What's the difference between Fraxel laser and the IPL treatment?

Hello,

Thank you for your question. Fraxel is a laser that uses steam to create a minor injury that stimulates collagen growth. This treatment will improve the texture of your skin, it will help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and tighten. The IPL is a treatment that will improve the color of your skin. It will help get rid of brown spots and eliminate redness. Each treatment may need to be done more than once.

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.
Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Fraxel is a nonablative laser used to resurface the skin and IPL is a light therapy that is used for brow and red discoloration.  Fraxel is great for antiaging, wrinkles, pores and IPL only works for color but doesnt give an antiaging benefit.  Please combine fraxel with thermage and sculptra for the best outcome. Best, Dr. Emer.