A chemical peel involves the application of active acid chemical solutions to the skin in a controlled manner, producing controlled tissue death.This allows new layers to be exposed, creating a fresh appearance and smoother texture to the skin surface. A chemical peel can improve sun damage, acne scarring, blotchy pigmentation, fine wrinkling and early pre-cancerous skin lesions. A peel can also improve acne-prone skin and clogged pores. Chemical peels are broadly defined by the depth of damage in the skin that they produce.

Chemical peels have 3 types of resurfacing: superficial, medium, and deep.

Superficial peels are the mildest type of chemical peel and can be used on all skin types. Superficial peels usually use liquid containing a mild (dilute) acid, most often Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid, and more gentle ones are based with simple fruit enzymes. Can be applied to the face, neck, and body. Dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) is sometimes used.

Medium peels penetrate the skin more deeply than superficial peels and cause a second-degree burn of the skin. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is the main peeling agent used for medium peels, though the peel may also be done in several steps using a different chemical solution followed by TCA.

Deep peels penetrate several layers of skin and cause a second-degree burn of the skin. They are used only on the face. Deep peels may not be used on darker skin types, because they tend to bleach the skin, causing hypopigmentation. Even in lighter-skinned people, deep resurfacing may bleach the skin. A deep peel can be done only once in most cases.