Spa Services
Our skin treatments sit at the entry level of skin rejuvenation: chemical peels and microneedling, performed by our aesthetic team without surgery, anesthesia or meaningful downtime. They improve skin texture, tone and clarity over a course of sessions. They are not a substitute for laser resurfacing, and for significant sun damage or deeper lines we will tell you so rather than sell you a series of peels.
Which treatment do I need?
| What you want to improve | Treatment | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Dullness, uneven tone, pigmentation, mild sun damage | VI Peel | Chemical peel that exfoliates the surface and stimulates renewal |
| Acne scars, surgical scars, stretch marks, enlarged pores, general texture | Microneedling | Fine needles create controlled micro-injury, stimulating collagen |
| The same concerns, with more collagen stimulation and mild tightening | RF Microneedling | Microneedling plus radiofrequency heat delivered at the needle tips |
How these treatments differ
All three work by controlled injury that prompts the skin to repair itself. They differ in how they deliver that injury and how deep it goes.
- A peel works from the surface down. It removes the outer layer chemically, which is why it is effective for pigment, tone and clarity but limited for texture and scarring.
- Microneedling works from the inside out. It bypasses the surface and creates thousands of tiny channels in the dermis, which is why it is the better option for scars and pore size.
- RF microneedling adds heat. The radiofrequency energy at the needle tips produces a stronger collagen response than needling alone, along with a modest tightening effect.
Where these fit alongside our other treatments
These are maintenance and mild-correction treatments. If your main concern is deeper, a different tool does more:
- Significant sun damage, deeper lines or textural change — laser resurfacing achieves considerably more in a single treatment, with real downtime in exchange.
- Brown spots, redness and broken capillaries — IPL / Fotofacial targets pigment and vessels more directly than a peel.
- Precancerous sun damage — Levulan photodynamic therapy treats the underlying damage, not just its appearance.
- Skin laxity — Thermage or Ultherapy. Needling produces only mild tightening.
- Lines from muscle movement — BOTOX or Dysport. No skin treatment addresses these.
Who is a good candidate?
- Mild to moderate concerns with texture, tone, pore size or superficial scarring
- Someone who wants gradual improvement without downtime
- Willingness to complete a course — a single session of any of these produces limited change
- Anyone maintaining the result of a more substantial treatment
Who is not a good candidate?
- Anyone expecting a single session to transform their skin. These treatments work cumulatively.
- Active acne outbreaks, open lesions or skin infection in the treatment area.
- Patients on isotretinoin (Accutane) currently or recently — needling and peels are deferred.
- A history of keloid scarring, where any controlled injury carries added risk.
- Deep wrinkles or advanced photodamage. Laser resurfacing is the honest answer.
What does it cost?
VI Peel starts at $300 for the Original formulation, with Advanced, Precision Plus for pigmentation and Purify Plus for acne scarring priced slightly higher. Microneedling can be combined with PRP or PRF, which is priced by the number of regions treated.
Current pricing for all treatments and package terms is on our non-surgical pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
How many sessions will I need?
Typically a series of three to six, spaced several weeks apart, followed by periodic maintenance. The exact course depends on the treatment and what you are addressing.
Is there downtime?
Minimal. Expect redness resembling a mild sunburn for one to three days. A peel produces visible flaking for several days, which is the point of the treatment rather than a complication.
Does microneedling hurt?
Topical numbing is applied beforehand and most patients find it comfortable. RF microneedling is felt slightly more because of the added heat.
Are these safe for darker skin?
Microneedling and RF microneedling are generally safe across skin types because they do not rely on light absorbed by pigment. Peels require more care in darker skin, and the formulation is chosen accordingly.
When will I see results?
Surface brightness appears within a week of a peel. Collagen-driven change from needling develops over four to twelve weeks and continues building across a course of treatments.
Can I combine these with injectables?
Yes. Many patients combine skin treatments with neuromodulators and fillers, which address different problems. Timing within a single visit is planned by your provider.
Will microneedling help my acne scars?
It helps, particularly with rolling and shallow scars. Deep ice-pick scarring responds better to laser resurfacing or a combined approach, and we will be straightforward about which category yours falls into.
Next steps
A consultation will tell you whether a course of skin treatments will get you what you want, or whether a single more substantial treatment would serve you better.
Schedule a consultation or ask us a question.
Medically reviewed by Sam Naficy, MD, FACS, board-certified facial plastic surgeon and medical director, Naficy Plastic Surgery & Rejuvenation Center, Bellevue, Washington.
