The large selection of anti-aging treatments available today can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to advanced skin therapies. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a familiar term for many, but how does it compare to popular laser therapies such as Fraxel® treatments? What is the difference between the two skin rejuvenation treatments, and how do you choose one over the other?
The biggest difference: IPL is light-based while Fraxel technology is laser-energy based. IPL utilizes short bursts of high-energy light to penetrate the skin. It addresses a range of issues such as unwanted hair, blood vessels and brown spots. In addition, it can help to rejuvenate the skin.
Fraxel, on the other hand, provides more power and precision for skin enhancing treatments. It utilizes “fractionated” technology, which targets selective portions of damaged skin leaving the surrounding skin intact. Fraxel treatment is designed to primarily address wrinkles and achieve skin tightening, but it has the ability to address other imperfections in the skin, such as precancerous lesions, sunspots and other pigment irregularities.
The Fraxel laser can be customized to suit your needs with several different available wavelengths or modalities. It can offer more intense treatments that have the ability to achieve more dramatic results, but may also be accompanied by slightly more downtime. As a general rule of thumb, more aged and sun damaged skin achieves better results with Fraxel treatment than IPL.
Benefits of IPL
- Best for treating sun damaged skin, eliminating dark spots and reducing redness
- Some improvement of fine lines
- Shorter procedure (averages 30 minutes)
- Can be used on the face and body including hands and arms
- Better results seen with a series of two to three treatments, spaced three to six weeks apart
- Long-lasting results seen with one or two maintenance treatments per year
- There is minimal-to-no downtime
- No anesthetic is required
It should be noted that Pacific Dermaesthetics offers an advanced version of IPL called the e-Light photorejuvenation system, which combines pulsed light with radio frequency. The additional therapy provides deeper treatment and assists in the regeneration of all three layers of skin, including collagen.
Benefits of Fraxel
- Improves a range of issues such as brown spots, fine lines, enlarged pores and acne scars
- Improves skin tone & texture
- Provides progressive results over time by stimulating the formation of collagen to improve the skin’s appearance
- Several different treatment options to suit one’s needs, skin condition and lifestyle
- FDA- and Health Canada-approved treatment for precancerous lesions
- Better results seen with multiple treatments, depending on the skin’s condition
- Long-lasting results, but maintenance treatment helpful after two or three years
- Downtime varies based on the level of treatment, ranging from a few days to one week of redness and/or swelling as well as dry, flaking skin as the skin renews itself
- Topical anesthetic and sometimes oral analgesics are used
If you’re not sure which treatment is best for you, don’t worry—our dermatologists are here to help determine your skin’s needs and the best solution to suit your skin and lifestyle. Contact us for an appointment.