Are IPL lasers safe or even worth the investment? If you like content about beauty, skincare, medical aesthetic treatments, please subscribe, like, leave a comment.
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When I’m talking to my patients about what laser treatment is right for them and why I actually never recommend IPLs, these are some of the key points. First of all, IPLs have been around for a very long time, for almost two decades. And initially they were the only treatment or laser we had that would address pigment on the skin like sunspots, and it also does laser hair removal. Because of that, many medical aesthetic offices started acquiring IPL so that they could have a machine that does two things, and that still is why we see IPLs in so many offices. However, the IPL machine only does those things on lighter skin tones, and that’s exactly why I just don’t think it’s worth the investment.
IPLs can reduce pigment from sun damage on lighter skin tones, skin tones one through three. It can also do laser hair removal, but it’s not a very strong laser hair removal. So when you are getting laser hair removal from an IPL-based device, you’re likely going to need more sessions, and there is a greater risk of laser burns in darker skin tones if you’re even using it for laser hair removal.
Instead of IPLs, there are much, much better options in today’s world, and my favorite one is the picosecond laser, or the one I use in my practice, the PicoSure Pro. Picosecond lasers go deep into the skin. They stimulate collagen, which makes you address acne, scars, fine lines and wrinkles. They reduce pigment from sun damage, and most importantly, they also treat stubborn pigment from conditions like melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is basically dark spots from acne.
PicoSure laser or picosecond lasers also do tattoo removal, but regardless, they’re an excellent, excellent alternative to IPLs because they deliver so much more. The cost is going to be different between a PicoSure and IPL. IPLs are generally about 300 to $400 a session. PicoSure, on the other hand, is typically between 800 to even $1,000 a session, but there are big, big differences in the types of results and the safety. If you have a darker skin tone, skin types 4 or greater, do not use IPL. It is not a safe device for you, and it really doesn’t even deliver anything.
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