Skin-boosting professional treatments like lasers, IPL, and BBL are more popular than ever. In fact, in-office treatments have become one of the biggest categories in our annual Good Housekeeping Beauty Awards by number of entries. Many treatments promise to smooth, lift, and even out our skin, but it can be difficult to parse what they are and what concerns they treat. That’s why we at the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab evaluate these treatments by interviewing dermatologists and sending testers (including ourselves) to try them out so we can understand the full experience.
Read on for a breakdown of what light based treatments are, which is suitable for your skin tone, and if they’ll address your concerns, whether they are wrinkles, rosacea, dark spots, or unwanted hair.
What light can do for your skin
We’ve all heard that we should protect our skin from damaging sunlight, but when the right forms of light are harnessed, they can actually do great things for our skin. The two main types of light-based treatments that dermatologists use are laser and IPL. They both work on the principle that different substances in our skin like water, melanin, and blood absorb different colors, or wavelengths, of light. By applying the right wavelength of light to skin, lasers and IPL can selectively target sites on the skin like dark spots, blood vessels, hair follicles, or the deeper layers of skin and treat them without damaging the surrounding skin. They can also stimulate collagen production by injuring skin in a controlled way.
What’s the difference between laser and IPL?
The difference between these two types of treatments comes down to what kind of light they emit. Much like the laser pointer you use to play with your cat, the lasers used on skin are focused beams of light. Board-certified dermatologist Rishi Chopra, M.D., M.S., F.A.A.D. explains, “Lasers emit a single, focused wavelength of light, allowing them to target specific concerns within the skin at controlled depths.” Rather than diffusing light in all directions like a lightbulb, they deliver light to the skin in a precise area. Most lasers for skin make use of wavelengths outside of the visible spectrum, meaning that they emit a kind of light we can’t see.
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. In contrast to lasers, IPL devices use flashes of light containing many wavelengths, including visible light. Dr. Chopra says, “I often describe it as similar to a camera flash—it spreads light across the skin rather than targeting one precise depth.” IPL devices have different filters that are placed over their flash bulb to only allow the useful wavelengths of light come through.
BBL, a trademarked line of skin treatments from the medical device company Sciton, is another light-based treatment in the IPL category. The latest evolution of the treatment, called BBL HEROic, was a winner in our 2026 Beauty Awards. BBL stands for Broad Band Light, and double board-certified plastic surgeon Jennifer Levine, M.D., says, “both IPL and BBL operate on the same fundamental principle of using broad-spectrum light energy.” Though, she adds, “in my view, calling BBL 'just another IPL' is like comparing a basic flip phone to the latest smartphone.” Dr. Levine says that BBL is the only form of IPL she uses in her office, citing advantages like its “dual-lamp technology” that gives her “precise control to tune those wavelengths to a patient's exact skin type, rather than a one-size-fits-all blast of light. It's remarkably fast, and the integrated cooling makes it a much more comfortable experience for my patients.”
Which treatment is best for improving wrinkles?
Dr. Levine says that those looking to treat more advanced signs of skin aging should consider a laser treatment. Comparing BBL and a laser treatment called HALO Tribrid that she also uses in her office, she says, “If your skin is sagging or you have fine lines and wrinkles, then you're going to do HALO Tribrid.” She adds that the laser also treats brown and red discolorations. One of our Good Housekeeping testers who tried the treatment said “my skin is softer now” and “I see an overall brightening.”
Dr. Chopra concurs: “Lasers address deeper structural concerns by stimulating collagen beneath the surface—improving not just discoloration, but tone and texture by stimulating collagen remodeling at controlled depths.” Dr. Chopra uses the laser treatment Fraxel FTX, another winner in our 2026 Beauty Awards. Fraxel FTX can treat skin with two wavelengths of light that Dr. Chopra says “deliver highly targeted energy both superficially and deeply. One wavelength treats more superficial concerns such as discoloration and sun damage, while the other penetrates deeper to support regeneration and repair—improving texture, fine lines, and surgical and acne scarring.”
Which treatment is best for evening out skin tone?
