Is there anything better than the feeling of the sun on your skin? The light, warmth, and comfort have a primal healing power that we all intrinsically feel.
Unsurprisingly, people have found a way to harness light’s healing rays. Light therapy – originally known as photo therapy – has been used to heal the body since the early 1900s. In the 1960s, photo therapy research progressed and people started to call it LED therapy.
Light therapy was originally designed to treat chronic pain and soft tissue injuries. But over time, researchers noticed that light could be used to heal superficial tissue as well. These days, light is a common feature in facials and other skin resurfacing techniques.
IPL photofacials and LED light therapy are two types of light therapy that harness light to refine the skin. Keep reading to learn the difference between IPL and LED light therapy, as well as how Stadia Med Spa uses light to improve your skin.
LED light therapy is a skincare treatment that harnesses various wavelengths of light. Blue light penetrates the surface layer. It can increase collagen production by stimulating the fibroblast cells that produce collagen for your skin. Red light penetrates deeper into the oil glands beneath the skin’s surface. It can inhibit oil production and reduce inflammation in the oil glands, which could potentially lead to fewer acne breakouts.
In-office LED light therapy is used to treat:
While you can go to a med spa for LED light therapy, many people buy an LED mask to use at home. LED masks for at-home use are usually less powerful than those found in a medical spa and may only improve surface-level skin ailments.
The IPL photofacial is a skin rejuvenation treatment designed to lessen the appearance of wrinkles, scars, and sun damage. The heat from the photofacial stimulates collagen production and kills harmful bacteria to reduce inflammation.
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light because the device emits short bursts of intense light. Your provider can adjust the wavelengths of the light for a more gentle, surface-level treatment, or a more intense wavelength to target deep acne scars and inflammation.
The IPL facial also includes a powerful healing serum that penetrates deep into the skin. The laser creates tiny microchannels which hold the serum and heal the skin from the inside out.
IPL photofacial is an effective treatment for:
Several IPL photofacials may cause the top layer of skin to peel away, revealing the fresh and healthy skin underneath. While the intense light may sound harsh, most people compare the after-effects to a mild sunburn which dissipates within a few days.
LED light therapy and the IPL facial both use light to heal the skin. The heat from the light stimulates collagen production and reduces inflammation that causes acne breakouts. Both are beneficial for a variety of skin conditions including acne, fine wrinkles, rosacea, and sun damage.
However, despite how similar these treatments may sound, they do have a few key differences.
LED light therapy is like a lighter version of an IPL photofacial. The wavelengths are not as strong and the results are not usually as dramatic.
The IPL device wavelengths are adjusted based on your unique skin care goals. They penetrate deeper and are combined with a healing skin serum to continue healing the skin after your treatment is over.
For deeper, longer-lasting healing, the IPL photofacial offers more control and more variety of wavelengths.
LED light therapy requires regular use to see results. You may need to return once a month for several months to see visible changes. And the results eventually fade if you stop LED light therapy.
Meanwhile, the IPL photofacial may create permanent changes to your skin. The treatment reduced redness and the appearance of broken blood vessels between 50% and 75% in certain studies. It also caused 70% fewer brown spots and redness caused by UV rays. Surface-level skin ailments may go away with a single session while more extensive problems may take between 4 and 6 treatments for visible results.
While IPL therapy is more intense, you need fewer treatments overall to see results. You may see dramatic and long-lasting results after 6 visits while LED light therapy needs constant maintenance.
LED light therapy is less intense than the IPL facial, so you will feel no pain or discomfort during your treatment. Many people find the gentle warmth therapeutic and enjoyable.
The IPL photofacial is not always pain-free, but discomfort is minimal. Because the light penetrates so deeply, many people feel a sensation that is often compared to a hot stone massage combined with the snap of an elastic band on the surface of the skin.
LED light therapy is a gentler, lighter way to experiment with light therapy. You may or may not see visible results depending on the depth of your skin issues. If you are committed to regular treatments, LED light therapy can be a valuable addition to your skincare routine.
IPL photofacials are a more intensive, skincare therapy. It addresses deeper scars, sun damage, and discoloration. If you want to see noticeable, permanent changes to your skin, a photofacial will give you lasting results with only a few treatments.
Both treatments are inappropriate if you are sensitive to light, have a serious skin condition, are pregnant, or taking certain medications. People with dark skin or severe scarring are not candidates for light therapy.
Stadia Med Spa recommends the IPL facial for skin rejuvenation. You should always consult with a dermatologist or your primary care doctor first if you have any major skin issues that you wish to address with light therapy.
Stadia Med Spa in San Antonio, TX, offers IPL photofacials for all skin types and tones. Start with a free consultation if you are curious about IPL facials or want to learn more about light therapy. One of our certified medical professionals will examine your skin and let you know which treatment(s) will help you meet your goals!
Call 210-881-6270 today!
