Most commonly used to treat those with sun-damaged or unevenly pigmented skin, chemical peels have become one of the most popular non-invasive cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. Chemical peels are one form of anti-aging treatment. Other anti-aging procedures that may accomplish similar purposes include dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, and laser skin resurfacing. Although chemical peels are not able to prevent or slow down the aging process they are certainly able to improve facial blemishes, acne, wrinkles and uneven skin pigmentation.

There are three different types of chemical peels, AHA (alpha hydroxyl acid), TCA and Phenol. AHA peels are the lightest of the three. They are most commonly used on those who are not able to take a long recovery period. The AHA peel treats areas of dryness, fine wrinkling, unevenly pigmented skin as well as acne.

The TCA peel is used for a medium-depth peeling. It also treats surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes and unevenly pigmented skin. This procedure is less dramatic than that of the phenol peel and is not as long lasting. A series of peels may be necessary with the TCA peel, yet the recovery time is quicker than the phenol peel.

The phenol peel is the strongest of the three and produces a very deep peel. It is commonly used on people with coarse face wrinkles, blotchiness, sun damaged skin, or precancerous growths. This procedure is primarily used on the face due to the risk of scarring if used anywhere else. Because the phenol peel can lighten the treated areas, your skin pigmentation may be a factor when deciding whether or not this procedure is appropriate.