Chemical peels are acidic solutions that are applied to your face by a licensed physician, usually a dermatologist. Administered correctly, a chemical peel (or series of them) will smooth the surface of your skin, improve your skin tone and color, diminish wrinkles and shrink blood vessels and pore size. The effect is as strong as some laser treatments. Several types of peels are available. The light peel is made of a glycolic acid solution in concentrations much stronger than those available in over-the-counter products containing alpha hydroxy acids. The medium peel goes deeper within the skin using a solution of trichloroacetic acid or TCA. (The Obagi Blue Peel has dramatically improved the administration of this peel.) The mightiest of peels uses phenol acid. This type of peel may only be administered in a hospital setting, due to the potential of dangerous side effects.

A light peel of glycolic solution will leave your face red, but it probably will not actually peel. A TCA peel causes your facial skin to turn white shortly after the peel is administered. By the next day your skin will turn red and then start to peel off. Your skin will scab over and then reveal healthier, new skin. The recovery time usually takes about two weeks. Discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter analgesics or prescription pain medications. A phenol acid peel goes deeper into the skin and, therefore, requires more time to heal. This type of peel is rarely used any longer.