If you’ve never had a chemical peel before, you may be wondering what this treatment even is. Simply speaking, chemical peels are exactly what their name suggests. They are facial treatments that use chemicals (commonly used ingredients include mandelic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or trichloroacetic acid) to peel layers of skin, revealing the healthy, new skin below. There are many different types of chemical peels. Depending on your specific needs and your esthetician’s recommendation, you may choose a chemical peel option that ranges from very light (just the surface of the skin) to improve uneven skin tone and other mild symptoms, or you may choose a chemical peel that goes deeper to address fine lines, wrinkles, scars (including acne scars), adult acne symptoms, and other concerns.