A skin peel is surely better than peeling skin. That's something that the skin conscious are quite sure about. For skin peels are now a hot favorite in non-surgical skin treatments. Skin peels are not only an assured and easy way to a youthful skin but are also a great cure and medication for acne and hyperpigmentation.

What makes skin peels so popular is that the treatment generally takes only about 30 minutes to an hour, per session. The best bit is that skin peels can also be used in the comfort of your home.

To start off, it's best you visit a dermatologist for advice on the kind of peels that would suit your skin type. The best chemical peels contain Tricholoracetic Acid (TCA), a safe and non-toxic chemical. TCA is a deep peel that acts as a safe medicine for acne, wrinkles, spotty skin, blackheads, sun burns, age spots, acne scarring, oily skin and dull complexion.

However, you can always talk to your doctor if you are taking prescribed medication. The doc will suggest whether to continue the medicines during the chemical peel treatment. Skin peels containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) are generally superficial. A Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) Peel is deeper.

"TCA Peel is widely recommended for darker skin medication.

It also ensures a quicker recovery period than a deep phenol peel," says Dr Dorothy Moss. What's more, while OTC medicines work well on minor skin problems, skin peels are a more effective and speedy medication for the removal of dead skin cells and acute acne.

Moreover, it's an easy treatment that involves application of the chemical peel to the affected areas (neck, upper arms, back and face, avoiding the eyes, brows and lips). Iced saline is used after the treatment, to soothe the skin. The skin is back to its natural glow after 15 to 45 minutes. To round off the treatment, an oil-based ointment is smeared to soften the skin. And the greatest news is that the TCA Peel is also an effective medication to keep pre-cancerous lesions away.

You could also make natural skin peels right at home. Natural skin peels ensure elasticity, open clogged pores, soften fine lines, wrinkles, reduce hyperpigmentation and boost collagen production.

"To make a natural peel, mildly heat a pack of unflavored gelatin, add the juice of a lemon and an orange until the gelatin is well blended. Let cool and then whip an egg yolk into the mix. Apply on the face and neck and let it dry. Rinse off properly with warm water," suggests skin specialist Rita Bogart.

And once you have made your choice of skin peels just sit back and bask in the afterglow.