{"id":12802,"date":"2020-01-22T13:25:31","date_gmt":"2020-01-22T21:25:31","guid":{"rendered":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/?p=12802"},"modified":"2023-10-12T13:02:14","modified_gmt":"2023-10-12T20:02:14","slug":"laser-vs-ipl-sun-damage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/laser-vs-ipl-sun-damage","title":{"rendered":"Laser vs. IPL: How to Choose The Right Device for Treating Sun Damage"},"content":{"rendered":"

A woman’s right to choose is a beautiful thing—unless, of course, it means choosing between beautiful things. Laser or IPL? Kybella or lipo? Radiesse or Restylane? Welcome to This\/That<\/a>, where each month, we’ll compare two common solutions to popular aesthetic concerns, delivering all the pros, cons, and caveats you need to make safe, smart decisions.<\/em><\/p>

Forgive me, skin gods, for I have sinned. I have lain poolside, slicked with baby oil, in a Brenda Walsh–inspired bandeau bikini. I have succumbed to the warm glow of a pre-prom tanning bed (once, in 1994, but still). I have suffered blistering spring-break burns along the shores of Malibu and West Palm Beach.<\/p>

While my DNA has, thus far, evaded malignant mutations (no skin cancer at last check!), sun-fueled brown spots<\/a>, ruddiness, and fine lines<\/a> have become my midlife cross to bear. <\/p>

Interested in laser treatment?<\/small><\/div>Find Doctors Near You<\/a><\/div>

Melodramatic? Maybe a little, since such damnation is hardly eternal in our modern dermatologic age. There are lasers<\/a> and light devices galore, tuned to target and expunge any evidence of youthful transgressions. The trick is knowing which options can best address your particular concerns—and how to sidestep complications and disappointment.<\/p>

I’ve tried a number of lasers over the years, all with moderate success, and planned to keep on keeping on—until I noticed recently that intense pulsed light (IPL)<\/a> was having a social media moment. My feeds were suddenly studded with vague but compelling before-and-afters and seemingly uncontrived praise from immaculate-skinned influencers and MDs. <\/p>

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Getting this beauty👸🏼 ready for ⚡️Fashion Week with my M22 IPL, which reduces facial redness. #nycfashionweek #ipl #bbl #photofacial #laserfacial #rosacea #redness #facialredness<\/a><\/p>

A post shared by Dr. Estee Williams, MD<\/a> (@dresteewilliams) on