Modern Skin Clinic offers VI Peel, PCA enhanced Jessner peels, ZO 3-Step Peel, ZO Stimulator Peel, customized TCA peels and Dermaplane MicroPeel. The acids, strength and treatment depth are selected according to your concern, skin type, previous treatments and the amount of peeling or downtime you are comfortable with.
- Acne & clogged pores
- Melasma & hyperpigmentation
- Sun damage & brown spots
- Post-acne discoloration
- Fine lines & photoaging
- Dull or rough texture
Professional Exfoliation · Personalized
The best chemical peel is not necessarily the strongest one.
Salicylic acid behaves differently from lactic acid. TCA is not the same as a Jessner blend. A pigment-focused peel has a different job than a peel chosen for oily, congested skin.
The goal is to match the chemistry to the skin concern.
South Charlotte · Ballantyne · Waverly · Rea Farms · Matthews
What Does a Chemical Peel Actually Do?
A chemical peel uses one acid or a controlled blend of acids to loosen and exfoliate damaged surface cells. Depending on the formula, it may also help clear oil and debris from pores, improve visible discoloration, accelerate surface turnover and soften rough or photodamaged texture.
The ingredient matters. Glycolic acid is an AHA commonly used for texture and photoaging. Lactic acid exfoliates and is often selected when dry or dehydrated-looking skin is part of the picture. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble and particularly relevant when congestion and breakouts are present. TCA creates a stronger controlled coagulation response and is used in more corrective strategies.
Professional formulas often combine these acids with pigment-focused ingredients such as kojic acid or hydroquinone, or turnover-supporting ingredients such as retinoic acid or retinol.
Start With The Skin Problem
Which Chemical Peel Is Best for Your Skin Concern?
These are common directions we may consider. Final selection depends on skin tone, sensitivity, medications, active inflammation, previous procedures and tolerance for visible peeling.
Active Acne, Oily Skin & Congested Pores
Salicylic-rich formulas are often useful because salicylic acid is oil-soluble and relevant to oil and pore congestion.
Common options: VI Peel Purify, PCA enhanced Jessner formulas and selected salicylic-based peels.
Acne + Dark Marks / PIH
When breakouts and post-inflammatory pigmentation occur together, the peel may need both acne-focused and pigment-focused chemistry.
Common options: VI Purify with Precision Plus, VI Precision Plus and selected PCA Jessner peels.
Hyperpigmentation, Sun Spots & Uneven Tone
Pigment-focused peels may combine exfoliating acids with kojic acid, hydroquinone or retinoic acid.
Common options: VI Precision Plus, PCA Peel with Hydroquinone, ZO 3-Step Peel and customized TCA.
Melasma & Hormonal Pigmentation
Melasma is recurrent and sensitive to light and heat, so controlled correction matters more than simply choosing the strongest peel.
Common options: VI Precision Plus and selected pigment-directed PCA protocols with strict sun protection.
Fine Lines, Rough Texture & Photoaging
More established sun damage may benefit from stronger exfoliation and formulas that support visible turnover.
Common options: VI Advanced, ZO 3-Step Peel, TCA and selected PCA formulations.
Dull, Dry or Uneven Surface Texture
A superficial peel can refresh surface buildup without planning for a dramatic peeling cycle.
Common options: ZO Stimulator Peel, Dermaplane MicroPeel, VI Original and light lactic/glycolic peels.
Post-Acne Texture & Scarring
Peels can help discoloration and superficial texture, but true depressed scars often need deeper remodeling.
Common options: Peel for pigment plus microneedling, RF microneedling or fractional resurfacing when appropriate.
Sensitive or First-Time Peel Clients
A first peel does not need to be aggressive; treatment can begin conservatively and be adjusted after seeing how the skin responds.
Common options: VI Original, ZO Stimulator or another customized superficial peel.
Body Acne, Rough Texture & Keratosis Pilaris
Body skin is thicker than facial skin and may require a formula designed for larger body areas.
Common options: VI Body Peel for selected body acne, discoloration, roughness and texture concerns.
VI Aesthetics
All VI Peel Formulas: What Changes From One to Another?
VI Peel uses a professional multi-acid base and then adjusts the formula or booster system according to the concern: first-time/sensitive clients, mature skin, pigmentation, acne, acne with pigmentation, or body skin.
