Peeling is an accelerated and controlled form of induced exfoliation by the use of one or more chemical substance. These substances can cause, depending on the agent used and on its concentration and application time, an intense thinning of the epidermis to achieve, gradually, a less damaged skin, an improved texture and considerable attenuation is possible for hyper pigmentation and scars .

Not always, however, this dermatological action is free of problems, caused by excessive reactivity of the skin or due to strong chemical acids. Modern trends do favor the use of multiple agents simultaneously, each at lower concentrations than usual, combined to create a positive synergy which results will be comparable or even higher, as an effect, to what would have been obtained with the single agent, but at concentrations much higher and much dangerous.