What It Is
Acne, breakouts, congestion, and the marks and scarring they leave behind are among the most common reasons patients seek professional skin treatment. Over-the-counter products can help with surface-level maintenance, but when acne persists or leaves lasting texture and pigment changes, in-office treatments deliver results that topicals cannot do alone.
Charlotte Medical Aesthetics offers a targeted approach to acne and post-acne skin, including medical-grade chemical peels, customized facials, microneedling, and laser treatments. These treatments are selected and supervised under the medical direction of Dr. Lindsay Crenshaw and are often combined in a multi-step protocol tailored to your skin.
The right treatment depends on what is driving the concern. Active acne, post-inflammatory pigment, and acne scarring each respond to different approaches. Your provider will evaluate your skin and build a plan that addresses the root issue, not just the symptoms.
Brands and Products
Vi Peel
A medical-grade, medium-depth chemical peel with targeted formulations, including Purify for active acne and oily skin and Precision Plus for post-acne pigmentation. Vi Peel is safe for all Fitzpatrick skin types (I-VI), including darker tones that many peels exclude. Application takes 20-45 minutes, with peeling that starts around day 3 (about 2-3 days of visible peeling) and full results visible at 4-6 weeks.
Microneedling (SkinPen)
SkinPen, the first FDA-cleared microneedling device, uses pinpoint needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the dermis that stimulate collagen. It is not used over active acne, but it is highly effective for acne scarring and uneven texture once breakouts are controlled. Safe for all skin types and tones.
Lasers and Light-Based Treatments (Motus AZ+, Nordlys, and CO2)
Lasers can help calm active acne and treat the marks it leaves behind. The Motus AZ+ and Candela Nordlys target active breakouts along with post-acne redness and brown marks, while the CO2 laser (DEKA Tetra Pro) resurfaces deeper texture and scarring. Light-based and heat-based treatments can be effective in helping with discoloration, active lesions, and scarring.
Who It's For
These treatments are suited for patients dealing with active acne, breakouts, congestion, acne scarring, and post-acne pigmentation. They are effective across all skin types, with Vi Peel being one of the few medical-grade peels validated for darker skin tones.
For active acne, medical-grade chemical peels and customized facials help calm breakouts and congestion. Microneedling is not performed over active acne, but it is an excellent option for acne scarring and textural concerns once breakouts are controlled. Lasers, including the Motus AZ+ and Nordlys, can also help calm active acne and fade post-acne redness and brown marks.
As part of your plan, we will guide your at-home skincare regimen and offer medical-grade products to support and extend your in-office results.
Patients with active cold sores, open wounds, or certain skin conditions in the treatment area should discuss timing with their provider. If you are currently using prescription retinoids, your provider may recommend a brief pause before treatment. Because some oral antibiotics increase the skin's sensitivity to light, we may ask you to stop certain antibiotics before laser or light-based treatments.
What to Expect
Before Your Treatment
Your provider will assess your skin type, current skincare routine, and specific concerns. Based on this evaluation, they will recommend a Vi Peel, microneedling, a laser treatment, or a combination protocol. If a Vi Peel is planned, you may be asked to discontinue retinoids or exfoliating products for several days prior. Because some oral antibiotics increase the skin's sensitivity to light, we may ask you to stop certain antibiotics before laser or light-based treatments.
During Your Treatment
Comfort varies by treatment, but most involve minimal discomfort, with numbing used where needed to make an otherwise uncomfortable procedure more tolerable. For microneedling, we numb the skin for 20-30 minutes before treatment. Lasers can sometimes be uncomfortable, and your provider manages comfort throughout. A Vi Peel involves a mild tingling or warming sensation and self-neutralizes, left on for several hours before being washed off at home.
After Your Treatment
After a Vi Peel, peeling begins around day 3 and lasts 2-3 days, with total downtime of about 5-7 days. After microneedling and laser treatments, your skin may be red for a couple of days, and pigment can appear more obvious until it resolves after about a week. Many of these treatments also deliver visible improvement right away. After a Vi Peel, for example, you have fresh, renewed skin once the peeling finishes at about a week, while the deeper collagen stimulation keeps building over the following weeks. Avoid direct sun exposure and follow the aftercare instructions provided by your provider. Full results build over 4-6 weeks, and a series of treatments is often recommended for scarring and pigment.
Treatment Areas
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference Between a Vi Peel and Microneedling?
A Vi Peel is a medium-depth chemical peel that treats acne, pigment, and texture at the surface and just below, with about 5-7 days of total downtime. Microneedling damages the dermis using pinpoint needles to stimulate collagen, which improves acne scarring and uneven texture. They serve different purposes and are often combined in a multi-treatment protocol. Microneedling is not performed over active acne.
Is Vi Peel Safe for Dark Skin Tones?
Yes. Vi Peel is one of the few medical-grade chemical peels validated as safe for all Fitzpatrick skin types, including types V and VI. Its formulation is designed to deliver medium-depth results without the hyperpigmentation risk that many peels carry for darker complexions. The Precision Plus variant is specifically formulated for pigmentation concerns.
How Long Does the Peeling Last After a Vi Peel?
Active peeling typically begins around day 3 and lasts about 2-3 days, with total downtime of roughly 5-7 days. The degree of visible peeling varies by individual. Some patients experience light flaking while others have more noticeable shedding. Full results are visible at 4-6 weeks as new skin matures and collagen remodeling continues beneath the surface.
Is There Any Downtime With Microneedling?
Microneedling usually involves 2-3 days of redness, similar to a mild sunburn. A Vi Peel involves about 5-7 days of total downtime, with 2-3 days of active peeling. Your provider will let you know what to expect based on your specific treatment plan.
How Often Should I Get These Treatments?
For Vi Peel, a series of 3-6 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart produces optimal results, with periodic maintenance after that. Microneedling for acne scarring is typically a series of 3-6 sessions about 4 weeks apart. Your provider will build a schedule based on your goals and how your skin responds.
Can I Combine Acne Treatments With Other Services?
Yes. Vi Peel pairs well with microneedling (SkinPen) for patients seeking comprehensive skin rejuvenation once active acne is controlled. For deeper scarring, we may combine CO2 laser with microneedling, and for active acne and pigment we may add laser treatments to your plan. Your provider will recommend the right combination and spacing for your treatment plan.