Overall, there are 3 types of peels: superficial, medium and deep. They all have varying percentages of active ingredients and different pH levels. The depth and strength of a peel depends on the percentage of the pH level solution. The lower the pH, the deeper the peel.
In a Superficial peel the solution is applied to the skin and left on for a few minutes to remove skin cells from the top layer of your skin, the epidermis. After that, your skin may feel tight for a couple of hours.
In a Medium peel the solution is applied and left on for a few minutes so skin cells can be removed from the top and middle layers of skin. Following the procedure, you may feel a burning or stinging sensation on your face and your skin may go brown or red for a few days. After a medium peel it can take up to 4 weeks for your skin to heal completely.
Deep peels affect the deeper layers of skin and usually require anesthetic creams to numb any pain. During the procedure the solution is applied to the face and left on for 30 minutes or more. Along with peeling you’ll likely have some redness and discomfort for a few days. The swelling of a deep peel can last up to 2 weeks, and redness can last up to 3 months.