The Benefits of Chemical Peels During the Winter Months

As we end a summer full of outdoor activities and sun, now is the perfect time to review your skin needs and treatments that can repair summer sun damage.  Laser or light-based skin rejuvenation treatment can be a great option for winter repair.  However, there are a few laser options available.  At Hall & Wrye, we believe the “best” treatment is the one that aligns with your skin type, goals, downtime tolerance, and budget. Below is a breakdown of four popular options — LaseMD, BBL (BroadBand Light), MicroLaser Peel, and Pro Fractional Laser — along with guidance on when each might be the best choice.

Before diving into each treatment, it helps to understand some of the differences:

• Light-based / broadband devices (like BBL / IPL) use a broad spectrum of wavelengths. They can treat pigmentation, redness, sun damage, and more superficially, often with minimal downtime.
• Fractional delivery (whether ablative or non-ablative) means the device treats microscopic “columns” or spots in the skin and leaves intervening tissue intact. This accelerates healing and reduces downtime compared to fully ablative resurfacing.
• Ablative lasers remove the outermost tissue in treated zones (strong effect, more downtime), while non-ablative / gentle fractional lasers heat deeper layers without removing significant surface tissue (milder downtime).

With that in mind, here’s how LaseMD, BBL, MicroLaser Peel, and Pro Fractional compare.

LaseMD (Non-Ablative Fractional Resurfacing)

What it is & how it works
LaseMD  is a fractional, non-ablative laser that creates micro-channels in the skin to stimulate collagen, enhance skin turnover, and improve tone and texture — without removing the entire surface layer.

It’s often described as gentle yet effective, offering “resurfacing with minimal downtime.”

What it treats well

• Sunspots, age spots, hyperpigmentation
• Uneven tone and texture
• Mild to moderate fine lines
• Enlarged pores
• Residual acne scarring or superficial textural irregularities
• Melasma

Downtime & comfort

• Mild redness, perhaps light swelling, and some peeling for a few days to up to a week.
• Most patients can return to regular activities fairly quickly
• Typically no anesthesia needed (though numbing cream can help)

Pros & limitations

Pros:

• Gentle, safer choice for a wide range of skin types
• Good “bridge” between light treatments and heavier resurfacing
• Can be repeated relatively frequently
• Shorter downtime vs fully ablative lasers

Limitations:

• Less aggressive effect compared to ablative fractional lasers
• May require a series of sessions to reach desired results
• Not ideal for very deep wrinkles or severe skin laxity

When LaseMD is a great fit

If you want meaningful improvement in skin tone, texture, and pigmentation without long downtime, and you don’t have extremely deep wrinkles or skin redundancy to correct, LaseMD is often a great choice.

BBL (BroadBand Light) / Photofacial

What is BBL & how does it work
BBL (BroadBand Light) is an advanced form of IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) that allows more customization and power. It uses multiple filters and is designed to target pigmentation, redness, vascular lesions, and stimulate collagen.

What it treats well

• Sun damage, brown spots, freckles
• Redness, broken capillaries, rosacea
• Uneven pigmentation
• General “brightening” or glow effect
• Mild fine lines

Downtime & comfort

• Minimal downtime — usually mild redness for a few hours to a day
• Sometimes treated sunspots darken and slough off (“coffee ground” effect)
• Sessions are often quick

Pros & limitations

Pros:

• Very low downtime
• Excellent for broad skin “maintenance” — periodic brightening and spot treatment
• Safer for mild concerns and for patients who can’t tolerate downtime

Limitations:

• Not deeply penetrating — less effective for deep wrinkling, scars, or significant laxity
• Multiple sessions are usually required
• Effects can be more transient compared to deeper laser approaches
• May be less ideal on very dark skin if not properly calibrated (risk of pigment changes)

When BBL is a great fit

If your biggest concerns are pigmentation, redness, sun spots, or you want seasonal maintenance with minimal downtime, BBL (or a BBL-based photofacial) is often a go-to.  BBL is an important laser treatment for preventative care.

MicroLaser Peel —

What It Is:
The MicroLaser Peel provides deep resurfacing with a laser. It gently removes the outermost layers of skin to smooth texture and even tone. It’s sometimes called the “weekend peel” because it offers more noticeable results than microdermabrasion or chemical peels—but with just a few days of recovery.

Best For:

• Fine lines and superficial wrinkles
• Mild sun damage and pigmentation
• Rough, uneven texture
• Dull or tired-looking skin

Downtime:
Typically 3–5 days of redness and light peeling.

Why Choose It:
If you want more refinement than a LaseMD or BBL but aren’t ready for Pro Fractional downtime, the MicroLaser Peel is the right choice for you.

Pro Fractional Laser (Ablative or High-Power Fractional Resurfacing)

What “pro fractional” typically means

When people refer to a “pro fractional laser,” they often mean a fractional ablative laser  or a hybrid/double-pass fractional (some ablative, some non-ablative) that is more intense. These treatments remove or vaporize tiny columns of skin, stimulating deep collagen remodeling and more dramatic results

What it treats well

• Deep wrinkling
• Major textural irregularities or acne scarring
• Skin laxity
• More aggressive resurfacing and rejuvenation

Downtime & comfort

• More downtime: may have peeling, crusting, red/raw skin for days to a week or more
• Requires more aftercare (dressings, creams, sun protection)
• Some discomfort during and after, sometimes requiring pain control

Pros & limitations

Pros:

• Stronger, often more dramatic results
• Can address deeper issues in fewer sessions
• Can deliver long-lasting rejuvenation

Limitations:

• More downtime
• Higher cost
• Not everyone tolerates it, and not all skin types are eligible
• Requires careful pre- and post-care

When pro fractional is a great fit

If your skin concerns extend beyond surface pigmentation — e.g. deep lines, textural scarring, skin laxity — and you’re willing to commit to recovery time, a pro fractional resurfacing is often the most powerful option.

Which One Should You Choose (or Combine)?

Here’s a simplified decision framework:

Your Goal / Skin Constraint	Best Choice(s)	Downtime	Why / Notes
Minimal downtime, general brightening	BBL	<1 day	Very gentle, quick, great for pigmentation and glow
Moderate improvement in tone + texture, moderate downtime	LaseMD	1–3 days	A balanced middle path — effective yet tolerable recovery
Mild texture and tone issues	MicroLaser Peel	3–5 days	Smooth, refreshed complexion
Deep resurfacing, major texture correction	Pro fractional	5–7 days	Offers the most dramatic change if you can manage recovery
Multiple concerns (spots + texture + fine lines)	Combination		Many practices “stack” or sequence treatments (e.g. BBL first, then fractional)

One common strategy: use BBL in off-seasons or as maintenance, reserve LaseMD for periodic deeper refreshers, and only deploy pro fractional when you want a “reset” or are targeting deeper issues.

Final Thoughts

• There is no “one-size-fits-all best” — the right laser depends on your skin, concerns, and tolerance for recovery.
• If you’re newer to aesthetic treatments, starting with BBL or LaseMD is often safer and more comfortable.
• If you’ve already maximized what light and gentle resurfacing can offer, and want to push forward, pro fractional may be your next level.
• Be sure your provider has strong experience with each modality and can tailor settings to your skin type.
• Start with a consultation with our professional estheticians to determine the best treatment plan, after care, and supporting skin care for best results.