Laser photo-rejuvenation treatments are highly effective laser skin therapies that can treat a variety of indications including redness, sun damage, pigmentation issues, age spots, fine lines, and large pores. Most patients also find that photofacials also leave their skin feeling softer and smoother than before the treatment.
Two of the most popular forms of photo-rejuvenation, IPL PhotoFacial and VBeam, can produce very similar results. However, there are some key differences between the two lasers.
IPL™ PhotoFacial uses precise amounts of visible light (IPL is ‘intense pulsed light’) to effectively treat facial redness and improve sun-damaged skin. The light energy is absorbed by the damaged tissue resulting in a stimulation of the production of collagen. This reaction addresses common signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots.
IPL devices can use a variety of different wavelengths or colors of light in the same pulse. As such, IPL treatments can be customized for a variety of different indications and levels of severity.
VBeam is a laser device that emits a single wavelength (595 nm) or color of light in order to safely and effectively remove vascular and pigmented discolorations, including rosacea, sun spots, age spots, freckles, port wine stains, and facial veins.
IPL treatments tend to address sun damage better than VBeam, especially for patients with lighter skin tones.
Both laser types are great for treating redness. However, the VBeam usually achieves an optimal result in fewer treatments compared to IPL.
VBeam tends to better address rosacea in far fewer treatments. Typically it can take IPL up to 6 treatments to resolve rosacea-induced redness while VBeam can yield similar results in 3 to 4 treatments. Additionally, VBeam also helps with rosacea-induced acne.
The VBeam laser can use different attachments and settings enabling it to treat blood vessels of different sizes and depths. IPL only works to treat overall redness but not specific vessels.
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In the hands of an experienced provider, both IPL and VBeam are relatively safe. However, the VBeam laser does have a built-in safety function: it uses a spray of cold air along with each pulse of laser light to prevent skin damage or overheating. This benefit is not available for IPL, which does make it possible to overheat or potentially burn the skin if an IPL treatment is not performed by an experienced technician.
Compared to other laser treatment options, the downtime associated with both IPL and VBeam is relatively low. That said though, VBeam generally has a shorter recovery period compared to IPL. Most patients will experience some redness and light swelling for 2-4 days after treatment. IPL, on the other hand, can involve some scabbing and temporary pigmentation over the entire treatment area that lasts a week.
The answer to this question depends on the specific needs and characteristics of the individual patient. While it’s great for patients to understand how IPL and VBeam differ, the best person to answer this question is a skilled laser technician with experience in both platforms.
If you are interested in VBeam or IPL, please contact us today for a consultation.
