If you are ready to refresh your skin, one of the first questions you will likely ask is whether a chemical peel or a laser treatment is the better fit. Then come the acronyms. CO2, erbium, IPL, BBL, fractional, ablative. It is a lot to sort through, and the names alone do not tell you which option will give you the results you want with a recovery you can realistically plan for.
At Utah Facial Plastics, we made a deliberate choice about the technology we offer. Instead of traditional CO2 lasers, our resurfacing treatments are built on erbium technology from Sciton. And instead of standard IPL photofacials, we use BBL HEROic, Sciton’s most advanced BroadBand Light platform. We also offer a full menu of professional chemical peels. Below, we explain how peels and lasers compare, what sets each technology apart, and share current pricing ranges so you can plan with confidence.
Our full menu lives on our laser treatments page, and this guide is here to help you see how everything fits together.
Real Results: Chemical Peel vs. Laser
Chemical Peel Series
A series of chemical peels with medical-grade skin care, followed by microneedling. View this case
Contour TRL Laser
Contour TRL laser resurfacing with Katy Larson, DNP, 2 months after treatment. View this case
Chemical Peels: A Gentle Place to Start
A chemical peel uses a professional exfoliating solution to lift away dull, sun-worn outer layers of skin, revealing a smoother, brighter complexion underneath. Peels are graded by depth, from very superficial to medium, and our skin care specialists customize each one to your skin type, your goals, and how much downtime you would like to plan for.
Peels are a wonderful way to enhance tone and glow, soften fine lines, brighten sun spots and uneven pigment, and calm acne and breakouts for clearer skin. Lighter peels can be repeated routinely for maintenance, while a series of three or more works well for longer-term goals like years of sun exposure or acne scarring.
Superficial Chemical Peel
$175
Our gentlest option, and dermaplaning is included. Choices like the Pumpkin Peel and Illuminize refresh the surface for an instant glow with essentially no downtime.
Light Chemical Peel
$215
A step stronger for brightening pigment, refining texture, and calming breakouts, with options including Salicylic 30%, the 5Berry Pigment Peel, and Vitalize. Dermaplaning can be added on.
Medium Chemical Peel
$250
Our most transformative peels, including the VI Precision Plus for pigment and the VI Advanced for texture and lines. Expect several days of visible peeling as fresh skin comes through. Body peels start at $250.
Progressive Peel Package
$576 for 3 peels
Designed for anyone new to peels. You receive one superficial, one light, and one medium peel, each customized by your provider, so your skin is conditioned for a little more each time.
Results from consistent chemical peel treatments over two years. View this case
Chemical Peel vs. Laser: How They Compare
Both peels and lasers renew the skin by removing worn outer layers so fresh, healthy skin can take their place. The real difference is control. A peel’s depth is set by the strength of the solution, while a laser lets your provider choose the exact depth and treat skin layer by layer. That precision is why laser resurfacing has largely replaced deep chemical peels as the more predictable option for deeper renewal.
| Chemical Peel | Laser Treatment | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | A professional solution exfoliates the outer layers | Light energy renews skin at a precisely chosen depth |
| Depth control | Set by peel strength | Adjustable layer by layer |
| Best for | Acne and breakouts, glow, tone, pigment, routine maintenance | Even skin tone and pigmentation, sun damage, texture, deeper lines, scarring |
| Acne and breakouts | Excellent, helps clear active breakouts and congested pores | BBL Forever Clear targets acne, and resurfacing lasers soften acne scarring |
| Even skin tone and pigmentation | Brightens sun spots and uneven pigment, especially over a series | Excellent, BBL clears sun spots and redness while erbium lasers even out tone |
| Downtime | None to several days of peeling | Little to none with BBL, up to 1 to 2 weeks with Contour TRL |
| Price per treatment | $175-$250 | $200-$4,100 |
| How often | Routinely, or in a series of 3 or more | Often one to a few sessions, plus maintenance |
Many patients start with peels to build a healthy routine, then add a laser when they are ready for more noticeable change. Others combine the two for the best of both. Keep reading to see how our lasers and BBL options compare.
Erbium vs. CO2: Why Precision Beats Raw Heat
Both erbium and CO2 lasers are ablative, which means they renew skin by removing a thin layer of tissue and prompting your body to rebuild with fresh cells and new collagen. The difference comes down to how each wavelength interacts with your skin.
