Superficial peels target the outer dead cell layers—the stratum corneum, or epidermis—using glycolic acid, salicylic acid or light TCA. Usually performed by aestheticians, these peels result in a freshened look to the skin with very rapid healing within a few days.
Medium-depth chemical peels—such as Jessner's solution + 35% TCA—penetrate to the upper to mid dermis and are performed by the surgeon. Medium-depth chemical peels provide a more dramatic improvement in skin tone, texture, color and wrinkles, and require five to seven days of healing.
Finally, deep chemical peels—including phenol-based techniques—include the so-called Baker-Gordon and Hetter peels. These peels penetrate to the reticular, or deep, dermis and provide the most dramatic skin tightening, but require a longer healing time of seven to 10 days.
