Should I Get Fraxel Laser or IPL?

Are you overwhelmed by the amount of anti-aging and skin rejuvenation products at the drugstore? The reality is, those products are made for the masses, and you have to wait months to see results (if any actually appear). At Alazzo, we tailor treatments to your specific skin needs, so you can be sure to get the results you want. Two great options for people looking to improve their skin tone and texture are Fraxel Laser treatments and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy. Let’s look at the differences between the two treatments, review their benefits, and help you determine which one is right for you:

Fraxel Laser versus IPL Therapy

Fraxel Laser technology is a heat-based laser treatment. It’s non-ablative, which means the laser heats underlying skin tissue as opposed to removing skin at the surface. IPL, on the other hand, uses small and controlled pulses of intense light to penetrate the skin.  

Fraxel is laser-based, whereas IPL is light-based. Both treatments stimulate the formation of collagen, which overall increases the health and smoothness of your skin. However, depending on your skin goals, you might want to consider one over the other. Let’s take a look at the benefits of each treatment:

Benefits of Fraxel

The Fraxel Laser targets small sections of damaged skin, making it a powerful and precise option for skin enhancement. The heat from the laser gives your skin a more youthful appearance with minimal downtime. It’s an effective way to reduce wrinkles and improve skin imperfections such as sunspots, acne scarring, actinic keratosis, and pigment irregularities. Fraxel can be performed on the face, neck, chest, legs, and hands. It can even be used to plump up lips! 

Treatments are tolerable and take around 90 minutes. Fraxel patients can immediately resume normal activities after receiving their treatment however you may experience temporary redness and swelling. Dramatic results can be noted after only a few treatments, spaced out over the course of several months. 

Benefits of IPL

IPL therapy addresses a variety of skin issues, from facial redness to sunspots to facial veins and more. The heat from the light rids the skin of unwanted cells, targeting broken blood vessels and irregular pigmentation. Collagen formation is enhanced when the areas of skin hyperpigmentation are addressed by the heat, resulting in a smoother and more even appearance.

IPL patients may experience a warm sensation during their treatment, and no downtime is required afterward. We recommend five treatments spaced every four weeks.

Which treatment is right for me?

To review, IPL therapy is a light-based treatment that can be performed on various areas of the body. It’s best for treating sun-damaged skin, reducing redness, and eliminating dark spots, and it can reduce the appearance of fine lines. It’s a shorter treatment than Fraxel Laser therapy, 

Fraxel is a laser therapy that improves skin tone and texture by addressing fine lines, sun spots, and acne scars. The treatment takes longer but may offer more dramatic results than IPL therapy.

If you’re curious to learn more about these skin treatments, give us a call! We will be able to direct you towards the service that will best help you reach your skin goals with a free consultation.