Our erbium:YAG lasers operate at 2,940 nm, a wavelength that water in the skin absorbs almost instantly. Sciton’s erbium technology targets that water 10 to 15 times more precisely than an older CO2 laser, so energy is spent right where resurfacing happens and very little heat spreads into healthy tissue nearby. A CO2 laser runs at a much longer 10,600 nm wavelength that pushes heat deeper and wider.
| Erbium (our Sciton lasers) | Traditional CO2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wavelength | 2,940 nm | 10,600 nm |
| Heat in surrounding skin | Low and tightly controlled | Higher, spreads into nearby tissue |
| Depth control | Adjustable layer by layer | Less precise |
| Typical recovery | Shorter and more predictable | Often longer, with lingering redness |
| Pigment change risk | Lower, suitable for more skin tones | Higher, especially for medium to deeper tones |
Some providers still favor CO2 in very select cases. Modern tunable erbium systems have largely closed that gap by adding controlled depth and coagulation, which is why we invested in the full Sciton suite. For a closer look at the science, visit our Contour TRL page.
Contour TRL Results
8 months after Contour TRL with a facelift, lower eyelid lift and fat grafting. View this case
3.5 months after Contour TRL with a facelift, brow lift and fat grafting. View this case
Contour TRL around the mouth with full-face Halo, as part of a longer treatment plan. View this case
Our Erbium Laser Treatments, From Light to Deep
Every erbium treatment below is performed by one of our Nurse Practitioners or Facial Plastic Surgeons. Pricing reflects treatment of the face and neck, and your exact cost depends on depth and the areas you choose.
NanoLaserPeel
$500-$1,000
The gentlest way to experience erbium resurfacing. A NanoLaserPeel skims away the very top layer of dull, sun-worn skin to reveal a brighter, smoother surface. It is a lovely starting point if you want a visible refresh before an event or a change of season, with only a few days of pinkness and light flaking.
MicroLaserPeel
$700-$1,200
A step deeper than the NanoLaserPeel, the MicroLaserPeel reaches further into the outer skin to soften fine lines, refine texture, and even out tone. Patients often choose it when they want a more noticeable change than a light peel can deliver while still keeping recovery brief.
ProFractional Laser
$900-$2,750
ProFractional uses erbium energy in a fractional pattern, creating tiny controlled channels while leaving the skin between them intact. Those untouched bridges of skin help you heal faster while the channels stimulate collagen. It is a wonderful option for acne scarring, deeper texture, and lines that have settled in, and its depth is fully adjustable to fit your goals and your schedule.
Halo Laser Resurfacing
$700-$3,100
Halo is the world’s first hybrid fractional laser, pairing a non-ablative wavelength with erbium resurfacing in a single pass. It works deep in the skin and at the surface at the same time, enhancing tone, texture, pores, and sun-worn areas with days of recovery rather than weeks. Halo is often paired with BBL for even more complete results.
Halo Tribrid laser, 4 weeks after treatment. View this case
Contour TRL Laser Resurfacing
$1,750-$4,100
Contour TRL (Tunable Resurfacing Laser) is our most powerful erbium treatment and the modern alternative to a traditional CO2 laser. Because it is tunable, your provider can dial treatment from light to deep and renew skin layer by layer, making it well suited for deeper wrinkles, years of sun exposure, acne scarring, and overall skin quality. Plan on roughly 1 to 2 weeks of visible healing. Your skin keeps building collagen for up to a year, and results typically last 5 to 8 years.
Contour TRL is offered at our Draper office with Katy Larson, DNP, and our surgeons, and it is often combined with a facelift for a fully refreshed look.
Contour TRL combined with a facelift, lower eyelid lift and fat grafting, 6 weeks after. View this case
Not sure which laser fits your goals?
Our team will listen to what you would love to see in your skin and help you choose the right path.
BBL vs. IPL: Not All Light Therapy Is Created Equal
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and BBL (BroadBand Light) share the same basic idea. Pulses of filtered light are absorbed by pigment and by the hemoglobin in small blood vessels, which breaks up brown spots and fades redness while gently warming the skin to encourage collagen. Where they part ways is in how precisely and comfortably that light is delivered.
BBL HEROic is the newest generation of Sciton’s BroadBand Light platform. Here is how it compares to a typical IPL device:
| BBL HEROic | Standard IPL | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed and power | 4x the speed and 3x the peak power of earlier BBL | Slower pulses, less output |
| Coverage | Skin Positioning System tracks motion for even, uniform coverage | Manual stamping can leave gaps or striping |
| Comfort | CoolComfort sapphire cooling keeps skin chilled throughout | Cooling varies by device |
| Customization | Smart filters switch between pigment, redness, acne, and firming in one visit | Fewer filter options |
| Treatment areas | Face plus chest, arms, back, and legs in minutes | Better suited to smaller areas |
The result is a treatment that feels more comfortable, covers skin more consistently, and can address several goals in a single session. Most patients go right back to their day afterward.
Our BBL Treatments
BBL treatments are performed by our Master Estheticians and are available at our Draper, Layton, and Heber City Med Spas.
