I Tried a Fiberglass Facial: Editor Experiment

Even though I've been working in the beauty industry for many years and am into over-the-top skincare, I've always preferred to wear base makeup on top of a fresh face. Years hormonal acne left me with subtle scarring and pigmentation that my topical products were never able to completely erase. Seasonality factor melasma flare-ups, and my skin just never lived up to my standards for showing off my bare face in public. Aside from the occasional errand and gym session, I rarely left the house without some foundation and touch-up concealer tucked away in my purse.

It wasn't until a trusted esthetician recommended the Green Peel—a procedure infamously known as the “fiberglass facial”—that I was able to get my skin looking good enough to go makeup-free on a regular basis. Now I sometimes even prefer it to full face makeup. This intense, effective and all-natural herbal peel designed to kill bacteria and reduce breakouts has completely changed the way I treat my skin. Keep scrolling to see all the details.

Experts featured in this article

Samantha Suska is a licensed esthetician and owner of Refinery4 Facial Studio in Lower Manhattan.

What is a green peel known as a fiberglass facial?

““A 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—to combat pigmentation and stimulate collagen growth,” esthetician Samantha Suska tells PS. “The intended outcome of a facial is clearer skin, healthier overall, with less pigment and breakouts.”

Green Peel, originally developed by Dr. Christina Schrammeck, is available in three variants: Classic, Energy and Fresh Up, each with slightly different herb concentrations and application method, as well as aftercare treatments.

Suska notes that the Fresh Up peel can be done weekly for six weeks straight, and the Energy peel can be done every two weeks for the same period. The classics, which are the most intense, can be done maximum once a month. Over the past year, I have been receiving six Energy Green Peels approximately every two months in preparation for my wedding day. We settled on an energy peel after discussing my weekly schedule, and Suska decided that Classic wasn't a good fit for my lifestyle (i.e., having to be out in public at work-related events a few days after the procedure to keep my face from breaking out).

Before my first Energy Green Peel, Suska warned me about the notorious name of this method and its explanation. “This method is 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 rubbed into the skin,” she explained, noting that the sensation can sometimes last up to 24 hours.

More intrigued than scared, I gave her the go-ahead to continue.

What to Expect During a Green Peel Treatment

I initially considered peeling as an alternative to microneedling, another procedure I enjoy but rarely get due to the recovery involved. Suska notes that green peels can actually be used in addition to microneedling and can even prepare your skin well for future microneedling sessions; however, it can be a great alternative for people who No good candidates for microneedling since the treatment is entirely herbal. For this reason, green peels are suitable for most people as they suit all skin types and tones. “This is a fantastic option for treating inflamed acne, as well as pigmentation and acne healing,” says Suska.

Immediately after treatment

After a thorough double cleanse and herbal toner (Suska and I swear Herbal care lotion Dr. Schrammek), Suska begins her treatment by preparing Green Peel's signature herbal blend, which she then rubs into the skin in outward circular motions, following the pathways of the lymphatic system.

While the application process wasn't particularly painful for me, my skin immediately felt very hot and a little uncomfortable. Fortunately, this is temporary. As the herbs are rubbed into the skin, the face becomes increasingly red, which Suska notes is due to the skin being oxygenated rather than due to irritation.

Once the herbs are applied and rubbed into the skin, they are rinsed off followed by a mask and care products, which vary depending on the type of green peel you receive. For my energy peel, it's a cream-based mask; long-awaited relief after herbs.

“During this time, I personally incorporate techniques such as high-frequency or microcurrent into the treatment,” shares Suska, whom I also encountered during treatment. These extra steps not only benefited my skin, but also gave me time to relax and enjoy the more soothing elements of a traditional luxury facial after such an intense exfoliation.

Green peeling results

I always look especially red and a little nutty after this procedure, but I'm looking forward to the results. I immediately feel the “fiberglass” sensation that Suska warned me about, like little pinpricks on my face. While it's not necessarily comfortable, it doesn't hurt. It's actually weirdly cool and only lasts about a day.

After treatment, the real magic happens, although as I learned first hand, not everyone experiences extreme hair loss. When I first explored Green Peel on Titok, I saw video people whose layers of skin peel off in chunks. Breathtaking! For me personally, after about three days, it's just a little flaking around my jawline (not even enough to show up in photos when I tried to document it for this story). A little discouraging, but looking back it's much easier to deal with than if I had had an extreme reaction.

“Everyone is different, and each level of treatment is different, but typically the skin will begin to peel on the third or fourth day, with full results achieved in about a week,” says Suska. Fresh Up is the mildest version of the treatment, with recipients reporting the least amount of flaking, while people receiving the Classic Green Peel are much more likely to experience more intense flaking. Suska also notes that the health of the recipient's skin and the pressure with which the herbs are massaged can affect the level of shedding.

During this time, owners of Energy and Fresh Up Green peels have no restrictions on aftercare. “I don't recommend exfoliating your skin for the next week,” says Suska, adding that moisturizer is the only product needed in the first few days after your treatment.

However, people who have received the classic green peel should be a little more careful: “The skin should never get wet for five full days while the peeling develops. You are given a kit that contains exactly what you can use on your face for those five days,” says Suska. “On the fifth day, you should return to the office for a follow-up treatment, where I will check your skin and prescribe a second dose of treatment. Once treatment is received, the client can return to their normal daily routine.”

Even though my physical exfoliation was minimal, my results were still significant. About a week after treatment, my skin overall looked noticeably better. My pigmentation issues were reduced and my complexion simply looked younger. It felt like a complete reset. My makeup stayed on and stayed on beautifully on such a vibrant, perfect foundation, but I was also happy about going makeup-free, which honestly shocked me. It didn't seem right to cover up skin that looked so fresh!

Although the warnings about the fiberglass feel almost deterred me from initially trying this facial, I would say the results are worth the temporary discomfort. Over the past year, I have recommended this time and time again to my brides-to-be friends, as well as other friends who are either struggling with pigmentation and breakouts or are preparing for upcoming events.

Even though my skin prep for the wedding has come to an end, I have vowed to stick to my regular Green Peel appointments as the way my complexion looks a week after the treatment simply cannot be replicated with my regular at-home routine.

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