If you go for a chemical peel, it can be rather expensive, and it also comes with requirements such as staying out of the sun for a certain period of time to protect sensitive skin.  They conduct this procedure by applying a chemical solution to the skin and allowing it to soak in.  They wait over the next day or so and depending on how deeply the chemical can penetrate the skin, it allows a layer of the skin to actually peel off.  These chemicals have in the past been referred to as exfoliating or wounding agents. 

The types of chemical peels differ, and there are differing results among other things.  But you should only go to a qualified practitioner to obtain them.  The number of coats differ, even the agents differ, and the time in between can differ between procedures and practitioners.  You are less likely to experience side effects and a bad after effect if you have a better practitioner for obvious reasons.

Superficial peels are the mildest types, and they find it can generally be used on all skin types.  They generally used a mild dilute of glycolic acid, which has been used in over the counter wrinkle and acne treatments.  They also use dry ice at times.

Medium peels tend to penetrate the skin at a deeper level, and they can cause second degree burns to the skin.  They use TCA as the main ingredient, and it can be done in several stems using TCA.

Deep peels are the most invasive of the peels.  They tend to penetrate several layers on the face, and they use a chemical called phenol.  This peel is definitely not for all skin types, and it is the most likely to be botched or cause long term side effects such as that permanently angry look many complain of.  They cannot be used on darker skin types for the simple reason that they tend to cause hypopigmentation of the skin.  Even in those with lighter skin types, these peels or deep resurfacing in general can bleach the skin and they should only be used in cases where all things have been carefully considered. 

Before the peel, your doctor should ask you what depth of peel and other factors that you would like and base it also on your individual skin type.  They may ask you what kinds of results you want, which can determine a lot of things, and they will start preparing your skin or rather asking you to prepare your skin with daily cleanses, sunscreen application, and in some cases the use of a common acne medication known as Retin-A.  It can speed healing among other things.

Before any chemical peel, you should consider all your other options and if you really need a chemical peel due to all the risks to your skin among other things and sometimes undesirable results.  You should consider your doctor and the type of peel you want, and you should honestly consider other options if possible.