Issues involving cosmetic corrective surgical procedures are complicated enough, but when the topic turns to lasers, IPL or RF, what is the difference?
Perhaps the best way to start making sense of cosmetic resurfacing procedures is to describe the kind of resurfacing methods being used, how they work, and then explain what machines are employed to perform those tasks.

When it comes to lasers, IPL, or radio frequency resurfacing machines, they function as either ablative or non-ablative modalities. Non-ablative treatments target the lower layers of skin (dermis), while leaving the skin’s surface (epidermis) unharmed and intact. Ablative laser resurfacing targets both the surface and the lower layers of skin by injuring or “ablating” the surface of skin. Lasers can perform either ablative or non-ablative resurfacing, while IPL and radio frequency resurfacing are considered non-ablative methods. Which system you choose depends on the results you are looking for and how much risk you are willing to take.

Ablative resurfacing:

It can make a significant difference in the appearance of deep wrinkles, surface wrinkles, and skin discolorations. But there are serious risks and complications that can occur with ablative resurfacing. These include swelling, scabbing, oozing, bleeding, flaking, redness, and irritation, and there is also a risk of longer-term skin discoloration and scarring.

Non-ablative resurfacing:

This treatment has none of the side effects associated with ablative resurfacing. However, non-ablative resurfacing doesn’t produce the same dramatic or impressive results as ablative resurfacing does. Not only are the results subtle, but multiple treatments are required for any kind of noticeable outcome. The advantage for non-ablative resurfacing is its minimal downtime; women can reapply makeup before leaving the doctor’s office and return to work the same day.

Intense Pulse Light (IPL):

A “light” modality that uses high intensity pulses of light that are not lasers and are considered to be exclusively non-ablative. Though similar to lasers in many ways, the IPL’s beam of light is limited to the depth of resurfacing it can produce. This technique is not meant for those with extensive sun damage and skin discolorations but it can reduce surfaced capillaries or veins, port wine marks, hemangiomas, brown spots, as well as tighten the skin to some degree. The number of side effects is minor, but it can take several treatments to see any results.

Radio frequency (RF):

RF resurfacing is neither a laser nor IPL. Rather, it is a form of electromagnetic energy very similar to microwaves. It is considered a non-ablative resurfacing treatment. The RF treatment passes radio frequency electricity through the skin to heat up tissue. This is supposed to make the tissue contract and, as is true with any injury to skin, it begins making collagen. Again, the number of side effects is minor, but as this is a non-invasive treatment it may take serveral treatments to see any results, but as the collagen starts to renew itself, there is supposedly more improvement after a few months.