Fractional Laser Resurfacing or IPL: Which Should I choose?

Your skin faces daily exposure to factors that can lead to dark spots or discoloration, fine lines and other issues that can age your appearance. It is worthwhile for both men and women to seek out treatments that can help reverse the hands of time. When you do, Intense Pulsed Light Therapy™ (IPL™) and fractional laser resurfacing treatment options are likely to arise as two of the most common treatment options.

While these two treatments might seem similar at first glance, there are key differences between the two procedures.

What is Er: Yag Fractional Laser

Fractional Er: Yag Laser technology is a laser-energy-based treatment that utilizes “fractionated” technology, targeting selective portions of damaged skin without damaging the entire skin surface. The areas of intact skin allow for more rapid healing and decrease the overall risks of the procedure, including infection, scarring, and pigmentation. This property makes ablative fractional treatments safer while still achieving significant improvement in the skin. 

This ablative treatment primarily addresses textural concerns such as wrinkles, pores and scars, but it can reduce other imperfections in the skin, such as sunspots and other pigment irregularities.

Fractionated Resurfacing offers more intense treatments that achieve dramatic results but may also be accompanied by slightly more downtime. It provides more power and precision for skin-enhancing treatments versus IPL. Generally, more aged and sun-damaged skin achieves better results with an Er:Yag Fractional Resurfacing treatment than IPL.

Benefits of The Er:Yag Fractional Laser Resurfacing Treatment

• 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

• The treatment strength can be adjusted to suit one’s needs, skin condition and lifestyle

• Better results are seen with multiple treatments, depending on the skin’s condition

• Long-lasting results, but yearly maintenance treatment are helpful

• 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 anesthetics are used

What is IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)?

IPL works by delivering high-intensity light pulses intended to heat specific targets in the skin selectively. After this non-ablative treatment, the cells heal, resulting in clearer skin. 

With IPL, a range of wavelengths must be used that are preferentially absorbed by the intended “target” structures such as hair follicles, broken capillaries, or pigment. 

It addresses a range of issues such as unwanted hair, blood vessels and brown spots. In addition, it can help to rejuvenate the skin via neocollagenesis with less downtime than a resurfacing treatment. Those with mild sun damage or rosacea would benefit from an IPL Photofacial.

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

Choosing IPL or Fractional Laser Resurfacing

When deciding between IPL and laser treatments, it is essential to have an open conversation about goals, downtime and lifestyle with your provider to select the best option for your needs. 

These treatments can be combined for the ultimate treatment of texture, fine lines, unwanted pigment and vascular lesions.

Event SkinCare proudly offers Sharplight™ IPL and Er:Yag laser therapy treatments and offers high-quality, individualized care for our clients.