The skincare struggle is one that we all face. How do we fight back against sags, scars, and sun spots? The first thing that might come to mind is corrective surgery, such as a face lift. But there are actually a lot of other ways to treat your skin. Many of them revolve around LED and IPL light or laser light.
What are IPL and LED Treatments?
While most people have heard of lasers, many aren’t as familiar with IPL and LED light therapy. They are both “cool” light treatments unlike lasers, which produce a lot of heat. They uses flashes or pulses of that cool light to kick start higher collagen production levels in the body. In fact, IPL stands for intense pulsed light.”
There are IPL and LED machines that you can buy to use in your own home, which might sound convenient. However, just like with cosmetic lasers, LED and IPL machines are technical pieces of equipment, which are run much more accurately by those who have been properly trained. That’s why many people have IPL and LED treatments done in clinics by professionals.
Using Lasers for Greater Differences in Your Skin’s Condition
If you are dealing with moderate skin sags, wrinkles, or blemishes, you may find that “cool” light treatments don’t do the trick. It may be necessary to employ a treatment method that is a bit stronger, like a laser procedure. But then the question is which laser procedure is right for you?
Lasers are divided into several categories, but the two biggest are ablative and non-ablative. The former are stronger and capable of providing the fastest results, but they can also be somewhat uncomfortable and aren’t without their risks. Namely, they can cause problems for those with oily skin. They also remove a lot of surface skin cells, leaving openings for bacterial infections to get in, which is why it’s so important to clean your skin well and follow the directions of your clinician, if you have ablative treatment.
Non-ablative treatments and other laser procedures, such as Fraxel procedures, often focus more on lower skin layers. They can be quite effective over time, but it can take a while before the improvements will actually show up on the surface of your skin. So, you will have to be patient and go back for several treatments. On the plus side, they don’t come with infection risks that are as high as the risks that come with ablative treatments. So, if you’re looking for a more gradual, safer way to improve your skin’s condition, they might be good options.
Each Person’s Skin Reacts Differently to Treatment
It’s important to know that no two people are alike. Your skin is going to heal according to its own schedule. Not only that, but a treatment that may have worked for a friend or family member won’t necessarily heal your skin because your skin is not their skin.
Whether you choose a laser treatment, a form of light therapy, or some other skincare procedure, you should do so under the advisement of an expert. It’s important to make sure that your skincare clinician or dermatologist shares your view about which treatment is best. They are the experts, and they will have to evaluate your skin in a number of ways before they can sit down with you and develop a game plan for going forward with treating your skin.