Difference Between IPL and Laser • Lynton Lasers (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between laser and IPL laser? ›

The key difference between laser and IPL is the type of light used. IPL is a broadband pulsed light source, whereas laser is a monochromatic coherent light source. Both methods target the melanin in the hair follicle and deliver permanent results.

Long Pulsed Nd:YAG Laser (1064nm)

The Nd:YAG can also be used to treat skin laxity, deeper vessels and fungal nails.

A 2006 study “A comparison study of the efficacy and side effects of different light sources in hair removal” found that there was no statistical difference in the effectiveness of IPL, alexandrite lasers or diode laser treatments, although there were more side effects from diode laser.

Both IPL and lasers are effective in hair removal. IPL often requires more treatments and may not achieve the same final hair reduction as a laser can. Due to this, hair removal using a laser usually produces faster results. IPL is effective in not only hair removal, but also treating rosacea and facial flushing.

Redness and Skin Burns

One of the most common side effects of IPL treatments is a slight redness in the treated area. This is primarily due to the continuous exposure to heat during the procedure, which can cause minor skin damage similar to a light burn.

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.

The Fraxis Fractional CO2 Laser is a resurfacing treatment for skin rejuvenation. The treatment removes layers of skin tissue in a fractionated method (leaves untreated skin in between treated skin to allow faster healing).

If your priorities are younger looking skin, no surgery and minimal recovery time, fraxel treatments may be the way to go. Fraxel treatments help facial tone and texture damaged from the sun or simply aging improve. In just one treatment you will notice younger looking skin without a dramatic change in your appearance.

The Cutera® Intense Pulsed Light therapy (IPL), or photofacial, uses powerful pulses of light to correct the appearance of sun spots, rosacea, age spots, and rough skin texture.

Nd and LP Nd: YAG

This laser hair removal treatment penetrates the deepest hence lasts the longest. This means that the laser reaches the bottom root of the hair and successfully kills the hair follicles permanently after a few sessions.

What are the cons of Alexandrite laser? ›

Pain during treatment (reduced by contact cooling and if necessary, topical anaesthetic) Redness, swelling and itching immediately after the procedure that may last a few days after treatment. Rarely, skin pigment may absorb too much light energy and blistering can occur.

IPL treatment can be an effective way to treat a variety of skin conditions such as age spots, fine lines, acne, redness, and unwanted hair. You're likely to see good results with minimal side effects, but IPL therapy is not right for everyone.

BBL is a more precise treatment than IPL, allowing for improved targeting of specific skin issues with greater accuracy. It also can reduce wrinkles and stimulate collagen production, resulting in smoother, younger-looking skin.

No, IPL hair removal is typically less painful than professional laser treatments in-clinic because it uses lower-intensity light.

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.

Versatility: Lumecca IPL is a versatile treatment that can target a wide range of skin concerns, including sun damage, pigmentation irregularities, age spots, freckles, vascular lesions, rosacea, and facial redness. This versatility makes it an excellent option for individuals with multiple skin issues.

While IPL can significantly reduce hair growth, it does not guarantee permanent hair removal. Many users notice a significant reduction in hair density and thickness, making regrowth finer and lighter.

The main difference is the 'kind' of light they produce. IPL machines produce 'broad spectrum light' (all the colours of the rainbow). It is very bright, but not focused, so it does not target things very specifically. Laser machines produce a 'single' wavelength (one tiny part of that rainbow).

Alexandrite 755nm lasers are the shortest, best used on lighter skin and thinner hair. Darker skin types need a longer wavelength to avoid the laser targeted the surface skin pigment rather than the hair follicle. This is why Nd:YAG 1064nm is the best and safest option for darker skin.