Acne, sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles are just some of the things you see on the surface of your skin. You may have tried many ways of improving or eliminating these things: moisturizers, masks, cleansers, perhaps even a professional facial. You may have heard of BroadBand Light Therapy (BBL), but you aren’t sure what it is or if it will work for you. Here are some things you should know about the treatment before you undergo it.
What is BBL?
BroadBand Light Therapy is a form of IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) therapy. You may have heard it referred to as the photo facial. It is a cutting edge technology that uses light to create younger looking, firmer skin with a more even tone and texture. It’s an FDA-approved way to treat sun damage, pigmented and vascular lesions, and used for anti-aging and skin rejuvenation.
BBL uses light energy to heat the top layers of your skin. That heat is absorbed by the targeted skin, and stimulates the area to produce more collagen. This process restores your skin to a more natural state, blending its natural colors and giving you smoother, younger looking and vibrant skin.
The machine is equipped with cooling technologies that keep the heat from being too intense while still being effective. If you find it uncomfortable, a numbing cream can be administered to you before treatment, but most people don’t find it necessarry.
Treatment is recommended two to four times per year for optimal results.
Is there a certain age to undergo BBL?
Older clients with more visible damage are more likely to see the most visible results. However, there is no specific age at which to undergo treatment. Because this treatment is tailored to your particular skin type, it can improve whatever skin concerns you may have, regardless of your age.
BBL can have an immediate effect on your appearance and can have a beneficial effect on your skin’s aging for years in the future. Therefore, it can be used both to improve skin’s current appearance and prevent future damage.
Is BBL a preventive treatment?
BBL can be used to improve your skin’s current appearance, as well as to prevent future damage and signs of aging. Even if you feel your skin is already in great shape, you may be able to benefit from BBL treatments. Regular treatments can help stop sun damage, environmental damage, and other signs of aging and skin problems before they begin taking their toll on your skin.
Does BBL have any benefits beyond the aesthetic?
The majority of BBL’s benefits are aesthetic in nature: eliminating freckles, sunspots, age spots and other sun damage, resolving persistent redness or rosacea, acne, or minor burns, and eliminating coarse hair growth or facial veins.
Compared to other potential treatments for the same skin concerns, however, BBL does have a few benefits:
It’s fast, with treatment lasting only about 30 minutes. There’s no downtime after treatment, either, so you can immediately get back to your day.
Your discomfort will be minimal. It’s a noninvasive treatment and the heat is not enough to cause pain. You’ll need eye protection to protect your eyes, but other than that, you should only feel the warmth and some mildly sharper sensations. If it’s needed, numbing creams are available, but most people don’t need them.
Healing time is quick – you may notice some superficial redness for a few hours after treatment, and some darker pigmentation may darken more briefly, but these things will resolve quickly and your skin will soon start looking smoother and younger.
Are there any drawbacks to BBL?
Side effects and drawbacks tend to be mild, and their occurrence is rare. As previously mentioned, there may be some redness for a few hours to a day or two after treatment. Some darker pigmentation may temporarily darken or lose pigment, though this typically only happens on darker skin and if the treatment is too intense. Scarring is possible, though rare, as is infection. There may be some patterning (if areas were skipped), but this will resolve within a few days. Men may notice a temporary loss of dark hair from the treatment area, but it usually returns within two to three months after treatment.
What’s the recovery time from BBL?
There is no downtime after BBL. As soon as you finish your treatment, you can immediately return to work, errands, or whatever your normal routine is. You’ll be given instructions to use skincare products, such as moisturizer, on your skin after treatment, and to avoid the sun, but it should not interfere with your life in any drastic way.
Is BBL worth it?
Studies have shown that BBL has an effect on the expression of aging genes in the body. This means that it has a proven, lasting effect.
This indicates that it’s an effective, proven treatment. Individuals must consider their budget, as well as whether they want to continue to take proper care of their skin after treatment, in determining whether it’s worth it to undergo BBL treatments. While treatment is recommended two to four times per year for the best results, even a single treatment can make a difference.
BroadBand Light Therapy is one of many treatment options for those who have concerns about the appearance of their skin. If you feel that what you’re currently doing isn’t working, or you’re ready to try something more drastic, BBL may be right for you.