IPL vs. Laser: What’s the Difference?

 At Soma Medical Spa, we love chatting about all thing’s aesthetics and skincare. When it comes to popular skin treatments, one of the questions we hear all the time is, “What’s the difference between IPL and laser treatments?”

We get it—there’s a lot of buzz about both treatments, and it can be tricky to figure out which one is best for your skin goals. So, let’s break it down for you in a way that’s easy to understand (and fun, because learning about skin treatments should never feel boring).

First Things First: What Are IPL and Laser Treatments?

Both Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and laser treatments are superstar technologies in the world of aesthetics. They work wonders for your skin, tackling everything from sun damage to unwanted hair. But they’re not the same!

Here’s a quick breakdown:

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

Think of IPL as a multitasker. It uses a broad spectrum of light (like a rainbow, but for your skin) to target different concerns. It’s like the multi-tasker of skin treatments.

What it’s great for:

• Sunspots and hyperpigmentation
• Redness and rosacea
• Acne and acne scars
• General skin rejuvenation

How it works: The light from IPL penetrates your skin and targets pigments (like dark spots or redness). It breaks them down, so your skin looks brighter and more even-toned.

Laser Treatments

Lasers in the skincare world are —precise and targeted. They use a single wavelength of light, meaning they’re designed to focus on one specific issue at a time.

What they’re great for:

• Deep wrinkles
• Fine lines
• Tattoo removal
• Skin resurfacing
• Spider veins
• Hair removal

How it works: Lasers emit a highly focused beam of light to target a specific area. For example, if you want to resurface your skin, the laser removes the outer layer to reveal smoother, younger-looking skin underneath.

Key Differences Between IPL and Laser

 

How Do You Choose Between IPL and Laser?

It depends on what you’re looking to achieve!

• Choose IPL if you want a gentle, all-over skin boost. It’s perfect for addressing redness, discoloration, and general skin rejuvenation with little to no downtime.
• Choose laser treatments if you’re targeting something specific. Whether it’s deep wrinkles or stubborn sun damage, lasers offer more power and precision for those tougher concerns.

What’s The Recovery Time?

Both IPL and laser treatments are considered non-invasive, but the recovery process can vary:

IPL Recovery

• Minimal downtime might have some redness, but it’s usually gone within a few hours to a day.
• Makeup can often be applied immediately (just remember to use SPF).
• Results build gradually over several sessions.

Laser Recovery

• Recovery depends on the intensity of the laser.
• Mild treatments might have a couple of days of redness, while deeper resurfacing lasers can take a week or two to fully heal.
• Sunscreen and gentle skincare are a must while your skin heals.

Why Choose Soma Medical Spa?

We’re not just skincare experts, we’re skincare lovers! Our goal is to educate, empower, and help you feel amazing in your skin. At Soma Medical Spa in Glendale, CA, we offer cutting-edge treatments like IPL delivered in a welcoming, no-pressure environment.

What Our Clients Love:

• Personalized consultations to find the best treatment for YOU.
• State-of-the-art technology for safe, effective results.
• A team that’s as invested in your skincare journey as you are!

Let’s Glow Together

Curious about IPL or want to learn what skin treatment is best for you?  Book a consultation with us and let’s create a plan to make your skin glow like never before.