Which treatment is better: Combo IPL and Chemical Peel treatments vs. combo IPL and Microdermabrasion treatments?

IPL is a great device for improving these issues, but a combination approach will give the most improvement.  Fraxel laser is the gold standard for improving sun damage and hyperpigmentation. I recommend a combination treatment of Fraxel lasers, IPL, microneedling/prp, and Cosmelan. It will take a series of treatments. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer

In our practice it would depend on the type of pigmentation we are treating. IPL is great for sundamage/freckles and broken blood vessels/redness. However it is not recommended for Melasma or PIH (Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation). Chemical Peels are the gold standard for those peticular pigmentation types. Microneedling is also a great treatment option for pigmentation and acne scarring. I personally do not do PRP with microneedling I use Growth Factors by Biopelle because it always works where PRP only works about 50% of the time. 

In my experience if a patient has sun damaged skin, uneven color and acne scars, I like to perform a chemical peel first (the type that a physician does). Usually in 7-10 days the skin will look much improved, this will be followed by a series of IPL treatments.
 

It is a little difficult to answer your question without knowing exactly what chemical peels they will be doing and without knowing what your biggest concerns are.  If your biggest concerns are the hyperpigmentation (age spots, freckles and pigmentation), then a series of IPL with peels such as glycolic or light TCA would get you the best results.  Microdermabrasion is not going to do much for pigment issues.  However, if the acne scars are your biggest concern, then you should consider treatments such as microneedling or CO2 laser, both of which will improve both hyperpigmentation and acne scars.  Microdermabrasion is an excellent way to exfoliate the skin, which will improve texture and, to some degree, pore size and fine lines.Best of luck to you.