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VI Peel Precision Plus · Chemical Peel · Scottsdale, AZChemical peels in Scottsdale
Chemical peels in Scottsdale
tailored to Arizona skin
Arizona's bright, sunny climate makes melasma and pigmentation the skin concern we see most. VI Peel Precision Plus in Scottsdale is formulated for exactly that, and it's a thoughtful choice for every skin tone, including where heat-based treatments call for caution.
- Treatment type
- Medium-depth chemical peel
- Appointment
- 30 minutes
- Peeling
- Days 3–5
- Series
- Typically 3–6 peels
Formulated for pigment
Precision Plus
Safe on every skin tone
For all Fitzpatrick types
Performed by a nurse practitioner
Medical-grade care
Care that lasts
Beyond the peel itself
What a VI Peel isA medium-depth peel,
A medium-depth peel,
remarkably comfortable
The VI Peel is a medium-depth chemical peel that blends trichloroacetic acid, retinoic acid, salicylic acid, phenol and vitamin C. Together they work deeper than a superficial peel while staying remarkably comfortable. Most patients feel tingling and warmth for a few minutes, and that's all.
Precision Plus is the version we choose most often for our patients. It adds hydroquinone and kojic acid, which suppress pigment production as well as lifting pigmented cells. For melasma and sun damage, which are so common in the desert sun after thirty-five, that is what helps results last well beyond the first few weeks.
The peel is self-neutralizing. It stays on your skin for four to five hours after your appointment, you rinse it off at home, and peeling begins around day three.
What it is
- ✓A medium-depth peel that reaches pigment lighter peels cannot
- ✓Safe on all skin tones, a thoughtful choice where heat calls for caution
- ✓Comfortable, with tingling and warmth rather than significant discomfort
- ✓Most effective as a series, with maintenance afterward
What it isn't
- ✕A volume treatment; it doesn't address hollowing or lines at rest
- ✕A permanent cure for melasma, which is chronic and managed over time
- ✕Downtime-free; expect visible peeling for several days
- ✕A substitute for daily sun protection, especially in this climate
How we price peelsPer peel,
Book a consultationPer peel,
with your series planned
VI Peel is $349 per peel, and most patients benefit from a series of three to six, spaced four weeks apart. At your complimentary consultation we assess your pigment type and depth, recommend the number of peels suited to your skin, and share your series total so you can plan with confidence from the start.
Your series is planned around the depth and type of your pigment. In this climate, most patients enjoy maintenance peels two to three times a year.
What it treatsNine concerns a VI Peel
Book a ConsultationNine concerns a VI Peel
beautifully improves
Peels care for the surface and the pigment beneath it. Here is what responds, about how many peels it takes, and where another treatment may suit you better.
Melasma
4–6 peels, then maintenance
Symmetrical brown patches on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip, influenced by hormones and deepened by sun. Precision Plus suppresses pigment production as well as lifting it, and melasma is managed over time with care.
Precision Plus formulation
Sun damage & dark spots
3–4 peels
Discrete brown spots from cumulative UV exposure. These respond quickly and completely, and often clear substantially within a series of three.
Fastest pigment response
Post-acne marks
3–4 peels
The brown or red marks left after a blemish heals. These are pigment rather than scarring and respond well; for acne scarring, we recommend microneedling.
Pigment, not scarring
Uneven tone
3 peels
Overall patchiness and mottling that can make skin look tired, however well you sleep. Often the first improvement patients notice.
Evens overall tone
Dullness
2–3 peels
Skin that has lost its glow. Cell turnover slows with age and sun exposure; a peel refreshes it, and the change is usually visible after the first.
Restores light reflection
Congestion & mild acne
3–4 peels
The salicylic acid component clears follicles and reduces oil. For active inflammatory or cystic acne, we calm the skin medically first, then peel.
Best once cystic acne is calm
Fine lines & texture
4 peels
Surface lines and rough texture soften as the outer layers renew. For lines caused by movement, a neuromodulator is the better fit.
Surface lines only
Neck, chest & hands
4–6 peels
Areas that show Arizona sun early and often go untreated. They heal more gently than the face, so peels are spaced further apart.
Gentler healing, longer spacing
Deep static wrinkles
Another treatment suits
Lines that remain at complete rest call for volume or resurfacing rather than pigment care. We'll guide you to filler, microneedling or a laser referral.
We'll guide you
How a VI Peel worksWhat happens
What happens
to your skin
A peel works in two ways: it lifts pigmented cells and it calms the production of new pigment. The second is what helps results last.
1
The solution is applied in layers
Skin is cleansed and degreased, then the peel is applied in successive layers, with assessment between each. Depth is tailored to your skin type and pigment rather than a fixed protocol.