BBL HEROic
$200-$1,850
Our signature BroadBand Light treatment for brown spots, sun-kissed pigment, redness, broken capillaries, and an overall brighter complexion. Pricing varies with the size of the area, from a small spot treatment to full face, neck, and body. Downtime is minimal. Treated spots usually darken and flake away over about a week, revealing clearer, more even skin. Many patients see a noticeable difference in one to two sessions, then return periodically to keep their glow.
BBL HEROic, 1 month after treatment. View this case
BBL Forever Clear
$325
Forever Clear uses blue light to target acne-causing bacteria and yellow light to calm inflammation. It is a comfortable, no-downtime way to support clearer skin on the face and body.
BBL PhotoFinish
$350-$450
PhotoFinish adds BBL to the end of another treatment so you can enhance tone and clarity in the same visit. It is an easy upgrade when you want to brighten while you are already in for skin care.
BBL + Moxi Laser Resurfacing
$1,200-$1,400
One of our most requested pairings. BBL clears pigment and redness while Moxi, a gentle Sciton laser, refines texture and fine lines. Together they work on tone and texture at once for a complete refresh with little downtime.
BBL HEROic and Moxi stacked, 1 month after treatment. View this case
We do not treat melasma with BBL. If melasma is part of your skin, your provider will recommend an approach better suited to you. Review our pre and post care guidelines to prepare for any treatment.
Pricing at a Glance
| Treatment | Technology | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Superficial Chemical Peel | Chemical peel | $175 |
| Light Chemical Peel | Chemical peel | $215 |
| Medium Chemical Peel | Chemical peel | $250 |
| Progressive Peel Package | 3 chemical peels | $576 |
| BBL HEROic | BroadBand Light | $200-$1,850 |
| BBL Forever Clear | BroadBand Light | $325 |
| BBL PhotoFinish | BroadBand Light | $350-$450 |
| BBL + Moxi | BroadBand Light + laser | $1,200-$1,400 |
| NanoLaserPeel | Erbium | $500-$1,000 |
| MicroLaserPeel | Erbium | $700-$1,200 |
| ProFractional | Fractional erbium | $900-$2,750 |
| Halo | Hybrid fractional (includes erbium) | $700-$3,100 |
| Contour TRL | Tunable erbium | $1,750-$4,100 |
Laser and BBL pricing reflects the face and neck. Final pricing is confirmed during your consultation once your provider understands your goals and the areas you would like to treat. Flexible financing through Cherry is available, and our monthly Med Spa specials share current offers.
Which Treatment Is Right for You?
Think of these treatments as a spectrum. Chemical peels are a lovely way to calm breakouts, maintain glow, and brighten tone on a regular schedule. BBL is ideal for refreshing tone, clearing sun spots and redness, and keeping skin radiant with essentially no downtime. Light erbium peels brighten and smooth with a short recovery. ProFractional and Halo deliver more dramatic improvement in texture and fine lines. Contour TRL offers our most comprehensive renewal for those ready to plan for a week or two of healing.
Many of our favorite results come from combining treatments, such as BBL with Halo or BBL with Moxi, so every layer of the skin gets attention. The easiest way to find your ideal plan is a conversation with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose a chemical peel or a laser?
It depends on your goals and your schedule. Peels are a wonderful fit for acne, glow, tone, and routine maintenance with little downtime. Lasers offer more precise control and more noticeable change in skin tone and pigmentation, sun damage, texture, and deeper lines. Many patients enjoy both. Our team will help you choose during your consultation, and you can learn more on our chemical peel page and laser treatments page.
Is BBL a laser?
Not technically. BBL uses broad-spectrum light rather than a single laser wavelength, which lets it treat pigment, redness, and acne in one platform. It is often grouped with laser treatments because the results and care are similar.
Is erbium resurfacing safe for darker skin tones?
Because erbium produces far less residual heat than CO2, it carries a lower risk of pigment changes and is more forgiving across a broader range of skin tones. Your provider will review your skin type at your consultation. Learn more on our Contour TRL page.
How much downtime should I expect?
It depends on depth. BBL has little to none, light erbium peels involve a few days of pinkness and flaking, Halo and ProFractional typically mean several days of recovery, and Contour TRL calls for about 1 to 2 weeks.
Can I combine BBL with laser resurfacing?
Yes. Pairing BBL with Halo or Moxi is one of the most effective ways to enhance tone and texture at the same time.
Where are these treatments offered?
BBL is available at all three of our Med Spas in Draper, Layton, and Heber City. Contour TRL is performed at our Draper office. Our team is happy to point you to the location that offers your preferred treatment.
Ready to refresh your skin?
Book your visit with our laser team at Utah Facial Plastics. We would love to help you feel confident in your skin.
