BBL FAQ
BBL (BroadBand Light) is a non-invasive intense pulsed light treatment that uses light energy to target and treat various skin concerns, including age spots, sun damage, redness, acne, and even fine lines (with regular treatments). BBL is known for its versatility, safety across different skin types, and minimal downtime
BBL deposits pulses of light energy that gently heats the upper layers of skin. Within the skin, the light energy is absorbed by targets, such as fine, broken vessels that cause redness and brown spots or pigmented lesions that are caused by an overproduction of melanin. This scientific and biological process destroys the target, eliminating it from the skin and restoring it to its natural beauty, blending its natural tones, making it more vibrant and youthful in appearance and touch.
- Pigmented Lesions (e.g., freckles, age spots, melasma)
- Vascular Lesions (e.g., small blood vessels, rosacea and other micro-capillary flushing conditions)
- Skin laxity and uneven skin texture, especially with regular maintenance treatments every 3-6 months.
Any area of your body can be treated. The most popular treatments are on the face, neck, back of the hands, chest and shoulders.
The number of treatments needed varies from patient to patient and your clinician will personalize a treatment plan based on your skin. Most patients will need 2-3 treatments for full improvement. Maintenance treatments, for example every Fall/Winter, are often advised to maintain results. Also, data shows that the aging process of the skin can be significantly delayed through regularly spaced BBL every 3-6 months.
Your eyes will be protected with safety shields or glasses. You may briefly feel a hot or “rubber band snap” sensation as the light is absorbed by the targeted areas. Your procedure may take a few minutes to a half an hour depending on the size of the area to be treated and the type of procedure performed.
Most patients elect to have topical numbing applied in the office 30 minutes prior to the procedure. With topical numbing, pain is tolerable, 5-6/10.
A sunburn like reaction with redness and/or swelling is expected. This usually lasts 2-3 days but can persist 7-plus days. Any preexisting brown lesions may initially look raised and/or darker with a reddened perimeter. (Pigmented areas usually continue to improve over the several weeks after treatment). Scaling and fine crusting (“coffee grounding”) of the treated area is expected and usually resolves within 5-7 days. Do NOT pick any peeling or crusted areas, as this can contribute to pigment change, scarring and infection.
Most patients elect to have topical numbing applied in the office 30 minutes prior to the procedure. With topical numbing, pain is tolerable, 5-6/10.
A sunburn like reaction with redness and/or swelling is expected. This usually lasts 2-3 days but can persist 7-plus days. Any preexisting brown lesions may initially look raised and/or darker with a reddened perimeter. (Pigmented areas usually continue to improve over the several weeks after treatment). Scaling and fine crusting (“coffee grounding”) of the treated area is expected and usually resolves within 5-7 days. Do NOT pick any peeling or crusted areas, as this can contribute to pigment change, scarring and infection.