2
Bonds between surface cells loosen
The acid blend loosens the bonds holding dull and pigmented cells at the surface. You'll feel tingling and warmth for three to five minutes, then it settles. The peel is self-neutralizing and stays on after your visit.
3
Pigment production is suppressed
In Precision Plus, hydroquinone and kojic acid inhibit tyrosinase, the enzyme that produces melanin. This addresses the source of pigment as well as its appearance, which is why this formulation suits melasma so well.
4
The outer layers shed
Peeling starts around day three and finishes by day five to seven. It is a light flaking rather than sheeting, most noticeable around the mouth and nose. Let it shed naturally.
5
New skin, and new collagen
Fresh, evenly toned skin is revealed underneath, and the gentle, controlled renewal encourages collagen production over the following weeks. Each peel in a series builds on the last.
Your appointmentThirty minutes,
Thirty minutes,
and a quiet evening at home
✓
Skin assessment
We identify the type of pigment you have (melasma behaves differently from sun spots and post-acne marks), note your Fitzpatrick type, and review your medications and history.
✓
Cleanse and degrease
Your skin is thoroughly cleansed and degreased so the solution penetrates evenly, for a smooth, even result.
✓
Application in layers
Applied in successive layers, with assessment between each. You'll feel tingling and warmth for three to five minutes; a small fan keeps you comfortable.
✓
Home with the peel on
It is self-neutralizing and stays on for four to five hours. You'll leave with a light tint and can go about a quiet evening at home.
✓
Rinse and aftercare kit
You rinse at home that evening and begin your post-peel kit. Before you leave, we walk you through the next seven days, including what to expect on day three.
Real patient resultsVI Peel
VI Peel
before and after
Individual results vary. All photographs are of KORA patients, unretouched, in identical lighting and framing, shared with written consent.
Peeling and recovery
VI Peel timeline, day by day
A VI Peel brings visible peeling from day 3 to day 5, finishing by day 7. Skin feels tight for the first two days before peeling begins. Most patients benefit from a series of 3 to 6 peels spaced 4 weeks apart, with maintenance two to three times a year.
Day 0 · TreatmentDay 1 · TightnessDay 2 · Quiet phaseDay 3–5 · Peeling
TreatmentRecovery progressesLater stage
Planning for an event? Schedule your peel at least two weeks ahead. Peeling on days three to five is visible, and you'll want your fresh skin settled before photographs.
MelasmaLong-term care
Long-term care
for lasting clarity
Melasma is a chronic condition influenced by hormones and triggered by UV and heat, so it is managed over time rather than cured. A Precision Plus series suppresses pigment production and lifts existing pigment. What keeps it away is daily mineral sun protection, a prescribed home regimen and avoiding the heat exposure that drives it, which takes a little extra care in Arizona. Patients who pair their treatment with consistent protection often keep their results for years. We'll talk through the long-term plan at your consultation, so you know exactly what to expect from the start and feel supported well beyond your final peel.
- ✓Precision Plus suppresses pigment production at its source
- ✓Daily mineral SPF is an essential part of your treatment
- ✓Maintenance peels 2–3 times a year in this climate
Gentle on every skin toneA thoughtful choice
A thoughtful choice
for every skin tone
For pigmentation in deeper skin tones, some resurfacing and IPL devices call for caution because of the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Heat is also a direct melasma trigger, and melasma treated with certain lasers can rebound darker. VI Peel is a chemical rather than thermal treatment and is safe across all Fitzpatrick types. A laser has its place for some concerns, and for melasma and deeper skin tones a peel is frequently the safer first choice. If a laser would suit your skin better, we'll arrange a referral.
- ✓No heat, so no thermal melasma trigger
- ✓Safe across Fitzpatrick types I–VI
- ✓Laser referral when it suits you better
Arizona skinCare designed for
Care designed for
the desert sun
Scottsdale sits at a high UV index for much of the year, and the cumulative dose here is substantially higher than in much of the country. It can show up as earlier photodamage, more persistent melasma and pigmentation on the chest, arms and hands. That is why sun protection is so central to your results. Every peel series comes with a home regimen and a mineral SPF plan tailored to you, because in this climate your daily care is half the treatment.
- ✓Mineral SPF 30+ daily, reapplied
- ✓Home regimen prescribed to your pigment type
- ✓Neck, chest and hands can be treated too
Which VI Peel is right for youA peel formula
A peel formula
chosen for your skin
VI Peel comes in several formulations, each with its own purpose. The Original suits younger skin, general dullness and first-time peel patients. Precision Plus adds hydroquinone and kojic acid for melasma, sun damage and persistent pigmentation, and it's the version we use most often. Purify focuses on active congestion and acne. Purify with Precision Plus cares for acne together with the marks it leaves behind, a very common combination. We choose your formulation together at consultation, based on your pigment type and skin condition.
