VBeam VS Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

Laser photo-rejuvenation treatments are highly effective laser skin therapies that can treat a variety of indications including redness, sun damage, pigmentation issues, age spots, fine lines, and large pores. Most patients also find that photofacials also leave their skin feeling softer and smoother than before the treatment.

Two of the most popular forms of photo-rejuvenation, IPL PhotoFacial and VBeam, can produce very similar results. However, there are some key differences between the two lasers.

WHAT IS INTENSE PULSED LIGHT (IPL)?

IPL™ PhotoFacial uses precise amounts of visible light (IPL is ‘intense pulsed light’) to effectively treat facial redness and improve sun-damaged skin. The light energy is absorbed by the damaged tissue resulting in a stimulation of the production of collagen. This reaction addresses common signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots.

IPL devices can use a variety of different wavelengths or colors of light in the same pulse. As such, IPL treatments can be customized for a variety of different indications and levels of severity.

WHAT IS VBEAM?

VBeam is a laser device that emits a single wavelength (595 nm) or color of light in order to safely and effectively remove vascular and pigmented discolorations, including rosacea, sun spots, age spots, freckles, port wine stains, and facial veins.

WHICH LASER IS BETTER FOR TREATING SUN DAMAGE?

IPL treatments tend to address sun damage better than VBeam, especially for patients with lighter skin tones.

WHICH LASER IS BETTER FOR TREATING REDNESS?

Both laser types are great for treating redness. However, the VBeam usually achieves an optimal result in fewer treatments compared to IPL.

WHICH LASER TYPE IS BETTER FOR ADDRESSING ROSACEA?

VBeam tends to better address rosacea in far fewer treatments. Typically it can take IPL up to 6 treatments to resolve rosacea-induced redness while VBeam can yield similar results in 3 to 4 treatments. Additionally, VBeam also helps with rosacea-induced acne.

WHICH TREATMENT WORKS BEST FOR BROKEN BLOOD VESSELS?

The VBeam laser can use different attachments and settings enabling it to treat blood vessels of different sizes and depths. IPL only works to treat overall redness but not specific vessels.

In summary, my vote as it relates to the issues addressed are:

Issue	IPL	VBeam
Sun Damage	Preferred	Good
Redness	Good	Preferred
Rosacea	Good	Preferred
Vascular	Not Treatable	Preferred

WHICH TREATMENT IS THE SAFEST?

In the hands of an experienced provider, both IPL and VBeam are relatively safe. However, the VBeam laser does have a built-in safety function: it uses a spray of cold air along with each pulse of laser light to prevent skin damage or overheating. This benefit is not available for IPL, which does make it possible to overheat or potentially burn the skin if an IPL treatment is not performed by an experienced technician.

WHICH TREATMENT HAS LESS DOWNTIME?

Compared to other laser treatment options, the downtime associated with both IPL and VBeam is relatively low. That said though, VBeam generally has a shorter recovery period compared to IPL. Most patients will experience some redness and light swelling for 2-4 days after treatment. IPL, on the other hand, can involve some scabbing and temporary pigmentation over the entire treatment area that lasts a week.

OVERALL WHAT’S BETTER: IPL OR VBEAM?

The answer to this question depends on the specific needs and characteristics of the individual patient. While it’s great for patients to understand how IPL and VBeam differ, the best person to answer this question is a skilled laser technician with experience in both platforms.

If you are interested in VBeam or IPL, please contact us today for a consultation.

Candela GentleLase Laser vs IPL

The Candela GentleLase also has the largest spot size (18mm diameter), combining together characteristics that enable deeper penetration by laser energy of the targeted area and faster treatments than early forms of Laser hair Removal machines such as, Long Pulse Ruby, Diode Lasers, and Flash-lamp devices

Candela GentleLase vs. Other Technology

Lasers and IPLs have been used for permanent hair reduction and skin rejuvenation treatments for many years. Although both IPL and Laser are light-based technologies, there are distinct differences between the two. Light is a component of the electromagnetic wave spectrum. The name itself stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (L A S E R). To understand how LASERs work we need to understand two terms: coherent and incoherent light.

