Have you ever wondered what the difference is between Intense Pulsed Light and Radio frequency Resurfacing and why you would pick one treatment over another? This article provides an overview of both treatments so you can choose which skin treatment is right for you depending on your skin goals and skin type. 

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): 

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is mainly for people with fairer skin types on the Fitzpatrick scale 1-3, who want to treat sun damage and clear uneven colour from their skin such as red and brown tones. It treats redness, rosacea, sun damage, freckles and any non melasma pigmentation. IPL helps to even out skin tone and stimulates the production of collagen. 

IPL uses Broad spectrum wavelengths of light in each pulse to target red and brown chromophores in the skin and tye inflammatory pathway and stimulates the production of collagen.

Radio Frequency (RF) Resurfacing on the other hand…..

Radio Frequency (RF) Resurfacing is suitable for all skin types and works to improve the overall texture and tightness of your skin. It works particularly well under the eyes for tightening crepey skin texture and for flattening festoons. 

RF Resurfacing uses bipolar radio-frequency waves to ablate tiny fractions of skin to stimulate the production of collagen to repair the damaged tissue and remodel existing collagen.

RF can improve pigment and redness but not quite as well as IPL, it is however better for collagen stimulation and therefore works well to improve texture, wrinkles and acne scarring. 

Conclusion

Whether you have IPL or RF Resurfacing is really dependent on your skin goals and skin type. Also with the colder months reducing your exposure to the harsh sun, it's an ideal time to explore treatments like IPL or RF that can rejuvenate and repair your skin, leaving it ready to glow by the time spring arrives.

To discuss your skin goals with our expert practitioners, click here to make an appointment for a skin consultation, or call us on (02) 8041 5725.