Our most chosen
Precision Plus
For acne
Purify
Chosen at
Consultation
Peel, microneedling, skincare or laser
What is the best treatment for melasma and pigmentation?
For melasma, a Precision Plus series combined with daily sun protection and a prescribed home regimen is usually the safest effective approach, particularly in deeper skin tones, where heat-based devices call for caution. Microneedling treats texture and scarring rather than pigment. Skincare alone works gradually and is what maintains any result. Lasers are powerful and well suited to some pigment, though for melasma they call for real care.
| Compare | This treatmentVI Peel Precision Plus | Pairs withSkinPen microneedling | Pairs withMedical-grade skincare | AlternativeLaser resurfacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Melasma, sun damage, uneven tone | Acne scarring, pores, rough texture | Maintaining any result, slow steady improvement | Certain discrete pigment and deeper resurfacing |
| What it does | Removes pigmented cells and suppresses new pigment | Rebuilds collagen through controlled micro-injury | Suppresses pigment daily and protects from UV | Uses heat and light to target pigment or resurface |
| Onset | Result per peel at 2 weeks | Week 2 onward | 8–12 weeks | Varies |
| Typically lasts | Maintained with 2–3 peels a year | Structural and lasting | As long as you use it | Varies |
Chemical peel costHow much does a VI Peel chemical peel cost
How much does a VI Peel chemical peel cost
in Scottsdale?
VI Peel Precision Plus is $349 per peel, and the post-peel aftercare kit is included. Because results build over a series, your complimentary consultation includes a recommendation on how many peels your skin needs, so you know your full series total before you begin.
| Peel | Frequency | Priced | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| VI Peel Precision Plus | Per peel | Per peel | $349 |
| Consultation & aftercare kit | — | — | Complimentary |
Meet your providers
Three nurse practitioners,, one standard of skin care
KORA Aesthetics was founded by Katie Manhardt, MSN, FNP-C, a board-certified family nurse practitioner and national clinical trainer. She is joined by Audrey Bakken, NP, a board-certified nurse practitioner with more than 23 years in medicine and over a decade in aesthetics, whose focus includes skin health and microneedling, and by Dana Nichols, NP, whose nine years in the ICU shape her calm, detail-oriented care.
Every chemical peel is performed by one of our board-certified nurse practitioners, beginning with a careful skin assessment and a plan built around your pigment and goals.
Board-Certified Nurse PractitionersZO Skin Health Authorized ProviderFounder Is a National Clinical TrainerEvery Peel Performed by an NP
✦
Assessed by a nurse practitioner
Pigment type, Fitzpatrick type, medications and history all guide the formulation and depth. Melasma responds best to a measured, tailored approach.
✦
Precision Plus for this climate
The formulation with hydroquinone and kojic acid, which suppresses pigment production as well as lifting what is visible. Ideal for the pigment Arizona sun creates.
Loved by patients
What Scottsdale says about peels at KORA
Katie with KORA Aesthetics is amazing! She is so knowledgeable and effortlessly walked me through each step of a very needed skin care regimen. I trust her with all skin and facial needs
Kelsey Harrington
Google
So professional, comfortable and natural. Katie is awesome, I will be trusting her with my skin care for life.
Meghan O'Brien
Google
Peel preparation & aftercare
How to prep & how to care for your skin
Start about one week ahead
- Stop retinoids, glycolic and salicylic acids and all exfoliating actives for 5 to 7 days beforehand.
- Avoid sun exposure and self-tan for two weeks. We treat skin that is free of sunburn, tan or recent exposure, which takes a little extra care in Arizona.
- No waxing, threading, laser or hair removal on the area for a week.
- Let us know about any cold sore history. Peels can trigger an outbreak, and we may prescribe antiviral cover.
- Let us know if you have taken isotretinoin in the last six months, or have an aspirin or salicylate allergy, since the peel contains salicylic acid.
- Plan your week. Peeling on days three to five is visible; treat at least two weeks before any event.
- Let us know if you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding. We'll wait to treat you until the timing is right.
The next seven days
- Leave the peel on for four to five hours, then rinse with cool water and follow the kit instructions.
- On days one and two your skin will feel tight and look slightly darker, with no peeling yet. This is completely normal, and the peel is working.
- Let the peeling skin shed on its own, without pulling, picking or exfoliating. Pulling it can cause pigmentation and scarring.
- Moisturize generously and often. Comfortable skin peels more evenly.
- Mineral SPF 30+ every day, reapplied. New skin is delicate and sun can undo the treatment.
- Skip exercise, sauna, steam and hot tubs for 48 hours. Heat is a direct melasma trigger.