While lasers can treat redness and brown spots, if you’re looking for less recovery time and have a lighter skin tone, IPL can also be a good choice. “IPL primarily treats surface-level discoloration such as redness and brown spots,” Dr. Chopra says. “It is especially effective for rosacea and visible blood vessels.” Physician Azza Halim, M.D., adds that IPL is a “go-to for concerns like sun damage and uneven skin tone.” If you have discoloration caused by breakouts, Dr. Levine notes that the BBL HEROic device can treat acne as well.
What about hair removal?
Lasers’ and IPL’s ability to selectively target pigment in the skin also allows them to target the melanin in hair follicles, heating them up to prevent hair from regrowing. For that reason, they only work on dark hair, not blonde or white hair. Either technology can be used in a clinic or at home with hair reduction devices, but professional treatments are more powerful and can achieve more complete hair reduction. IPL hair removal is only suitable for lighter skin types, while laser hair removal can be used more flexibly on a broader range of skin tones.
Are these treatments suitable for my skin tone?
The doctors I spoke to stressed that it’s important to be aware that the safest light-based treatment for you will depend on your skin tone.
IPL’s ability to treat brown spots on lighter skin tones makes it less suitable for deeper skin tones. Dr. Halim says, “because IPL targets melanin broadly, it carries a higher risk in darker skin tones, where excess energy absorption can lead to burns or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.” Dr. Chopra agrees, adding, “IPL carries a higher risk of pigmentation changes in darker or recently tanned skin and is generally not recommended for many deeper skin tones.”
In contrast, many lasers used by dermatologists can treat a broader range of skin colors safely. “Lasers offer the ability to treat the full spectrum of skin tones when the appropriate device and settings are used” says Dr. Chopra.
Do these treatments hurt?
When it comes to lasers, the deep collagen-inducing effects do come with some pain during treatment. I’ve personally tried Fraxel FTX, and even after topical numbing, it’s one of the more painful cosmetic treatments I’ve tried. Even so, I believe the benefits for my skin were worth the pain. Our Beauty Lab Director who also tried Fraxel FTX described “heat, pinching, and burning” during her treatment, but she would also do it again.
Laser treatments entail some recovery time during which skin is red, swollen, and eventually peeling. “Because these treatments target more deeply, there can be more downtime,” Dr. Chopra says. “And since they are regenerative treatments, results develop gradually as collagen rebuilds rather than appearing immediately.” One of our testers who tried HALO Tribrid experienced about four days of sandpaper-like texture on her skin followed by peeling, and about seven days of redness. Our Beauty Lab Director who tried Fraxel FTX experienced three days of swelling and rough texture followed by redness and peeling that resolved 10 days after her treatment.
IPL treatments, in comparison, can be much less painful. I have also tried IPL, and it feels like a quick flash of heat on the skin, like the snap of a rubber band. Dr. Levine notes that BBL HEROic does not require topical numbing before treatment, and has nearly no recovery time. Our tester who tried BBL HEROic said it caused “no discomfort” and she was “totally back to normal in 24 hours.”
How much do these treatments cost?
IPL is in general the more affordable treatment, according to Dr. Halim, who says that treatments typically range from $300 to $600 per session. BBL HEROic is a step up in cost, with full face treatments costing from $600 to $800.
The average cost of laser skin resurfacing in general is $1,829, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. For Fraxel FTX, the average cost nationwide is between $900 and $1,500 per session.
The bottom line
If you’re looking to treat dark spots, redness, rosacea, or acne on light skin, an IPL treatment like BBL HEROic is a lower-cost option with minimal discomfort and downtime. For those with deeper skin tones, IPL and BBL may not be suitable. For treating uneven skin tone, wrinkles, skin laxity, and scarring on a range of skin tones, consider a laser treatment, but keep in mind that your skin will need more time to recover, and the cost will be higher.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. For the past three years, she has evaluated professional treatments for the Good Housekeeping Beauty Awards by interviewing dermatologists, surgeons, and estheticians about the latest aesthetic treatment technologies and by sending testers to try the treatments and share their feedback.
