TABLE 1.

Classification of peeling agents

DEPTH OF PENETRATION	HISTOLOGIC LEVEL	PEELING AGENTS
Very superficial	Destruction of the stratum corneum without creating a wound below the stratum granulosum	Glycolic acid, 30% to 50%, applied briefly (1 to 2 minutes) Jessner solution, applied in 1 to 3 coats TCA 10%, applied in 1 coat
Superficial	Destruction of part or all of the epidermis, anywhere from the stratum granulosum to the basal cell layer	Glycolic acid, 50% to 70%, applied for a variable time (2 to 20 minutes) Jessner solution, applied in 4 to 10 coats TCA, 10% to 30%
Medium depth	Destruction of the epidermis and part or all of the papillary dermis	Glycolic acid 70%, applied for a variable time (3 to 30 minutes) TCA, 35% to 50% Augmented TCA (CO2 plus TCA 35%; Jessner solution plus TCA 35%; glycolic acid 70% plus TCA 35%)
Deep	Destruction of the epidermis and papillary dermis, extending into the reticular dermis	Phenol 88% Baker-Gordon phenol formula