I Tried a "Fiberglass Facial," and It Made My Skin Look So Good

Despite working in beauty for years and having a love affair with an excessive skin-care routine, I've always been one to opt for base makeup over a fresh face. Years of hormonal acne have left me with subtle scarring and pigmentation that my topical products could never quite erase. Factor in seasonal melasma flare-ups, and my skin simply never met my standards for rocking a bare face in public. Aside from occasional errands and gym sessions, I rarely left the house without my foundation applied and my concealer for touch-ups stowed away in my handbag. It wasn't until a trusted aesthetician turned me on to the Green Peel - a treatment notoriously dubbed the "fiberglass facial" - that I was able to get my skin looking good enough to go makeup-free on the regular. Now, I sometimes even prefer it over a full face of makeup. This intense, effective, and completely natural herbal peel, designed to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation, has completely changed my relationship with my skin. Keep scrolling for all the details. Experts Featured in This Article Samantha Susca is a licensed aesthetician and owner of Refinery4 facial studio in Lower Manhattan. What Is a Green Peel, aka the Fiberglass Facial? "The Green Peel is a type of peel that uses herbs instead of acids, to exfoliate the surface layers of the skin - just like a chemical peel would - with the goal of targeting pigmentation and inducing collagen growth," aesthetician Samantha Susca tells PS. "The intended result of the facial is clearer skin that is healthier overall, with less pigment and inflammation." Originally formulated by Dr. Christine Schrammek, the Green Peel is available in three iterations: Classic, Energy, and Fresh Up, each with a slightly different herb concentration and application method, as well as post-care treatment. Susca notes that Fresh Up peels can be done weekly for six consecutive weeks, while Energy peels can be done every two weeks for the same period. Classics, which are the most intensive, can be done once a month at most. Over the last year, I've received six Energy Green Peels every two or so months in preparation for my wedding day. We landed on the Energy peel after discussing my weekly schedule, with Susca determining that the Classic wouldn't really suit my lifestyle (aka, the need to be in public for work-related events days after the treatment without my face shedding). Before my first Energy Green Peel, Susca warned me of the treatment's notorious nickname and the explanation behind it. "It's called the Fiberglass Facial because it actually feels like small shards of glass or fiberglass on the surface of the skin as the herbs are worked into the skin," she explained, noting the sensation can sometimes last up to 24 hours. More intrigued than intimidated, I gave her the OK to proceed. What to Expect During a Green Peel Treatment At first, I approached the peel as an alternative to microneedling, another treatment I enjoy but rarely get because of the required downtime. Susca notes that Green Peels can actually be done in addition to microneedling and even work well to prep the skin for future microneedling sessions; that said, it can be a great alternative for folks who aren't good microneedling candidates, as the treatment is entirely herbal. Because of this, most people are good candidates for Green Peels, as they suit all skin types and tones. "It's a fantastic option for inflamed acne, as well as post-acne pigmentation and healing," says Susca. Immediately Post-Treatment After a thorough double cleanse and an herbal toner (Susca and I both swear by the Dr. Schrammek Herbal Care Lotion), Susca begins the treatment by mixing up a concoction of the Green Peel's signature herbs, which she then rubs into the skin in a circular outward motion so as to follow the pathways of the lymphatic system. While the application process wasn't particularly painful for me, my skin did instantly feel extremely hot and a bit uncomfortable. Fortunately, it's temporary. As the herbs are rubbed into the skin, the face becomes increasingly redder, which Susca notes is due to oxygenation of the skin, not irritation. After the herbs are applied and massaged into the skin, they're rinsed off, followed by a mask and post-care products, which vary depending on the type of Green Peel you've received. For my Energy peel, it's a cream-based mask; a welcome relief after the herbs. "During this time, I personally incorporate methods like high frequency or microcurrent into the treatments," shares Susca, which I also experienced during my treatment. Not only were these additional steps beneficial to my skin, but they also gave me time to relax and enjoy the more soothing elements of a traditional luxury facial after such an intensive peel application. Results From a Green Peel I always leave this treatment looking especially red and a little bit nuts, but eager for the results. Immediately, I can feel the "fiberglass" sensation Susca warned me about, like little pinpricks on the face. While not necessarily comfortable, it isn't painful. It's actually weirdly cool, and only sticks around for about a day. Post-treatment is when the real magic happens - although, as I learned first-hand, not everyone experiences dramatic shedding. When I first researched the Green Peel on Titok, I saw videos of people with layers of their skin peeling off in chunks. Exciting! For me personally, it ended up being only some light flaking around the jawline about three days in (not even enough to be visible in photos when I tried to document it for this story). A bit underwhelming, but in retrospect, far easier to manage than if I'd had an extreme reaction. "Everyone is different, and each level of treatment is different, but typically the skin will start to peel on day three or four with the full results peaking after about a week," says Susca. Fresh Up is the lightest version of the treatment, with recipients noting the least peeling, while folks receiving a Classic Green Peel are far more likely to experience a more intense peeling process. Susca also notes that the recipient's skin health and the pressure with which the herbs are massaged can impact the level of shedding. During this time, recipients of Energy and Fresh Up Green peels have zero aftercare restrictions. "I do recommend not exfoliating the skin during the following week," says Susca, adding that moisturizer is the only necessary product during those initial days post-treatment. That said, folks who have received a Classic Green Peel have to be a bit more cautious: "The skin must not get wet in any way for five full days while the peel develops. You are given a kit with exactly what you can use on your face for those five days," says Susca. "On the fifth day, you are required to come back to the office for the follow-up treatment, where I check your skin and provide the second portion of the treatment. After that treatment is received, the client can go back to their normal routine." Despite my physical peeling being so minimal, my results were still major. About a week out from the treatment, my skin looked noticeably better overall. My pigmentation issues had lessened, and my complexion looked nothing short of rejuvenated. It felt like a full-on reset. My makeup went on and wore beautifully over such a brightened, perfected base, but I found myself just as pleased with going makeup-free, which genuinely shocked me. It seemed wrong to cover up skin that looked so fresh! While warnings of the fiberglass sensation almost deterred me from trying this facial initially, I'd argue the results are well worth the temporary discomfort. I've recommended this to my fellow brides-to-be time and time again over the last year, as well as other friends who either struggle with pigmentation and inflammation or are prepping for upcoming events. Even though my wedding skin prep has come to an end, I've vowed to stick to my regular Green Peel appointments, as the way my complexion looks one week post-treatment simply can't be replicated by my usual at-home routine. Bella Gerard is a freelance writer, editor, and content creator. Her areas of expertise include shopping, petite and midsize fashion, and personal style.