Chemical peels are a method of resurfacing the skin using acid. Acids are applied to the skin which causes it to separate, peel off, and allows new skin to grow. This helps improve photodamage, pigmentation abnormalities, and scarring. It can also be used in the treatment of acne.

Peels are classified into three categories by their depth. Healing time and complications vary by the different categories of peel. Peels are often not single time treatments, but a series of them recommended over a period of time.

Superficial Peels

• Affect only the epidermis
• Classified as very light and light
• Very light peels are often referred to as "lunchtime peels", as you can have a peel on your lunch break and go back to the office
• Light peels often use the same chemicals, but in higher concentrations. Because the concentration of acid is higher, recovery time may also be longer, with redness, swelling and peeling occurring
• They tend to be very safe
• Use low concentration acids — AHA (alphahydroxy acid) is one of the most common families of acids used, as is glycolic acid
• Treat wrinkles, age spots and pigmentation abnormalities
• May require multiple treatments to see desired results

Medium Peels

• Affect only the epidermis
• Often use a combination of acids, such as a superficial peeling agent, with a deeper acting acid such as TCA (trichloro acetic acid)
• Treat wrinkles, age spots and pigmentation abnormalities
• May require multiple treatments to see desired results

Deep Peels

• Affect the epidermis and the dermis
• May dramatically improve irregular pigmentation and fine lines and wrinkles
• Greater change of discoloration after the peel
• Your doctor may prescribe you lotion to counteract this, or a light peel will be done as a follow up
• May require multiple treatments to see desired results

Potential side effects for resurfacing treatments
Resurfacing of the skin involves an alteration of the top layers of the skin and there are certain side effects that could occur following the procedure that you should be aware, for example, you may have burning, discomfort, itching, tingling, swelling, redness, scarring, sensitivity to the sun, abnormal skin color changes, and a flare-up of cold sores and fever blisters. With chemical peels and dermabrasion, you may also see temporary whiteheads and infection. With laser resurfacing, the laser heat may cause burns. In addition, there may be other risks associated with a particular type of resurfacing that you should discuss with your doctor to fully understand these risks.