Pulsed Light Acne Treatment vs. Laser Treatment

Choosing between IPL and laser can be confusing

There are many types of laser and intense pulse light (IPL) treatments that have been developed for hair removal and the treatment of skin conditions such as wrinkles and skin discoloration. Confusion is often the result when selecting between laser and IPL.

Similarity

IPL and laser are both heat-generating light treatments that fight acne by reducing production in the sebaceous (oil) glands and killing the bacteria that cause acne.

The Major Difference

Lasers treat acne with a single wavelength (color) of light at a time, whereas IPL acne treatment can deliver hundreds of thousands of wavelengths to infected follicles.

Effects

After laser treatment, a patient may be homebound for several days. But because IPL for acne leaves untreated areas untouched, the patient can resume a normal routine on the day of the treatment.

Acne Scars

When it comes to treating acne scars, Virginia Beach dermatologist Arnold R. Oppenheim says IPL is only minimally effective, whereas the gold standard for treatment is the CO2 laser.

Costs

Machines for laser acne treatments are more expensive than IPL machines. This, along with the fact that laser treatments must be done by a trained physician, whereas IPL can be performed by a cosmetologist, makes laser acne treatment more costly than acne treatment with IPL.

References

• Consulting room
• Real Self
• Acne Treatment Forum

Resources

• American Chronicle