The origins of the chemical peel date into Roman times
at the least, with Cleopatra and other women of the elite
class of the era utilizing mild acids, derived from wine or milk,
to revitalize their skin. A variety of various peels of different
depths and strengths has led to a resurgence in this age-old
technique.

As the name implies chemical peels are simply chemicals, usually
acids, or combinations of acids that are applied in a controlled
manner to remove outer layers of skin. How deep the damage
extends depends upon the agent itself, the strength of the agent,
the application time, pretreatment regimens, and other factors. A variety of safe alternatives are available to treat many different problems, making them a solid and cost effective choice for
patients with diseases as dissimilar as acne, photodamage, and dyspigmentation.

Peels themselves are categorized as either superficial, medium
depth, or deep peels. Superficial peels confine their action to the outermost layers of the skin, the stratum corneum and the
epidermis.