Is Photo Facials and Radio Frequency the Same Thing?

A photo facial refers to intense pulsed light (IPL) and is used for rejuvenation, brown spots and broken blood vessels.  Radiofrequency devices are for skin tightening. They are not the same.

Photofacials are usually performed with intense pulsed light.  IPL is used to treat redness, spider veins and brown spots and can stimulate some collagen.  Radio frequency is a device that delivers heat deeply into the skin to tighten collagen.  Although they are 2 different treatments, they complement each other and can be done together.

Photofacial is a procedure done using the Intense Pulsed Light system, which uses a range of wavelengths to work on the skin - it helps in treating sun spots, broken capillaries, and facial redness. Some call LED light therapy, as a form of photofacial too. This is used in acne treatment. In contrast, a radiofrequency system can be ablative - where it is used for removing benign skin growths, spider veins, and the non ablative version, which is used for skin tightening, wrinkle improvement and body contouring in one of two forms - monopolar and bipolar. The way each (photofacial/ RF) acts is different, and the reason why each is employed is also different. If you mentioned what you wanted done for your face/skin, your dermatologist will be able to help you with the best option. Good luck!

PhotoFacials are IPL (intense pulsed light) and Radio Frequency is used to drive energy deeper into the skin, and in some cases, used to tighten the skin. Some of the more advanced PhotoFacial machines, like those made by Syneron, contain both IPL and Radio Frequency energies which work simultaneously. This allows the light to penetrate much deeper into the skin and drive the light in to get to deeper pigment problems.