The process is exactly as its name implies. A chemical solution is applied to the skin, and the solution peels away the damaged layers. New skin is regenerated through the body's natural healing process. Chemical peels do not stop the aging process. Chemical peels are one of the most common procedures for rejuvenating skin.

Different levels of peels can be done, depending on how much "photodamage" you have, your skin type and what you would like to have done. Photodamage describes what happens to your skin through repeated sun exposure, rather than through the passage of time.

Light Peels

The most popular is a light peel, which removes the top layer of cells, meaning you will see your skin heal quickly. This peel smoothes out fine wrinkles, evens out skin pigmentation and reduces superficial acne scars.

Mild solutions that are used include alpha hydroxy acids,(such as glycolic acid) and beta-hydroxy acids (salicylic acid). Often called the "lunchtime peel," this procedure can literally be done during your lunch hour because you have no after-affects such as pain. A mild pinkness is expected. Also, recovery is quick, with a 48- to 72-hour period for your skin to heal.

No sedation or anesthesia is required, and you only have a slight stinging during the treatment, which usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. However, the treatments usually need to be repeated throughout several weeks or months for full results.

Medium Peels

These peels penetrate the middle layer of skin. Trichloroacetic acids (TCA) peels are used to treat wrinkles, uneven skin tone or pigment, and moderate sun damage. Done as an outpatient procedure, this peel usually takes 15 minutes. No sedation or anesthesia is needed. During the treatment, you might feel warmth or burning followed by a stinging sensation.

Expect a longer recovery period of five to seven days. Sometimes two or more treatments with an interval of one or two months are needed to get the full results.

Deep Peels

A peel using the chemical phenol is the deepest. If used for the entire face, this type of peel takes about one to two hours and produces dramatic results. However, if you are using it for a small area of your face such as the upper lip, the process may take about 10 to 15 minutes. A phenol peel can treat course wrinkles and blotchiness and remove pre-cancerous growths.

Unlike the other types of peels, this peel causes some pain after the procedure and your doctor will give you a mild pain medication. You may wear a waterproof bandage on the treated areas for a day or two. Your doctor may suggest you take a week off from work to recover.

Deep peels should be used cautiously because they can cause permanent lightening of the skin and are not recommended for people with dark skin tones. Deep peels are usually only done once and usually cost more.