VI Aesthetics currently describes six professional formula options. Formula naming and packaging can evolve, so current in-office manufacturer labeling takes precedence.
VI Peel Original
First Peel · Tone · Texture · Early AgingThe foundational VI formula is commonly selected for overall tone, rough texture, early visible aging or a first VI treatment.
VI Peel Advanced
Mature Skin · Fine Lines · Loss of ElasticityAdvanced uses the VI base with an additional booster and is designed for more established visible aging, rougher mature skin and stronger correction.
VI Peel Precision Plus
Melasma · Sun Damage · PIH · Dark SpotsThe pigment-focused VI option, pairing the VI base with a booster system for stubborn visible discoloration.
VI Peel Purify
Active Acne · Oil · CongestionPurify adds acne-focused ingredients to the VI acid base for active breakouts, excess oil and clogged pores.
VI Peel Purify with Precision Plus
Acne + PIH · Hormonal Acne · Acne MarksCombines acne-directed Purify with pigment-directed Precision Plus for clients dealing with active breakouts and the dark marks they leave behind.
VI Body Peel
Body Acne · Discoloration · Roughness · KPA body-specific formula for selected acne, discoloration, rough texture and keratosis pilaris on appropriate body areas.
PCA Skin
PCA Enhanced Jessner Peels
A traditional Jessner solution is associated with lactic acid, salicylic acid and resorcinol. PCA developed modified or “enhanced Jessner” formulas that combine lactic and salicylic acids with pigment-focused ingredients such as kojic acid, citric acid and, in selected versions, hydroquinone and resorcinol.
PCA Peel Hydroquinone Free
Acne · Texture · Uneven Tone · Hydroquinone-FreeAn enhanced Jessner option that keeps a strong AHA/BHA blend while omitting hydroquinone.
PCA Peel with Hydroquinone
Hyperpigmentation · Melasma · PIH · AcneAdds hydroquinone to the lactic/salicylic Jessner-style base for more pigment-directed treatment.
PCA Peel with Hydroquinone & Resorcinol
Resilient Skin · Oil · Sun Damage · More ExfoliationTraditionally described as the most exfoliating of PCA's enhanced Jessner trio because resorcinol is added for greater flaking/exfoliation.
Why PCA Jessner Formulas Are Different
AHA + BHA + Pigment ModifiersPCA's modified Jessner family is not simply one classic solution. Different versions add or remove pigment modifiers and resorcinol.
ZO Skin Health
ZO Stimulator Peel vs. ZO 3-Step Peel
These serve very different purposes. Stimulator is designed as a superficial “lunch-hour” style exfoliation, while ZO 3-Step uses a substantially more corrective acid blend followed by retinol.
ZO Stimulator Peel
No-Downtime Glow · Dullness · Rough TextureDesigned for superficial exfoliation when you want brighter, smoother-looking skin without planning around several days of visible peeling.
ZO 3-Step Peel
Acne · Sun Damage · Uneven Tone · Fine Lines · TextureA more corrective ZO treatment: an acid solution followed by concentrated retinol to extend visible renewal, with post-treatment hydration supporting the recovering barrier.
Trichloroacetic Acid
Customized TCA Chemical Peels
TCA — trichloroacetic acid — is used in professional chemical peeling because it produces a controlled protein-coagulation response. The visible effect depends on concentration, layers, skin preparation and whether TCA is used alone or in a blended peel.
TCA may be considered for photoaging, uneven pigmentation, fine lines, rough texture and selected superficial scarring. It is also part of branded combination peels such as VI Peel and ZO 3-Step, where it works alongside other acids.
More TCA is not automatically better. Skin tone, pigment history, recent sun exposure, retinoid use and desired recovery time all influence how aggressive a TCA-based treatment should be.
Search by Ingredient
Glycolic, Lactic, Salicylic & TCA Peels in Charlotte
Brand names are useful, but the chemistry often explains why one peel is selected over another.
Glycolic Acid
A small-molecule AHA used for surface renewal, rough texture, dullness and visible photoaging. It appears in VI Body and professional ZO Stimulator materials.
Lactic Acid
An AHA used for exfoliation and often selected when dry or dehydrated-looking skin is part of the picture. It appears in PCA Jessner, ZO 3-Step, ZO Stimulator and VI Body.
