Trying to decide between IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatment and Vivace Ultra RF microneedling? It’s like choosing between two superheroes for your skin! Both treatments offer fantastic benefits, but they work in different ways to tackle various skincare issues—from sunspots and wrinkles to overall skin rejuvenation. Understanding what sets IPL and Vivace Ultra RF microneedling apart will help you pick the perfect option for achieving that glow-up you’re aiming for. And lucky for you, DermaPrecision offers both of these fabulous skin treatments.
Let’s dive into the details so you can decide what makes sense for your skin.
What is IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)?
An IPL face treatment is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure designed to improve overall skin tone, texture, and appearance. It uses broad-spectrum light pulses to target skin issues such as sun damage, age spots, rosacea, fine lines, and uneven pigmentation.
How IPL Works:
During an IPL treatment, pulses of light penetrate deep into the skin without damaging the outer layers. The light energy is absorbed by
melanin (pigment in the skin) and hemoglobin (blood vessels), heating them up and causing damage to targeted cells. This process stimulates the skin to produce new collagen and elastin fibers, which helps to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
What IPL Treats:
- Sun Damage: sun spots, freckles, and other dark patches
- Rosacea: redness in the cheeks and visible small blood vessels
- Fine Lines and Wrinkles: heat injury invokes collagen production
- Acne Scars: dark marks on the skin from prior acne
Who is it Good For:
Anyone with fair to medium skin tones who is looking to address sun damage, freckling, dark spots, rosacea, or tiny blood vessels.
Procedure and Results:
A typical IPL session lasts about 30 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated. Patients may experience mild discomfort during the procedure, often described as a hot “rubber-band snap”. A series of at least two sessions is usually recommended, at least 3 weeks apart, to achieve optimal results.
Over the following weeks, targeted skin imperfections gradually fade, and overall skin tone and texture improve.
Cost: Approximately $450 per session
The IPL takeaway:
IPL is one of my favorite options to help clear the skin and make the tone and texture uniform in appearance. Let’s face it – sun damage just makes you look older! This treatment is best done in the fall/winter months when you don’t have to worry about sun exposure, as the sunlight can compromise your results. Be sure to plan ahead for upcoming events!
What is Vivace Ultra RF Microneedling?
Vivace RF microneedling is an advanced cosmetic procedure that combines radiofrequency (RF) energy with microneedling to rejuvenate and tighten the skin.
How Vivace Ultra RF Microneedling Works:
Vivace RF microneedling utilizes tiny needles that create microscopic punctures in the skin’s surface.
These controlled injuries stimulate the skin’s natural healing process, promoting collagen and elastin production. What sets Vivace apart from regular-old microneedling is its integration of radiofrequency (RF) energy, delivered through the needles to deeper layers of the skin. This dual-action approach enhances the skin’s rejuvenation capabilities, leading to firmer, smoother, and more youthful-looking skin. Because it uses heat to heal as it precisely punctures, this also reduces your overall downtime.
What Vivace Ultra RF Microneedling Treats:
- Fine Lines and Wrinkles: micro-injuries and heat cause trauma in the skin leading to collagen production
- Skin Texture: increased cell turnover rate and collagen production smooths the skin surface
- Enlarged Pores: increases collagen and elastin in the skin helps reduce pore size
- Loose Skin: RF heats the deeper layers of the skin, promoting skin tightening and lifting effects, which can help combat sagging or loose skin.
- Hyperpigmentation: helps lighten dark spots and even out skin tone, although it may not be as targeted for pigmentation issues as IPL
- Acne and Acne Scars: remodeling of the skin softens scarring and produces more even tone and texture
Who is it Good For:
Literally EVERYONE!! We are all losing collagen after we reach age 20, so anyone with skin can benefit!
Procedure and Results:
A typical Vivace RF microneedling session begins with the application of a numbing cream to minimize discomfort. The treatment lasts about 45 minutes depending on the area being treated. Patients may feel a slight prickling sensation or warmth during the procedure.
After treatment, there may be mild redness and swelling, similar to a sunburn, which typically subsides within a couple hours. The skin feels tight within a few days as it heals, and avoiding the sun is really important during this time. Results are gradual from 6 weeks until about 6 months as collagen and elastin builds over time. Optimal results are achieved with a series of 3 treatments, spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
Cost: Approximately $750 per session
My Conclusion:
Remember that the expertise of your provider, the quality of the device used, and proper delivery of the treatment can significantly impact your outcome. If you have experienced some of these treatments in the past but haven’t seen good results, there’s a decent chance that either device was not one of the best in class or the procedure itself was not performed properly. There are several different devices on the market that claim to do similar things, which can be very confusing as a patient. Be sure to do your research ahead of time, and speak with people that have actually experienced it for themselves.
Choosing a practice with experienced professionals is crucial for a safe procedure with optimal results. There are specific quality controls, bureau of radiation guidelines, and laser certifications that have to be maintained in order to offer these types of treatments. If you aren’t sure whether your provider is qualified, you can always ask to see these documents and certifications. If they refuse to share them, or heaven forbid don’t know what you are talking about, run for the hills!
Deciding between IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatment and Vivace RF microneedling can be a transformative step in enhancing your skin’s health and appearance. Each approach harnesses advanced technology to address various skincare concerns, from pigmentation and texture to fine lines and overall rejuvenation. Delving into the distinctions between IPL and Vivace RF microneedling empowers you to make a well-informed decision tailored to your unique skincare goals. Whether you seek targeted pigment correction or comprehensive skin revitalization, understanding these treatments’ differences is key to selecting the ideal path towards achieving radiant, youthful skin.
And don’t forget, it’s Christmas in July here at DermaPrecision!
Santa dropped a gift for all of our lovely patients this month!! Until July 31st only, all services at DermaPrecision are 25% off! This offer makes either IPL or Vivace too good to pass up on!! We can’t wait to see you here in the office!
Until next time,
Christina
Always here to help you enhance your inner radiance
