At Lucienne Salon, Spa and Boutique, we understand that navigating the world of skin treatments can be overwhelming. Two of our most popular options—Sublative and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)—both deliver remarkable results but work in very different ways. If you’re trying to decide which treatment might be right for you, this comprehensive comparison will help you make an informed decision.
Understanding Sublative Treatment
Sublative treatment uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to deliver controlled heat deep into the skin. This approach works from the inside out, stimulating brand new collagen production while leaving the outer layer of your skin intact.
How Sublative Works
When the RF energy penetrates your skin, it creates thousands of microscopic zones of controlled damage beneath the surface. These tiny injuries trigger a healing response, promoting the production of all new collagen and elastin fibers. You’ll notice improved texture, firmness and an overall rejuvenated appearance.
The beauty of Sublative is its precision. The technology delivers energy through a matrix of electrodes, treating only a fraction of the skin at once while leaving surrounding tissue untouched. This accelerates results with minimal downtime.
Key Benefits of Sublative
Sublative treatment excels at addressing textural issues and is particularly effective for:
- Reducing facial scarring
- Minimizing fine lines and wrinkles
- Improving skin texture and tone
- Tightening loose or sagging skin
- Reducing the appearance of stretch marks
- Shrinking enlarged pores
One of Sublative’s most significant advantages is its suitability for all skin types. Because it relies on radiofrequency rather than light energy, it doesn’t target melanin, making it safe for darker skin tones that might be at risk for hyperpigmentation with other treatments.
What to Expect With Sublative
During a Sublative session, you’ll feel a warm, prickling as the device passes over your skin. Most clients describe the discomfort as mild and easily tolerable. A typical treatment takes about 30-45 minutes, depending on the area being addressed.
After treatment, your skin may appear red and feel warm, similar to a mild sunburn. This usually subsides within 24-48 hours. Some clients experience minor swelling and the formation of tiny crusts where the electrodes contacted the skin, which typically resolves within a week.
We recommend a series of 3-5 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart for optimal results. You’ll begin to notice improvements after your first session, with results continuing to develop over the following weeks as collagen production increases.
Understanding IPL Treatment
IPL therapy uses broad-spectrum light energy to target specific pigments in the skin. Unlike lasers that emit a single wavelength of light, IPL releases multiple wavelengths, making it versatile for treating various skin concerns simultaneously.
How IPL Works
During an IPL treatment, pulses of light penetrate the skin and are absorbed by melanin (in dark spots) or hemoglobin (in blood vessels). The light energy converts to heat, destroying the pigmented cells or constricting the blood vessels. Your body then naturally processes and eliminates these damaged cells, revealing clearer, more evenly toned skin.
The technology behind IPL allows for customization based on your specific concerns. Different filters can target various depths and structures within the skin, making it adaptable to your unique needs.
Key Benefits of IPL
IPL treatments are exceptional for addressing pigmentation issues and vascular concerns:
- Fading sun spots and age spots
- Reducing redness and rosacea
- Diminishing visible blood vessels and broken capillaries
- Evening out skin tone
- Improving overall skin radiance
- Treating certain types of acne
- Reducing unwanted hair growth
What to Expect With IPL
During an IPL session, you’ll feel a sensation similar to a rubber band snap against your skin as each pulse of light is delivered. Most clients find this temporary discomfort quite manageable, and we ensure your comfort throughout the treatment.
A typical IPL session lasts 20-30 minutes. After the treatment, your skin may appear slightly red, and sun spots or pigmented areas might darken temporarily before flaking off in the days following treatment. This darkening is a positive sign that the treatment is working effectively.
For best results, we typically recommend 3-5 IPL sessions spaced 3-4 weeks apart. Many clients notice visible improvements after their first treatment, with continued enhancement as the series progresses.
Sublative vs. IPL: Key Differences
Treatment Focus
Sublative: Primarily addresses textural concerns and stimulates collagen production for overall skin rejuvenation. It works best for issues like acne scarring, fine lines, wrinkles and skin laxity.
IPL: Excels at targeting pigmentation and vascular issues. It’s the preferred choice for sun damage, age spots, redness, visible blood vessels and certain types of discoloration.
Skin Type Suitability
Sublative: Safe for all skin types, including darker skin tones that might be at risk for hyperpigmentation with light-based treatments.
IPL: Works best on fair to medium skin tones. It’s not typically recommended for very dark skin, as the melanin could absorb too much light energy, potentially causing burns or pigmentation changes.
Downtime and Recovery
Sublative: Slightly more downtime than IPL, with redness lasting 24-48 hours and possible micro-crusting that resolves within a week. However, this is still considered minimal compared to more aggressive treatments like ablative lasers.
IPL: Minimal downtime, with possible redness lasting a few hours to a day. Pigmented areas may darken before flaking off over the following week, but this doesn’t typically interfere with daily activities.
Pain Level
Sublative: Most clients describe the sensation as a warm, prickling feeling that’s easily tolerable. Topical numbing cream can be applied before treatment for additional comfort.
IPL: Often described as a rubber band snap against the skin with each pulse. Discomfort is brief and well-tolerated by most clients.
Long-term Results
Sublative: Results continue to improve over time as collagen production increases. The collagen-building effects can provide longer-lasting skin improvements, particularly for textural concerns.
IPL: Results for pigmentation issues can be quite dramatic and long-lasting, especially when combined with proper sun protection. However, new sun damage can create new pigmentation over time.
Which Treatment Is Right for You?
The best treatment choice depends on your primary skin concerns, skin type and desired outcomes. Here’s a simple guide:
Consider Sublative if:
- Your main concerns are textural issues like acne scarring or fine lines
- You want to address skin laxity or sagging
- You have darker skin that might not be suitable for IPL
- You’re seeking significant collagen stimulation for overall skin rejuvenation
Consider IPL if:
- Your primary concerns are pigmentation issues or redness
- You want to target visible blood vessels or broken capillaries
- You have fair to medium skin
- You’re looking for a treatment with virtually no downtime
- You want to address sun damage and uneven skin tone
Many clients benefit from combining both treatments, either alternating them or targeting different concerns with each. For example, you might first use IPL to address pigmentation issues, then follow with Sublative to improve texture and stimulate collagen.
The Combined Approach: Best of Both Worlds
For comprehensive skin rejuvenation, many of our clients at Lucienne Salon, Spa and Boutique opt for a customized treatment plan that incorporates both Sublative and IPL. This combination approach allows us to address multiple skin concerns simultaneously, providing more dramatic and well-rounded results.
A typical combined protocol might involve alternating treatments, starting with IPL to clear pigmentation and followed by Sublative to improve texture and stimulate collagen. Our skilled practitioners will create a personalized treatment schedule based on your specific needs and goals.
Ready to Transform Your Skin?
At Lucienne Salon, Spa and Boutique, our expert practitioners will guide you through the decision-making process, helping you choose the treatment—or combination of treatments—that will best address your specific concerns. Schedule a personalized consultation where we can evaluate your skin, discuss your goals and create a treatment plan tailored just for you.
Experience the transformative results of Sublative and IPL treatments at Lucienne. Contact us today at (801) 280-9990 or book online to take the first step toward more radiant, youthful skin.