Dermatologic surgeons have been using peeling agents for several decades to correct flaws in the skin. The strength and depth of the chemical peel used depends on the condition being treated as well as the amount of improvement desired. As a rule, the deeper the peel, the longer the recovery period. Chemical peels can be used over the entire body to improve upon such things as sun damage, mild scarring and fine lines, and irregular pigmentation.    Before and After Chemical Peel The mild to moderate chemical peels are sometimes referred to as "lunch time" peels because they literally take just minutes to perform and generally the patient may return to their activities without any disruption. Glycolic or salicylic acid is typically the active agent with these peels. Glycolic acid peels, the most conservative peel, is designed to exfoliate the outermost layer of the skin. It is very safe and effective for the control of certain types of acne as well as the lightening of dark patches known as melasma. Because it is such a superficial peel, there is no recovery time associated with it. The skin may appear pink for a short time after treatment and may be slightly drier for a few days. Salicylic acid peels, although they are still superficial in nature, are slightly stronger and go slightly deeper into the skin. This peel is beneficial for the improvement of skin tones and texture. There is also no recovery time needed for this treatment. After these peels, the skin may also appear slightly pink and feel a little tighter. Mild peeling may be noticed in a few days following the peel. This is a greast peel for patients with oily or acne-prone skin. Trichloroacetic acid is used for medium depth chemical peels. This acid can go much deeper into the skin surface, touching on the dermis. Trichloroacetic acid or the Obagi Blue Peel is very useful for the treatment and correction of sun damage. It may be used to remove skin freckling and other pigmentation irregularities, as well as pre-cancerous changes in the skin. Some improvement with fine lines and scars is noted with these peels. Immediately after this peel the skin is pink to red in color and feels very tight. Because of the depth of this peel a recovery period is needed. Peeling of the skin begins in 2-3 days and may last for as long as 7-10 days. Chemical peels are not the answer to every skin imperfection. They will not improve loose or sagging skin, nor will they change deep furrows or scars significantly. What they will do is remove the damaged out layer of skin and allow healthy new skin to form in its place. They leave the skin looking smoother and more uniform in color.