Is IPL or CO2 Laser better for lighter skin with sun damage?
Answers from doctors (1)
Answered by David Green, MD
(View Profile)
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is most effective at improving some types of discoloration in the epidermis. It is non-ablative (it does not damage the skin and does not cause new skin to regenerate) and does not provide for any significant improvement in skin texture or quality - that is, it will not remove wrinkles. CO2 laser is an ablative laser - it damages the outer layers of the skin prompting the production of new skin - and provides for improvement in skin texture, i.e., it can reduce wrinkles, and skin color.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
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