Acne Doesn’t Care How Old You Are

If you thought breakouts were something you’d leave behind in high school, you’re not alone in being frustrated that they didn’t. At DWH Med Spa, a large share of the patients who come to us about acne are adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s — dealing with hormonal breakouts, stress-triggered flare-ups, or the scarring left behind from years of fighting blemishes on their own.

Whatever brought you here, the goal is the same: calmer, clearer, more even skin — without guessing your way through another round of drugstore products that promise more than they deliver.

What’s Actually Causing Your Breakouts

Acne happens when oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria clog your pores, and what triggers that varies a lot from person to person. Hormonal shifts (think: monthly cycles, pregnancy, perimenopause, or stress hormones like cortisol) are one of the most common adult acne triggers. Genetics, certain medications, and even the wrong skincare routine for your skin type can all play a role too.

Because the causes are so individual, treating acne effectively usually means going deeper than the surface — which is exactly where the VI Peel comes in.

Why We Recommend the VI Peel First

The VI Peel is a medium-depth chemical peel that combines TCA, salicylic acid, and other active ingredients into a single treatment that does two jobs at once: it calms current breakouts by clearing clogged pores and reducing acne-causing bacteria, and it resurfaces the skin to soften the scarring and dark marks that old acne leaves behind.

We reach for the VI Peel as a first-line acne treatment for a few practical reasons. It’s formulated to be safe across all skin tones and skin types, which isn’t true of every laser-based option. It addresses active breakouts and past scarring in the same session, instead of requiring two separate treatment plans. And it’s a 30-minute, in-office treatment with a predictable, manageable recovery — no surgical downtime, no guesswork about what happens next.

For patients who need it, we also offer microdermabrasion, fractional laser (ResurFX), photofacial, and microneedling as part of a broader acne treatment plan — you can see the full range on our main acne treatment page. But for most patients starting out, the VI Peel is where we begin.

What to Expect During and After Your VI Peel

The treatment itself takes about 30 minutes in-office. You won’t see much change immediately — the real work happens over the following week. Around day three, your skin will begin to peel (this is normal and it’s the treatment doing its job), and the peeling typically resolves within about a week.

Most patients see the best results from a series of three peels, spaced four to six weeks apart, which gives your skin time to fully recover and rebuild between sessions. Many patients notice calmer, more even-toned skin after just the first treatment, with scarring and texture continuing to improve across the full series.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does acne get worse before it gets better?

It can, briefly. Purging — where clogged pores work their way to the surface faster than usual — is a normal short-term response to peels and some other acne treatments, and it typically settles within the first week or two. If breakouts seem to be getting worse for longer than that, or you’re not seeing improvement after your first VI Peel, let us know at your follow-up so we can adjust your plan.

How is the VI Peel different from laser or microneedling for acne?

Lasers and microneedling work primarily on the skin’s surface and texture; the VI Peel’s chemical formula reaches a bit deeper to address the bacteria and clogged pores actually causing breakouts, while still resurfacing scarring. Many patients start with a VI Peel series and add microneedling or laser later for additional texture refinement.

Will the VI Peel help with acne scarring, or only active breakouts?

Both. The exfoliating action that clears active acne is the same action that gradually softens the appearance of acne scars and dark marks over a series of treatments.

How many VI Peel sessions will I need?

Most patients do a series of three, spaced four to six weeks apart. Your provider will tailor this to how your skin responds after the first session.

Ready to Get Ahead of Your Acne?

Request a complimentary consultation with the DWH Med Spa team and we’ll build a treatment plan around your skin — not a one-size-fits-all routine. Call us at 804-447-2303 or request your consultation online. DWH Med Spa is located at 11739 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23233.