Laser vs. IPL vs. Peels: What’s Best for Your Skin Goals?

When it comes to skin treatments, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the options—especially when many seem to promise the same results.

Should you do a peel? Try IPL? Book a laser session?

At Sanctuary Skin in Virginia Beach, we hear these questions all the time, especially from clients who have tried multiple treatments with mixed results. That’s why we’re here to break down the differences between the three most common modalities: laser vs IPL vs chemical peel—and help you decide what might be right for your unique skin concerns.

Chemical Peels: Great for Surface Texture and Brightening

What they are:Chemical peels use acids to exfoliate and resurface the top layers of the skin. They range in strength and depth and can target concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, and texture.

Good for:

• Congestion and blackheads

• Uneven tone or dullness

• Post-inflammatory pigment (acne scars)

• Clients who want a “reset” to their skin

Considerations:Peels may cause visible flaking, dryness, or sensitivity for several days. Sun exposure must be avoided post-treatment. Not all peels are ideal for deeper skin tones, but we offer curated options (like BioRePeel and Perfect Derma Peel) that are both safe and effective.

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light): Great for Redness and Pigment—Sometimes

What it is:IPL uses broad-spectrum light to target red and brown spots in the skin. It’s often used for sun damage, broken capillaries, and freckles.

Good for:

• Clients with fair to light-medium skin tones

• Redness from sun damage or broken vessels

• Freckles and sunspots on the face, neck, or chest

Considerations:IPL is not safe for darker Fitzpatrick skin types and is generally limited to lighter skin tones due to its heat-based, pigment-seeking mechanism. Treatments can feel hot or uncomfortable and may require downtime. Results often require multiple sessions.

Aerolase Laser: Gentle, Versatile, and Safe for All Skin Types

What it is:Aerolase is a 1064nm Nd:YAG laser that delivers short pulses of energy deep into the skin—without harming the surface. It can treat acne, redness, pigment, signs of aging, and more—all with no downtime.

Good for:

• Active breakouts or cystic acne

• Melasma or hormonal pigment

• Facial redness and rosacea

• Loss of firmness, dullness, large pores

• All skin tones and all seasons

Considerations:Because Aerolase is non-ablative and non-invasive, there’s no peeling or visible irritation. For best results, a series of 3–6 is typically recommended. Unlike IPL or peels, it’s also safe to do in the summer and on tanned or melanin-rich skin.

Quick Comparison Chart

Aerolase Laser vs IPL vs Chemical Peel

Feature	Aerolase Laser	IPL	Chemical Peel
Safe for all skin tones	✅	❌	⚠️ Depends
No downtime	✅	❌	❌
Comfortable treatment	✅	❌	⚠️
Treats acne & inflammation	✅	❌	✅
Treats redness & vascular issues	✅	✅	❌
Treats pigmentation & melasma	✅	✅	✅
Stimulates collagen/rejuvenation	✅	⚠️	✅
Available all year, even summer	✅	❌	⚠️

What’s Right for You?

If you’re unsure where to begin, the best first step is a personalized consultation with one of our licensed estheticians. We’ll review your skin history, current products, goals, and tolerance levels before recommending the best approach.

In many cases, we combine treatments over time—some clients may start with a series of Aerolase, then move into maintenance with gentle peels or facials. Others may benefit most from laser alone.

What matters most is that the path we choose is tailored to you, your skin, and your long-term results.

Let’s Build a Plan That Works for Your Skin

If you’ve been trying to decide between laser vs IPL vs chemical peel, the truth is—you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Come talk with us at Sanctuary Skin and we’ll help you choose the option that fits your skin goals, comfort level, and lifestyle. You deserve more than a trend—you deserve results you can trust.

Let’s Get Started →