Laser Skin Resurfacing vs. Photofacials: Choosing the Best Option for Your Skin

Laser and light-based treatments are a fantastic option for rejuvenating your skin and improving the appearance of specific concerns like aging, sun damage and pigmentation. But with so many devices available, it can be hard to know which one is right for you.

Fortunately, SMooth Solutions Medspa in Naperville is your go-to for all things laser. Our expert team has handpicked a number of devices to offer you the best solutions for your skincare needs. If you’re curious about the difference between two of our most popular treatment options, laser skin resurfacing and photofacials, and how they can help you achieve a beautiful, glowing complexion, keep reading to learn more.

What Is Laser Skin Resurfacing?

Laser skin resurfacing is a staple in the skincare industry, and for good reason. Lasers are some of the most versatile tools used in aesthetic medicine, with the ability to address a wide range of skin concerns, from fine lines and wrinkles to acne and rosacea. As technology continues to evolve, laser treatments have become safer and more effective for anyone looking to rejuvenate their appearance without surgery or extensive downtime.

SMooth Solutions Medspa offers a variety of laser resurfacing treatments to give you brighter, healthier and more beautiful skin. Here’s what you need to know:

  • How It Works: Laser resurfacing treatments target different depths of your skin to address cosmetic concerns like aging or sun damage. They work by removing imperfections on the surface of your skin or heating up the deeper layers to promote collagen production. Some devices, like Halo, utilize two wavelengths simultaneously for comprehensive results.
  • What It Treats: Laser resurfacing is effective for a number of common skin concerns, including wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, sun damage, uneven skin tone, melasma, texture irregularities and much more. Our expert team will review your needs and goals during an initial consultation to recommend the best device for your skin.
  • Recovery Time: Laser skin resurfacing has a low recovery time. Depending on the specific device used and the intensity of your treatment, it may involve little to no downtime (one to two days, max) or between four to seven days of social downtime.
  • Treatment Options: At SMooth Solutions Medspa, we’ve carefully reviewed and selected the best laser devices for our clients. We offer laser skin resurfacing with Halo, the world’s first hybrid fractional device that delivers two wavelengths in a single treatment, and the LaseMD Ultra, an advanced low-downtime laser that uses a gentle yet powerful non-ablative Thulium wavelength for visible, long-lasting results.

What Is a Photofacial?

Photofacial treatments use BroadBand light (BBL) or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) to target sun damage, improve the signs of aging, reduce redness and rejuvenate your skin’s overall appearance with little to no downtime. While IPL was once considered the gold standard in photofacials, BBL has surpassed it in terms of versatility, effectiveness and popularity. This advanced photofacial can correct brown and red discolorations and even delay the aging process by “resetting” the genetic expression of your skin cells to a more youthful state.

SMooth Solutions Medspa offers the BBL Hero Photofacial to help you achieve a clearer, smoother and more youthful complexion. Here’s what you need to know:

  • How It Works: BBL Hero directs pulses of BroadBand Light through the upper layer of your skin, painlessly targeting pigmented or vascular lesions just below the surface. The lesions absorb the wavelength of light and are destroyed, causing them to fade. At the same time, BBL stimulates collagen production and alters the gene expression of your skin cells, leaving you with a brighter, clearer and rejuvenated appearance.
  • What It Treats: BBL Hero can treat a wide range of concerns, such as freckles, age spots, sun damage, rosacea, vascular lesions, fine lines, skin laxity and dullness. While most often used on the face, BBL can treat any area of the body.
  • Recovery Time: BBL Hero involves little to no downtime. After your treatment, you may notice some redness and tenderness in treated areas, similar to a mild sunburn, but you’ll be able to resume normal activities. Avoid excessive sun exposure.
  • Treatment Options: We prefer BBL Hero over IPL for photofacial treatments. While both can treat a number of concerns and reduce the signs of aging, BBL does so in fewer treatments. The device also features a sapphire tip on the end of the applicator to keep the skin cool, making it one of the most comfortable options available.

When to Choose Laser Skin Resurfacing

When it comes to improving your skin, the choices can be overwhelming. But if you’re dealing with moderate wrinkles, acne scars or skin laxity, laser resurfacing could be the answer you’ve been looking for. Think of it as a high-powered solution for your skin’s toughest problems.

Laser resurfacing is more than just a quick fix. It’s for when you need something stronger to handle those deeper issues that creams and serums just can’t touch. These procedures work below the surface of the skin to target the concerns that bother you most. Laser resurfacing is especially great for those who have tried other treatments without noticeable results.

During your initial consultation, our experienced team will evaluate your needs and recommend the best laser resurfacing treatment to achieve your goals. Both of the devices that we offer, Halo and the LaseMD Ultra, are safe for all skin types and can be used almost anywhere on the body, including the face, neck, chest, hands and shoulders.

When to Choose the BBL Hero Photofacial

If your skin needs a gentler touch, especially for those top-layer issues like minor blemishes or uneven pigmentation, the BBL Hero Photofacial is a great option. It’s a kinder way to rejuvenate your skin without the intensity or downtime of more invasive procedures.

BBL Hero is perfect as a standalone option for those who are new to light-based treatments or just looking to give their skin a quick refresh. It’s also suitable for younger clients who are looking for a “prejuvenation” treatment to slow the signs of aging. It can effectively reduce the appearance of pigmented and vascular lesions to leave you with a brighter, clearer complexion.

However, you can achieve even more noticeable results by combining your photofacial with Halo or LaseMD Ultra. Laser resurfacing treatments help speed up the “purging” process of BBL and work together with photofacials to target both the outer and deeper layers of your skin.

When to Choose Both

Sometimes, your skin needs the best of both worlds. If you can’t decide which treatment might be best for you, or you want the most comprehensive results possible, our team may recommend combining laser skin resurfacing with a photofacial to help you achieve your goals.

At SMooth Solutions Medspa, BBL Hero and Halo are among our most popular treatment combinations. This dynamic duo can tackle a wide range of concerns and help you achieve lasting, noticeable improvements in your skin’s overall tone, texture and appearance. LaseMD Ultra also pairs well with the BBL Hero Photofacial, RF microneedling and other skincare procedures, helping to maximize the benefits you receive in one treatment session.

However, you don’t have to worry about finding the best treatment combination for your skin on your own. During your initial consultation, our expert team will evaluate your needs, goals and concerns to craft a personalized treatment that helps you look your best.

Rejuvenate Your Skin at SMooth Solutions Medspa Today!

SMooth Solutions Medpa is your go-to destination for all your skincare-related needs. Located just outside of Chicago in Naperville, Illinois, our goal is to offer you the best results with the devices that are most suitable for your skin. To learn more about our laser and light-based treatments, book a complimentary consultation with one of our experts today to explore your options. Together, we can develop a treatment plan that’s tailored to your exact needs.

We also invite you to try our free virtual consultation tool. This self-guided questionnaire allows you to select your areas of concern and receive personalized recommendations right in your inbox.