One of the most common questions we’re asked at Artisan is “what’s the difference between laser and light-based treatments?”. While they both treat similar conditions including pigmentation, redness and the first signs of ageing, they work in different ways. Here’s the lowdown:
Laser 
We offer a number of laser treatments at Artisan.
Clear & Brilliant® and Fraxel® are fractionated lasers. They work to penetrate the top layers of your skin a fraction at a time via hundreds of thousands of microscopic columns. This repairs, resurfaces and remodels your skin, stimulating collagen and reducing the signs of ageing for overall rejuvenation.
Laser Genesis™ works by gently heating the upper layer of your skin through distributing laser energy over thousands of micro pulses. This stimulates collagen to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Additional heat is generated in dilated capillaries to reduce redness and treat skin conditions such as rosacea.
Finally, our Laser Vein treatment uses the Excel V laser. This is a powerful laser for treating vascular skin conditions and pigmentation, including spider veins, rosacea, stretch marks, and scarring. It works by using a high-powered laser to target red, blue, purple and brown skin lesions.
Light
Intense pulsed light (IPL) works similarly to that of lasers. The main difference is that IPL delivers many wavelengths in each pulse of light instead of just one. The treatment targets the lower layers of the skin without affecting the top layers to stimulate collagen production.
IPL can treat a variety of skin concerns, including pigmentation, sun damage, unwanted hair, spider veins and leg veins.
Finally, we have LED light therapy. Unlike IPL and lasers that rely on thermal injury to prompt the skin to repair itself, light therapy delivers light emitting diodes (LED), which do not produce any heat. LED is a non-invasive light therapy treatment that emits wavelengths of light energy into your skin to speed up your body’s natural healing process and reduce inflammation. This 20-minute painless and highly relaxing treatment is not only cost effective but gives amazing results when consistently used. It is safe and most skin types are suitable to have the treatment.
Depending on the coloured light used LED can be effective for treating: acne, scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, dull skin, uneven texture and tone, dehydrated skin.