Salicylic Acid
An oil-soluble BHA especially relevant to oily skin, congestion, blackheads and breakouts. It is central to VI facial formulas, PCA Jessner and ZO 3-Step.
TCA
Trichloroacetic acid creates a controlled coagulation response and is used for more corrective texture, photoaging and pigment strategies.
Kojic Acid
A pigment-focused ingredient used in several PCA Jessner and VI formulas alongside exfoliating acids.
Hydroquinone
A strong pigment-suppressing ingredient in selected PCA Jessner and VI Precision Plus systems; it is not appropriate for every client.
Resorcinol
A classic Jessner-associated ingredient that increases exfoliation and visible flaking; PCA uses it in its Hydroquinone + Resorcinol enhanced Jessner formula.
Retinoic Acid / Retinol
Vitamin-A derivatives support visible turnover. Retinoic acid is part of the VI facial family; ZO 3-Step follows acids with a concentrated professional retinol step.
Gentle Combination Treatment
Dermaplane MicroPeel
For clients who want smoother, brighter skin without moving into a stronger corrective peel, Dermaplane MicroPeel combines physical exfoliation with professional chemical exfoliation.
Dermaplaning removes superficial buildup and peach fuzz first, allowing the peel step to contact a freshly exfoliated surface. It is a useful maintenance option for dullness, rough texture and pre-event skin preparation when a stronger peeling cycle is not the goal.
Think of Dermaplane MicroPeel as a different category from VI Precision Plus, a strong PCA Jessner or TCA-based corrective peel. It is designed to refresh the surface rather than create a dramatic multi-day peeling cycle.
How Much Peeling Do You Want?
Light Peel vs. Corrective Peel
Surface Refresh
ZO Stimulator, Dermaplane MicroPeel and other light customized AHA treatments when visible peeling needs to be minimal.
Corrective Professional Peel
VI Peel and selected PCA Jessner treatments when correction is more important than immediate social downtime.
TCA / Stronger Combination Peel
ZO 3-Step and customized TCA strategies when a more intensive renewal response is appropriate.
Nina Crytser
Licensed Medical Esthetician
Experience Matters
Why We Carry More Than One Chemical Peel
Nina Crytser has worked in medical aesthetics since 2003 and uses multiple peel systems because the same chemistry does not make sense for every skin condition.
An oily acne client may benefit from salicylic-driven exfoliation. Persistent pigment may need exfoliation plus pigment suppressors. Mature photodamaged skin may need a different level of correction, while someone preparing for an event may simply want a superficial refresh.
The treatment can also change over time. As acne improves, pigment may become the primary concern. As sun damage clears, maintenance may replace correction.
South Charlotte
Chemical Peels Near Ballantyne & Waverly
Modern Skin Clinic provides customized professional chemical peels in South Charlotte for acne, pigmentation, melasma, sun damage, rough texture, fine lines and ongoing skin maintenance.
Our Golf Links Drive location is convenient to Ballantyne, Waverly, Rea Farms, Blakeney, Piper Glen, Providence, SouthPark, Matthews, Pineville and Waxhaw.
Modern Skin Clinic
11030 Golf Links Drive
Charlotte, NC 28277
Phone
704-771-1747
Professional VI Peel, PCA Jessner, ZO, TCA and customized chemical exfoliation selected according to your skin and treatment goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chemical Peel FAQs
What is the best chemical peel for hyperpigmentation?
What is the best chemical peel for acne and clogged pores?
Which chemical peel is best for acne marks and dark spots?
What is the difference between a Jessner peel and TCA peel?
What is the difference between PCA Peel Hydroquinone Free and PCA Peel with Hydroquinone?
What is the strongest PCA Jessner peel?
What is the difference between ZO Stimulator Peel and ZO 3-Step Peel?
Which peel has glycolic acid?
Which peel has salicylic acid?
Which peel has lactic acid?
How much downtime is there after a chemical peel?
Can I get a chemical peel before an event?
Where can I get a VI Peel, PCA Peel or ZO Peel near Ballantyne?
VI · PCA · ZO · TCA · Customized Peels
Not Sure Which Chemical Peel Your Skin Actually Needs?
Start with the skin concern. We can choose the acid blend, intensity and expected recovery based on what you want to improve — acne, pigment, melasma, sun damage, texture or simply healthier-looking skin.
