Laser vs IPL: What's the Difference?

A laser produces a single, concentrated wavelength of light, while intense pulsed light (IPL) releases a broad flash containing many wavelengths at once. IPL is often called a "photofacial" and is sometimes mistaken for a laser, but it is a different type of device. Both can treat sun spots, redness and unwanted hair, and the more suitable choice depends on what you want treated and on your skin type.

How the light differs

Think of a laser as a tuning fork: it produces one precise note. A laser beam is a single wavelength, travels in a tight, focused path and can be delivered in very controlled pulses. Because the wavelength is fixed, each laser is designed to be absorbed by particular targets in the skin, such as water, pigment or the blood in small vessels.

IPL is closer to a camera flash with filters. The lamp releases a wide band of visible and near-infrared light. Filters placed over the treatment head cut out shorter wavelengths so the light is weighted toward a chosen target. The light spreads out more and covers a larger area with each pulse.

Neither is simply "stronger." They are different tools, and each has situations where it fits well and situations where it does not.

What lasers are commonly used for

Different laser wavelengths do different jobs. On a Fotona system, for example, two wavelengths are used:

• Er:YAG (2940 nm) is strongly absorbed by water in the skin. It is used for resurfacing texture, fine lines and some scars, and for removing certain benign surface growths.
• Nd:YAG (1064 nm) penetrates more deeply and is less absorbed by surface pigment. It is used for hair reduction, some vascular concerns such as small leg and facial veins, and heat-based skin tightening.

Because laser energy is so targeted, settings can be adjusted precisely for depth, pulse length and spot size. That precision is part of why lasers are used for resurfacing, which IPL cannot do. For an overview of the device, see what is a Fotona laser.

What IPL is commonly used for

IPL is mainly used for colour-related concerns at the surface of the skin:

• scattered sun spots and freckling on the face, chest and hands
• diffuse redness and small visible vessels, including some rosacea-related redness
• hair reduction on lighter skin with darker hair

Because IPL treats a broad area with each flash, it can address mixed redness and brown spots across a whole region in one session. It does not remove tissue, so it is not used to resurface texture, deep lines or scars.

Why skin type changes the answer

Skin tone is a major factor. IPL's broad spectrum includes wavelengths that are well absorbed by melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. In medium to dark skin, more of that energy is taken up by the skin itself rather than the intended target, which raises the risk of burns, blistering and lasting pigment changes. For this reason, IPL is generally used with caution or avoided in darker skin, and in anyone with a tan.

Longer-wavelength lasers such as Nd:YAG pass through surface pigment more readily, which is why they are often chosen for hair reduction in darker skin. They still carry risk in every skin type, and settings still have to be matched to the individual. Our article on laser hair removal and skin types explains how skin type affects device choice.

Pigment conditions also matter. Melasma, for example, can worsen with heat and light, and both IPL and some laser treatments may aggravate it. A careful diagnosis comes before choosing any device.

Comparing the experience

Both treatments often feel like a snap or warm flick against the skin. Cooling is used with most devices. After IPL for spots, brown marks usually darken and flake off over one to two weeks, and the skin may be pink for a few hours to a day. After laser, recovery ranges from almost nothing (for some hair or vascular treatments) to a week or more (for deeper resurfacing).

Most concerns, whether treated with laser or IPL, need a series of sessions, and results vary from person to person. Sun spots and redness can return with ongoing sun exposure, so daily sunscreen is part of any plan.

Who should not have laser or IPL, or should wait

Light-based treatments are generally postponed or avoided:

• with a current tan, recent sunburn or self-tanner on the area
• during pregnancy, for elective treatment
• with active infection, open wounds or cold sores in the area
• while taking medicines or supplements that increase light sensitivity, which should be reviewed first
• with a history of seizures triggered by light, which must be discussed before any flash-based treatment
• over spots that are new, changing or unusual, until a doctor has examined them

Never stop a prescribed medication on your own to have treatment; talk to your prescriber first.

Main risks

For both lasers and IPL, possible effects include redness, swelling, temporary darkening or lightening of the skin, blistering, crusting and, rarely, scarring. Eye injury is a serious risk with any light-based device, which is why protective eyewear is required for everyone in the room. Risks are higher when settings are not matched to skin type or when skin is tanned.

Frequently asked questions

Is IPL a type of laser?

No. It is a light-based device, but it uses a broad spectrum of light rather than the single wavelength that defines a laser.

Which is better for brown spots?

Both can work for suitable spots in suitable skin. The choice depends on your skin tone, how many spots there are, whether any spot needs a medical check first, and what else you want to treat.

Does HealthPark offer IPL?

Our laser treatments are performed with a Fotona laser system. If another type of device may suit your concern better, that is something we can discuss openly at your consultation.

If you are unsure whether a laser or another light-based treatment fits your skin, HealthPark Medical Aesthetics can review your concerns, skin type and history with you and explain your options, including whether treatment is needed at all.