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.