Should I Get IPL Photofacial or “Fraxel” Fractional Laser?

Several Med Spas in Grand Rapids offer IPL “Photofacials” while far fewer offer fractional laser (“Fraxel” type) treatments. But SpaMedica in Grand Rapids offers both! This is important when considering a Med Spa, because those that only offer one of these treatments will absolutely try to steer you in that direction – even if it isn’t the best treatment for your skin care needs.

Many patients come into SpaMedica in Grand Rapids, asking whether IPL of Fraxel-type laser will be best for their skin. When you schedule a consultation at SpaMedica in Grand Rapids, we will evaluate your skin and help you choose the skin care treatment(s) that are the best for your unique skin concerns. And, in addition to IPL Photofacials and fractional laser treatments, we also offer advanced radiofrequency treatments including Morheus8 RF microneedling.

In this article we compare IPL Photofacials with the CynoSure fractional Icon 1540 laser, to help you decide which treatment is best for you.

Fractional Laser Treatment (“Fraxel”) vs. IPL Treatment (“Photofacial”)

At SpaMedica in Grand Rapids we always take into consideration each individual patient’s skin tone, age, sun damage, and skin texture when deciding which treatment to recommend. We also discuss the patient’s lifestyle and whether they are looking for a treatment with or without “downtime.”

IPL – also called a Photofacial – is not a laser, although many people erroneously assume it is. IPL stands for “Intense Pulsed Light” which is the technology used in Photofacials. The first IPL device was given FDA clearance in the United States more than 25 years ago in 1995 for treatment of broken capillaries (small veins blood vessels) that cause redness (telangiectasias).

Fractional laser treatments, however, do use laser beams that are divided into thousands of small columns that penetrate deep into the skin. Twelve years after IPL, in 2007, “Fraxel” was the first fractional laser ablative resurfacing system cleared by the FDA. Today many of the worlds leading manufacturers of skincare lasers produce advanced fractionated lasers.

At SpaMedica in Grand Rapids, we have chosen the state-of-the-art Icon 1540 fractionated laser by world leader in laser technologies Cynosure.

Difference Between Uses of IPL and Fractional Lasers

IPL uses adjustable wavelengths of pulsed light to remove redness of the skin caused by rosacea, broken blood vessels, and acne, as well as to reduce hyperpigmentation, including age spots and brown spots from sun damage. IPL can also be used for the resurfacing of fine lines and mild wrinkles, but it is not as effective as fractional lasers or Morpheus8 RF microneedling for deeper wrinkles.

Fractional laser treatments – including the brand name Fraxel – uses a laser to stimulate collagen production, which smooths wrinkles and reduces the appearance of some types of scars. Fractional lasers can also break up skin pigmentation to reduce some brown spots and other types of hyperpigmentation – but not as successfully as IPL in most cases.

Best Candidates for IPL and Fractional Lasers

The best candidates for IPL are patients who have lighter skin tone. This is because IPL’s light pulses are absorbed by darker pigment. So, when patients have tanned or dark skin, the wavelength is absorbed by both the damaged and the healthy skin – which can lead to burns.

However, advanced fractional lasers like the Fraxel and the Cynosure Icon 1540, are typically safe for use on all skin tones. So, this treatment is better suited for patients with darker skin colors. Morpheus8 microneedling is also safe for all skin tones and colors.

If the patient is light skinned and their primary concern is either redness or pigmentation – with little or mild wrinkling and skin laxity – we will typically recommend IPL Photofacial treatments. While fractional lasers are generally advised for patients of all skin tones whose primary concern is retexturing lines and wrinkles and remedying loose or lax skin, with or without mild discolorations.

Other Considerations for IPL Photofacials & Fractional Lasers

No anesthetic is needed for IPL. And most IPL patients will require three IPL sessions spaced about 2 to 3 weeks apart to see maximum results. After an IPL Photofacial, patients may notice some darkening of the treated pigmentation that takes from 5 to 14 days to flake off. Patients must wear sunscreen and avoid direct sun exposure after IPL – but other than some flaking there is no downtime.

Fractional laser removes more of the skin, so it is less comfortable than IPL. Fractional laser patients will need to have numbing cream applied prior to the procedure to help keep them comfortable. Fractional laser patients will typically require 3 to 4 treatments spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart, depending on the extent of their skin problems. Due to swelling and redness, most fractional patients will require a couple days of downtime until they feel “presentable” going out in public.

Additionally, while roughly the same number of treatments are often needed for IPL and fractional laser, the cost-per-treatment for IPL Photofacials is generally less than the cost of fractional laser treatments.

IPL Photofacials & Fractional (Fraxel-type) Laser Treatments

Schedule a consultation at SpaMedica in Grand Rapids to see if IPL Photofacial, fractional laser skin resurfacing, Morpheus8 Radiofrequency, or another one of our revolutionary skin care and antiaging treatments is right for you.

For more information about these treatments and to schedule a consultation, contact Amy Howe, our licensed aesthetician at SpaMedica in Grand Rapids, MI and take the first step toward loving the way you look!

Grand Rapids IPL Photofacials & Fractional Laser Treatments: (616) 888-3890