Incoherent Light is emitted by normal means such as a flashlight or a bulb. The photons of the many wave frequencies of light are oscillating in different directions ( IPL systems), therefore photons will dissipate before reaching the follicle.

Coherent light is a beam of photons (almost like particles of light waves) that have the same frequency and are all at the same frequency. Only a beam of laser light will not spread and diffuse. In Genuine lasers, waves are identical and in phase, which produces a beam of coherent light. To achieve best results for Laser Hair Removal, Coherent Light is required in order to accurately target the follicle.

Laser Hair Removal wavelength:

Longer (scatter less)
Deeper penetration (Less Epidermal damage)

Long Pulsed Ruby Laser —- (694 nm) Long Pulse Alexandrite Laser —- (755 nm) (GentleLase) Pulsed diode Laser —- (800 nm) Long Pulsed Nd: YAG —- (1064 nm) Flashlamp system —- (515 – 1200 nm)

Laser Hair Removal Pulse duration:

Longer (ensures best results)
Precise rapid heating without damaging surrounding area (Selective Photothermolysis)

Spot size:

Bigger the spot size the better results

About IPL, VPL, SPL and SLPL:

IPL – Intense Pulsed Light is the name of the technology Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a light-based technology. It works by delivering shots of light of many different incoherent wavelengths over the area being treated. There are many variations of IPL machines currently available and new ones arrive every day.

Some machines are simple IPLs, others are SPLs, APL or VPLs, then there are SLPLs… All this can be very confusing. So the important thing to remember is that anything “PL” – is a Pulse Light systems and NOT Genuine Laser. The manufacturers invent many of the names for new Pulsed Light (PL) Systems for the purposes of describing the point of difference of their equipment compared to their competitors.

The truth is that majority of Pulsed Light (PL) Systems work on the same principle, that is: computer generated Pulsed Light with an incoherent light wave pattern.

Example :

SLPL – This abbreviation stands for Super Long Pulsed Light. As the name obviously suggests pulses or shots are longer in duration. However, this does not necessarily mean better results. The wave light pattern is still incoherent.

VPL – V stands for Variable pulse. This allows for multi-pulsing (several pulses of light within each shot) is still incoherent

SPL – S in this example, stands for Square Pulse Light. This means the light is equally disbursed under the skin and it takes a lot less energy to achieve the same effect as it would with a “standard” pulse. SPLs are usually lower energy machines with an incoherent wave pattern.

Conclusion:

Lasers and IPLs have been used for permanent hair reduction and skin rejuvenation treatments for many years. Although both IPL and Laser are light-based technologies, there are distinct differences between the two. Lasers use a single wavelength of coherent light while IPLs utilise various wavelengths of incoherent light.

here is a great assortment of IPL machines operating in clinics and salons. Different IPL equipment would usually operate on different wavelengths and parameters.

Various wavelengths of light absorb into (and effect) different substances [chromophores] in our skin and body differently and this can make it very difficult for the consumer to choose the correct laser machine. The machine would have to suit their particular skin and hair type and tone as well as be suitable for treatment of that person’s particular condition [hair removal or pigmentation treatment etc].

This means that two different people may respond to laser hair removal treatment on the same equipment completely differently. At Victoria Park Medispa, we use Candela GentleLase (Alexandrite Laser). The Candela GentleLase has a longer wavelength (755nm), and high energy (100J/cm2) well suited to safe and effective Hair Removal.

Once again, we strongly encourage you to spend some time researching your chosen Laser Hair Removal Clinic and the equipment it uses. Contact Victoria Park Medispa to arrange a FREE consultation to discuss a treatment plan that suits your needs with one of our trained, qualified and experienced laser hair removal staff.