Laser vs IPL for Skin Pigmentation

Two of the most popular clinical treatments for improving the overall appearance of your skin are IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and Fractional Laser. However, with so many clinical devices, you might wonder what’s the best option for skin concerns like blotchy patches of pigment, dark spots, melasma or an uneven skin tone.

Sometimes it helps to understand how these two devices work in different ways to treat your skin. Let’s take a closer look at both, clear up any common misconceptions, and show you which device is best for tackling skin pigmentation—and which one excels at improving scarring, fine lines, wrinkles, and overall skin texture.

The Technology Behind IPL and Fractional Laser

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) 

IPL uses broad-spectrum light to target pigmentation and redness at varying depths in the skin. Traditionally classified as non-ablative, IPL doesn’t remove the top layer of skin; instead, it breaks up unwanted pigment for your body to clear. However, higher-intensity IPL can cause temporary peeling or crusting. 

Fractional Laser Resurfacing (ResurFX™) 

Delivers a single wavelength of fractional laser energy in tiny micro-columns beneath the surface, stimulating collagen production without fully ablating or breaking the skin. ResurFX™ often works best to improve texture, mild scarring, and fine lines while addressing some pigmentation concerns.

IPL is typically chosen for hyperpigmentation, dark spots and redness, whereas ResurFX™ is favoured for skin texture, laxity, accelerated signs of ageing and mild scarring.

When it comes to tackling skin pigmentation, it helps to understand the causes and how each condition will vary in how best to treat it.

What Are the Signs, Symptoms, and Causes of Pigmentation?

While pigment below the surface of your skin can go unnoticed for years, it can suddenly feel like patches of pigment appear overnight—and let’s be honest, that can be a bit worrying. The reality is that pigmentation can have multiple causes, though sun exposure is usually the biggest culprit, and as we age, these once-hidden pigments become more noticeable.

Sun-Induced Pigmentation

Even with diligent sun protection, a lifetime of UV exposure can result in dark spots, brown patches, or an uneven skin tone—often seen on the face, neck, chest, hands, and arms.

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)

PIH arises from skin trauma, such as acne, scarring, or aggressive treatments (e.g. deep chemical peels). Dark marks remain after the initial wound or inflammation has resolved.

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal fluctuations—like those during pregnancy or perimenopause—can bring about melasma, which appears as symmetrical dark patches on the face. In some cases, heat-based treatments (IPL or laser) may worsen melasma, so gentler approaches or specialised protocols are often recommended.

Genetics and Ethnicity

Your skin tone and genetic predispositions can influence how and where pigmentation develops. Darker skin types may be prone to melasma or post-inflammatory darkening, while lighter skin tends to develop sun-induced freckles or age spots.

Often, skin pigmentation goes hand in hand with other signs of sun damage—such as uneven skin texture, redness, visible signs of skin ageing, or a dull complexion. This is where one device may be preferred over the other—or even a combination of both—ensuring your treatment is tailored to your unique concerns.

At Select Skin, the first place to start is a skin consultation. During your consultation, we’ll identify the type of pigmentation and the best skincare treatments and solutions to address your unique needs, whether that’s our Lumenis M22 IPL or our newly acquired ResurFX™ Fractional Laser.

What Is IPL, and How Does It Treat Skin Pigmentation?

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is well known for successfully treating superficial pigmentation, redness, and sun damage. It emits pulses of broad-spectrum light that selectively target melanin (pigment) and haemoglobin (redness), causing those molecules to break apart.

How It Works

IPL directs controlled bursts of light into the skin; pigment (melanin) absorbs that light and heats up, resulting in the pigment breaking into fragments and being reabsorbed by the body. Over time, your body naturally clears these fragments away, leading to a brighter, more even complexion.

Why IPL for Pigmentation?

• It’s an effective solution for surface hyperpigmentation and is ideal for age spots, sun-induced freckles, and diffuse redness.
• Quick sessions with minimal downtime, typically 1–2 days of mild redness or darkening of spots before they slough off.
• Versatile as it addresses multiple concerns such as freckles, sun spots, redness, and sometimes acne.

What to Expect from Your IPL Treatment

• Before & During: We cleanse your skin, apply a cooling gel, and give you protective eyewear. You’ll feel a brief snapping sensation as the IPL handpiece passes over each area.
• After: Mild redness and a warming sensation are common. Pigmented spots may darken over the next week before flaking away.
• Results: Generally, after 1–5 sessions, you’ll see a noticeable improvement in pigmentation and skin tone.

What Is ResurFX™ Fractional Laser and How Does It Work?

ResurFX™ is a non-ablative fractional laser designed to treat deeper skin layers. It creates microscopic columns of heat beneath the surface, sparing much of the top layer, which minimizes downtime and speeds up healing. This process stimulates collagen and encourages gradual improvements in skin texture, fine lines, mild pigmentation and acne scarring. 

How It Differs from IPL

• Fractional and non-ablative doesn’t peel or remove the epidermis. Instead, it creates thermal micro-injuries that trigger a healing response.
• It provides overall improvements to skin texture and other signs of sun damage; while it can address mild pigment issues, it’s primarily aimed at refining the skin’s surface, helping with acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles and mild laxity.

Why ResurFX™?

• Provides a collagen boost to help smooth out acne scarring and stretch marks and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Minimal downtime with mild redness or swelling lasts a few days, but most people find it quite manageable.
• Cumulative and gradual Improvements with multiple sessions lead to continued enhancements in texture and tone.

What to Expect from Your ResurFX™ Fractional Laser Treatment

• During: Sessions last 30–45 minutes. A topical anaesthetic may be applied for comfort. You’ll feel a slight warming or prickling sensation.
• After: Expect mild redness or puffiness for a day or two—much less than an ablative laser.
• Results: Noticeable improvements in skin texture and tone are revealed over several weeks, often requiring a series of treatments.

Which Treatment Is Right for You?

If Your First Concern is Tackle the Visible Signs of Hyperpigmentation

Choose IPL 

• Targets sunspots, freckles, and surface redness
• Offers a relatively quick path to clear, visibly brighter skin
• Minimal downtime, though darker spots may briefly crust before flaking off

If You’re More Concerned About Texture, Tone, Fine Lines, Wrinkles and Scarring

Choose ResurFX™ 

• Focuses on skin texture, mild laxity, acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles
• Stimulates collagen for overall skin rejuvenation
• Mild redness or swelling, but easy to fit into a busy schedule with minimal downtime

Why We Trust and Recommend Lumenis M22 IPL and ResurFX™

At Select Skin, we tailor our treatments to your needs. Lumenis M22 IPL effectively tackles hyperpigmentation and redness with minimal recovery time. ResurFX™ excels at refining skin texture, tone, mild scarring, fine lines and wrinkles with minimal downtime. 

Rest assured, we’ll work with you to decide if you should opt for one treatment, both, or a custom combination for the best possible results.

Note on Melasma: If you have melasma, a consultation is crucial, as heat-based treatments (like IPL or laser) can exacerbate it. We’ll help you explore gentler, targeted options first.

Ready to Take the Next Steps for Healthy, Radiant and Glowing Skin?

If you’re ready to take the next step towards a visibly brighter, more even, and smoother complexion, we’re here to help. Book a consultation, and we’ll design a personalised Lumenis M22 IPL or ResurFX™ (or both!) treatment plan tailored to your skin concerns.

At Select Skin, it’s important to us that we guide and help you achieve a healthier-looking, visibly brighter appearance—because everyone deserves to feel confident in their own skin.

See you soon,

Mel x