I Tried the Fiberglass Facial: Editor’s Trial

Despite working in beauty for many years and falling in love with extreme skin care, I’ve always been one to choose basic makeup over a fresh face. Years of hormonal acne left me with dark scars and pigmentation that my products couldn’t erase. Factor in seasonal melasma breakouts, and my skin has never met my standards for rocking a bare face in public. Aside from the occasional errand and exercise session, I rarely left the house without my foundation and my touch-up concealer kept in my purse.

It wasn’t until a trusted esthetician turned me on to the Green Peel – a treatment infamously known as the “fiberglass facial” – that I was able to get my skin looking good enough to go without makeup on a regular basis. Now, sometimes I even prefer it over a full face of makeup. This powerful, effective, and all-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 esthetician and owner of Refinery4 facial studio in Lower Manhattan.

What is the Green Peel, aka Fiberglass Facial?

“A Green Peel is a type of peel that uses herbs instead of acids, to remove the top layers of the skin – just like a chemical peel would – with the aim of targeting pigmentation and increasing collagen,” esthetician Samantha Susca tells PS. “The intended result of the facial is clearer, healthier skin, with less pigmentation and inflammation.”

It was first created by Dr. Christine Schrammek, Green Peel is available in three iterations: Classic, Power, and Fresh Up, each with a slightly different herbal concentration and method of use, as well as aftercare treatments.

Susca notes that Fresh Up peels can be done weekly for six consecutive weeks, while Energy peels are done every two weeks at the same time. Classics, which are the strongest, can be done once a month at most. Over the past year, I have received six Energy Green Peels every two months or so in preparation for my wedding day. We landed on the Power Pages after discussing my weekly plan, when Susca decided that Classic wouldn’t really fit my lifestyle (ie, the need to be out in public at work-related events days after treatment without my face spilling).

Before my first Energy Green Peel, Susca warned me about the bad nickname of the treatment and the meaning behind it. “It’s called a Fiberglass Facial because it actually feels like small pieces of glass or fiberglass on the face as the herbs are applied to the skin,” he explained, noting that the sensation can sometimes last 24 hours.

Surprised more than scared, I gave him the OK to continue.

What to Expect During a Green Peel Treatment

At first, I approached the peels as an alternative to microneedling, another treatment I enjoy but rarely get because of the downtime required. Susca notes that Green Peels can actually be done in addition to microneedling and work well to prepare the skin for future microneedling sessions; that said, it can be a good alternative for such people this is not the case good candidates for microneedling, as the treatment is completely herbal. Because of this, many people are good candidates for Green Peels, as they suit all skin types and tones. “It’s a great option for acne breakouts, as well as post-acne pigmentation and healing,” says Susca.

Immediately After Treatment

After a double cleanse and herbal toner (Susca and I both swear by Dr. Schrammek Herbal Care Lotion), Susca begins the treatment by mixing in Green Peel’s signature herbal blend, then rubs it into the skin in an outward, circular motion to follow the pathways of the lymphatic system.

Although the application process was not too painful for me, my skin felt very hot and uncomfortable. Fortunately, it’s temporary. As the herbs are rubbed into the skin, the face becomes increasingly red, which Susca notes is due to oxygenation of the skin, not irritation.

After the herbs are applied and massaged into the skin, they are cleansed, followed by masks and aftercare products, which vary according to the type of Green Peel you received. For my Power Face, a cream-based mask; welcome relief after remedies.

“At this time, I personally combine methods such as high frequency or microcurrent in the treatment,” shared Susca, which I experienced during my treatment. Not only were these extra steps beneficial to my skin, but they also gave me time to relax and enjoy the soothing properties of a traditional relaxing facial after applying such a powerful peel.

Results From The Green Page

I always leave this treatment looking red especially with small nuts, but I’m curious about the results. Immediately, I feel the “fiberglass” sensation that Susca warned me about, like little pins on the face. Although it’s really uncomfortable, it’s not painful. It’s actually weirdly cool, and only lasts about a day.

Post-treatment is where the real magic happens – although, as I’ve learned firsthand, not everyone experiences an amazing shedding. When I started researching Green Peel on Titok, I saw videos of people having layers of their skin peel off into pieces. It’s exciting! For me personally, it ended up being a throbbing light on my jaw for about three days (not enough to show in the pictures while I was trying to write this story). It’s a little sad, but in retrospect, it’s a lot easier to manage than having an overreaction.

“Everyone is different, and each level of treatment is different, but usually the skin will begin to peel on the third or fourth day with full results appearing after a week,” said Susca. Fresh Up is the mildest type of treatment, with recipients noticing less peeling, while people receiving the Classic Green Peel may experience a more severe peeling process. Susca also notes that the health of the recipient’s skin and the pressure of the herbs being massaged with can affect the rate of shedding.

At this time, energy recipients and Fresh Up Green peels have zero aftercare limitations. “I recommend not exfoliating for the next week,” says Susca, adding that moisturizer is the only product needed in those first days after treatment.

That said, people who have received the Classic Green Peel should be a little careful: “The skin must not be wet in any way for five full days while the peel develops. You are given a kit with it and what you can use on your face for those five days,” says Susca. “On the fifth day, you need to come back to the office for the next treatment, where I check your skin and give you the second part of the treatment. After that treatment, the patient can go back to their normal routine.”

Despite my physical peeling being so small, my results were still great. About a week after the treatment, my skin looked much better overall. My pigmentation issues had lessened, and my complexion looked rejuvenated. It feels like a complete reset. My makeup went on and wore well over a light, sheer foundation, but I found myself happily wearing no makeup, which really scared me. It didn’t seem right to cover skin that looked fresh!

While the fiberglass hearing warnings almost put me off trying this face at first, I would argue that the results are worth the temporary discomfort. I have recommended this to my fellow brides-to-be over and over again over the past year, as well as other friends who struggle with discoloration and inflammation or who are preparing for upcoming events.

Even though my wedding skin treatment has come to an end, I have vowed to stick to my regular Green Peel sessions, as the way my skin looks one week after the treatment will not be replicated by my regular home routine.

Bella Gerard is a freelance writer, editor, and content creator. Her areas of expertise include shopping, small and medium fashion, and personal style.