Until recently, the only reason you'd be bathing your skin in acid was if you were unlucky enough to get on the wrong side of the Mafia.

But times have changed. We're living in a world where women are so desperate to squeeze their trotters into a pair of Manolo Blahniks that they think nothing of having their feet shaved or having implants stuffed into their rears for a backside like J-Lo.

So in comparison, the light sugar-cane peel I'm about to try is small fry.

Peels are one of the most popular treatments in the non-invasive surgery boom but surprisingly, their history goes back to ancient Egypt.

According to historians, 3,500 years ago the Pharaohs were smearing animal oils, salt, alabaster and fermented grape skins over their face in the name of beauty.

They may not have know it but they were benefiting from the effects of a family of chemicals called hydroxy acids, which remove the outer layers of the skin.

Facials evolved through the centuries to mustard, sulphur, and limestone facepacks.

On the more extreme front, Turkish women took to singeing their skin with fire in the name of exfoliation.

The sugar-cane peel beloved by celebs like Cameron Diaz will be a lot less painful, I am reliably informed by nurses at the Harley Medical Group in Hove.

After an initial consultation with a practice nurse, I am told my natural, friendly-sounding sugar-cane peel is otherwise known as a glycolic peel.

This sounds scary and for a second I see worn-out women on Channel 4's Ten Years Younger nursing bandaged and weeping scabby faces.

But I am wrong to worry.

The glycolic treatment otherwise known as the lunchtime peel because some women nip out to have one during their break is the gentlest of all chemical exfoliations.

A course of eight should leave you with fresher, brighter and, importantly, younger-looking skin.

In preparation for the treatment, I am sent home with a cream and face wash, which mimic the effects of the peel, that I am to apply each night.

Two weeks later and I'm lying in the treatment room letting a nurse paint acid on my face. It is warm and stingy, maybe even mildly irritating, but by no means painful.

For the next few days I am slightly scabby, but nothing which can't be covered up with a bit of slap.

Four days later and, yes, my skin is smooth and peachy for the third time in its life the second time was after an oxygen facial and the first time was probably when I was born, but I can't prove this.

After one treatment a course of six is recommended I would be lying if I said I noticed any difference in my frown lines but there is a definite improvement.

The sugar-cane peel costs £100 per session. Call The Harley Medical Group on 0800 085 9085.