Laser Skin Resurfacing vs. IPL Photofacials - Ava Laser Clinic (2024)

FAQs

What is better, IPL or laser resurfacing? ›

Lasers require fewer and less frequent follow-up treatments than IPL. Lasers are able to treat more specific skin concerns than IPL. Lasers are able to treat deeper layers of skin to promote collagen production, making them more effective at skin resurfacing.

The Differences in These Treatments

Photo facial procedures depend on the light the same way laser skin resurfacing does, but they are not lasers. IPL Photo facials use a pulsed spectrum of lights as opposed to the concentrated light beam that is seen in laser skin resurfacing.

One of the best lasers for skin resurfacing, Fraxel Repair effectively treats deep lines and wrinkles, sunspots and age spots, uneven skin tone and texture, hyperpigmentation, scarring, and melasma. The laser is also renowned for producing long-lasting results.

IPL produces a broad bandwith of light wavelengths, whereas laser produces a single band of light. Laser is more specific to a given target than IPL, and therefore is more effective than IPL and has fewer side effects and complications. Different lasers can be used for different skin types in laser hair removal.

Laser resurfacing can cause side effects, though they're milder and less likely with nonablative approaches than with ablative methods. Inflamed, swollen, itchy and painful skin. Treated skin may swell, itch or have a burning sensation. Your skin may look inflamed for several months following ablative laser treatment.

Although side effects of IPL are typically rare and minimal in severity, the most common adverse events include pain and erythema. Other reported side effects include edema, bullae, hematoma, crusting, hyper- or hypopigmentation, leukotrichia, scarring, keloid formation, and infection.

Ablative laser treatments generally offer longer-lasting results. However, this also depends on individual factors such as skin type and lifestyle habits.

CO2 laser resurfacing has been successfully used to treat wrinkles and scars as well as other benign skin growths such as warts, birthmarks, rhinophyma (enlarged oil glands on the nose), and other skin conditions. Recovery time with CO2 laser resurfacing is up to two weeks.

Intensive laser resurfacing—i.e. anything that requires more than a week to recover—is best suited for those in their 40s and 50s, while gentler treatments like Clear + Brilliant are best for those in their 20s or 30s.

Fraxel. Fractional skin resurfacing lasers such as Fraxel can be used to smooth skin irregularities in your sixties, eliminate discoloration, and even skin tone. These lasers can also help to smooth fine lines and shallow wrinkles for mature skin.

What is the best laser to rejuvenate skin? ›

The best in class for wrinkle removal, treatment of crow's feet, sun damage removal and overall skin rejuvenation is the Fraxel Re:pair laser. Yes, there is some downtime with Fraxel, but after a couple days looking like you have a sunburn, your skin will look 10 years younger, tighter and completely refreshed.

Radiofrequency (RF) treatments

Brand name treatments include Profound® RF, Exilis®, Morpheus8®, Renuvion, and Thermage®. Like ultrasound treatments, RF treatments are effective for smoothing and tightening skin in older patients as well as postponing the need for a surgical lift in younger patients.

Though IPL is often confused with laser treatment, it does not, in fact, utilize a laser, but instead broad spectrum visible light. Laser treatments can be either ablative or non-ablative; because IPL focuses on the second and underlying layers of skin, leaving the first intact, it is non-ablative.

BBL treatments not only diminish signs of aging, but they improve the health of the skin and can even be used to control chronic conditions like acne and rosacea. Unlike IPL treatments, BBL is proven to slow, and even stop, the gene expression associated with aging.

Laser treatments are often more expensive than IPL, though IPL may require more treatments in some cases. Overall, though, a course of IPL treatments is often less costly than laser.

Laser treatment is more intense and recovery is longer. It can achieve more noticeable results from fewer procedures. However, unlike lasers, an IPL device sends out more than one wavelength of pulsating light. IPL can treat a range of skin conditions at the same time.

Ultimately, for many people, hair removal using via laser treatment will mean faster, more longer-lasting results.

Laser skin resurfacing is best for patients who want to minimize wrinkling, improve the skin's tone and texture, and treat discoloration. The following types of sun damage are best treated with IPL: Pigmentation changes such as age spots, liver spots (solar lentigines), and freckles.