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IPL Vs. Photo Facial: What's the Difference?

asked 3 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Daniel Shapiro, MD
Question viewed 19,512 times
Tags: comparison

I think IPL and photo facial is the same thing. please correct me if wrong

8 answers to IPL Vs. Photo Facial: What's the Difference?

+2

IPL same as Photofacial?

IPL is a light based device - Intense Pulsed Light, whereas "photofacial" is a treatment. Normally photofacials are performed with IPL devices which is why the confusion over the terms. It is significant to note that the term "photofacial" is very generic because it can refer to treating facial redness, sun damage or wrinkles.
Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

IPL vs. Photo Facial

You are correct, these are the same. IPL treatments are non-invasive light based therapies that combine Intensed Pulsed Optical and Radiofrequency energy treatments. An IPL treatment can be in the form of a Photo Facial or Prolite.
Daniel Shapiro, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
+1

You're right on. IPL and photofacials are the same.

Thanks for your question. Yes, IPL, which stands for "Intense Pulsed Light," and Photofacials (or Fotofacials and other spelling variants) are all the same treatment. Different companies like to use catchy names for the treatments, but it is the same technology.
Peter Schmid, DO

Longmont Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

IPL is one form of "photofacial"

The term "photofacial" is a marketing term used to describe the use of any light source (laser or IPL/BBL) to improve facial color, tone, or texture. If you are looking for results from a specific type of device (laser vs. IPL, brown spots vs. redness vs. pore shrinkage) it is important to inquire further with the dermatologist or plastic surgeon offering this service, to find out what devices they use and what the specific benefits are.
Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH

Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

IPL and Photofacial are the same thing

"Photofacial" is a marketing term for use of Intense Pulse Light (IPL) on the face. However, it is important to understand that skin tightening and wrinkle reduction with IPL are very, very subtle. IPL is best at removal of brown spots and broken blood vessels; it does so with minimal if any downtime. Mild skin tightening occurs after repetitive treatment dueto collagen remodelling, but not enough to get your hopes up.
Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

IPL vs. Photo Facial

IPL (Intense Photo Light) therapy is the same as BBL (Broad Band Light) therapy. These encompass a group of potential treatments which preferentially use different colored lights for different applications (from clearing acne, to getting rid discolorations and sun spots, getting rid of small vessels and spots of redness to getting rid of hair). Photofacial or photorejuvenation refers to a SUBSET of IPL / BBL treatments which aim to correct sun related damage - sun spots / freckles and... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Photofacial refers to many different practices

This term means nothing really except it is easy to say and most people recognize it to be related to an IPL or light based treatment. "Photo" meaning "light" and facial pertaining to the face. So many practices can use this term interchangeably with different lasers etc. Just ask your doctor what are they using on your skin a laser or a light based treatment and this will help clarify what you are getting. The IPL or light based photofacials are great at treatment... more
Shawn Allen, MD

Boulder Dermatologist
+1

You are correct.

Thank you for your question. In a VAST majority of cases, IPL and photofacial are the same. A photofacial aims to get rid of red vessels and dark spots, and these are the two primary goals of the IPL. However, some people use photofacial to describe the Vbeam laser for these uses, and even more recently, the term photofacial has been used to describe light facial resurfacing where the top layers are destroyed with a laser. For now, a photofacial generally refers to an IPL treatment for dark... more
Don Mehrabi, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologist

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