- Pause actives, retinoids and acids until peeling is fully complete and we let you know to restart.
- Call us for blistering, spreading redness, heat, pus or fever. These are rare, and we'll want to see you promptly.
Good to know
Peel questions, thoughtfully answered
Basics
What is a VI Peel?+
The VI Peel is a medium-depth chemical peel blending trichloroacetic acid, retinoic acid, salicylic acid, phenol and vitamin C. It reaches deeper than a superficial peel while staying remarkably comfortable, and it is safe across all skin tones.
Melasma
What is the best treatment for melasma on the face?+
For most patients, a course of VI Peel Precision Plus combined with daily mineral sun protection and a prescribed home regimen. Precision Plus contains hydroquinone and kojic acid, which suppress pigment production as well as lifting existing pigment. Melasma is chronic, so it is managed over time rather than cured, and heat-based devices call for caution.
Peel or laser for pigmentation?+
It depends on the pigment. Discrete sun spots often respond well to either. For melasma, heat is a direct trigger and certain lasers can cause it to rebound darker, so a peel is usually the safer first approach. If a laser would suit you better, we'll arrange a referral.
Will my pigmentation come back?+
Arizona's high UV means melasma and sun damage can return without ongoing care. Daily mineral SPF, a home regimen and maintenance peels two to three times a year keep your skin clear and even. We'll build that plan with you, tailored to your pigment.
Cost
How much does a VI Peel chemical peel cost in Scottsdale?+
At KORA in Scottsdale, VI Peel Precision Plus is $349 per peel, and the aftercare kit is included. Most patients benefit from a series of three to six, and we share your series total at consultation.
How many peels will I need?+
Sun damage and post-acne marks often improve substantially within three to four. Melasma usually needs four to six plus ongoing maintenance. We'll recommend a series at your consultation.
Treatment
Does a VI Peel hurt?+
Very little. Expect tingling and warmth for three to five minutes during application, which settles quickly. It is remarkably comfortable for a peel of this depth.
Recovery
How long does peeling last?+
Peeling begins around day three and finishes by day five to seven. It is light flaking rather than sheeting, most noticeable around the mouth and nose. On days one and two your skin will feel tight, with no peeling yet.
Can I wear makeup while peeling?+
Mineral makeup from day two onward is fine, though it may cling to flaking areas. Many patients find generous moisturizer and mineral SPF more comfortable than covering it.
Safety
Is a VI Peel safe for darker skin tones?+
Yes. It is safe across all Fitzpatrick types, including deeper skin tones, where some resurfacing and IPL devices call for caution because of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. For melasma in darker skin it is frequently the safer choice.
Who should not have a VI Peel?+
We'll wait to treat anyone pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding; anyone who has taken isotretinoin within six months; anyone with an aspirin or salicylate allergy, since the peel contains salicylic acid; anyone with an active cold sore or skin infection; and anyone with sunburnt or freshly tanned skin.
Results
Peel or microneedling?+
Pigment is color; texture is surface. If your concern is brown patches, sun damage or uneven tone, a peel is the right fit. For acne scarring, pore size or rough texture, microneedling is ideal. Many patients combine both, spaced apart.
Location
Do you treat patients from Paradise Valley?+
Frequently. Our clinic is on 69th Street just south of Shea — inside Scottsdale, a few hundred yards from the Paradise Valley boundary, usually a five to ten minute drive from most of PV.
Where in Scottsdale are you located?+
10505 N 69th Street, Suite 1300, Scottsdale, AZ 85253 — at 69th Street just south of Shea Boulevard, with free private parking. We are appointment only.
Chemical peels across Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and the Valley
Our clinic sits at 69th Street just south of Shea — inside Scottsdale, and a few hundred yards from the Paradise Valley town line. Patients travel to us from across the East Valley.
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Thirty minutes, a plan for your skin
A thoughtful pigment assessment, the right peel formulation for your skin, a series planned around your goals, and the home regimen that keeps your results through an Arizona summer.
✓
Worried about the peeling?
It's light flaking on days three to five, most noticeable around the mouth and nose. Treat on a Wednesday or Thursday and you'll be past the most visible stage by the weekend.
✓
Considering a laser for melasma?
A laser can suit some pigment, though heat is a direct melasma trigger and certain lasers can cause it to rebound darker. We'll assess your pigment type and recommend the approach that best suits your skin.
✓
Tried peels before?
Lasting results come from pairing peels with protection. Pigment returns quickly in this climate without daily mineral SPF and a home regimen. Bring your current routine and we'll tailor a plan around it.
✓
Have a deeper skin tone?
VI Peel is safe across all Fitzpatrick types, making it a thoughtful, effective pigment treatment for deeper skin tones, with no heat involved.