BBL^® Treatment (Broadband Light^® Therapy)

BBL® treatments can lead to short term redness, swelling or bruising, and may cause discomfort during the treatment. Other risks include:

Pigment changes—the skin around the treated area may become darker or lighter, which is usually temporary but, on rare occasions, may be permanent. Freckles and sun spots may also turn slightly darker before flaking off.

Burning or blistering on treated areas.

There is the possibility of infection due to the skin surface being disrupted. Proper care is essential in preventing this. Scarring is also a rare occurrence due to skin disruption.

Risk of damage to eyes due to exposure to broadband light—protective eyewear should be provided to prevent this.

A BBL® treatment produces rapid pulses of light energy that interact with skin cells. As light energy passes through the filter and into the skin, it's absorbed by the targeted skin cells and converted to heat that and breaks apart pockets of pigment, while simultaneously supporting the skin cell renewal process. This process then translates to visibly clearer, brighter skin. Because Broadband Light® therapy uses different filters to target specific skin cells, it can be customised to your specific skin concerns.

The majority of professional skin treatments rely in part on activating the skin's natural renewal process, so results and longevity of results after a BBL® treatment depends on your individual response. While Broadband Light® therapy does permanently destroy old collagen and abnormal pigmentation deposits, it can't stop skin from producing new pigment cells, nor halt the natural progression of ageing in the skin. Results can, however, be prolonged with the right skincare routine and balanced lifestyle choices. Advice may differ depending on your skin type and treatment provider, but the general recommendation is around 2-3 treatments.

The down time after a BBL® treatment varies based on light intensity and the area treated. More intense treatments, or treatments on sensitive areas (such as around the eyes), may produce swelling for a day or two, while a more standard Broadband Light® therapy may leave skin pink with a hot sensation for just a few hours post-treatment. This can be alleviated by using a cold compress or ice pack. In most cases, redness is generally minor and can be concealed by makeup.

Many patients report visible changes in the skin, such as brightness and minimise pore appearance, just a few days after BBL® treatment. Blemishes, fine lines, and wrinkles start to visibly fade after a couple weeks, but results will take around 4 months to fully appear. It's good to note that targeted pigment may initially appear darker post treatment, but this will naturally slough off the skin around 14 days after treatment.

Yes! Broadband Light® therapy promotes new collagen and elastin production by activating the skin's natural renewal process.

BBL® therapy promotes collagen contraction and new collagen production, which produces a skin tightening effect that can in turn improve the appearance of fine wrinkles and crepey skin. These effects generally take two to four months to develop, depending on the treated area.

IPL devices employ a single flashlamp, where BBL® therapy uses broad spectrum energy from two flashlamps simultaneously. The handpiece used also contains a cooling plate to counteract the heat generated and minimise risk of thermal injury to the surface of skin.

Both BBL® treatment and IPL use a device that sends a broad spectrum of pulsed lights to targeted layers of skin. IPL, however, only uses a single light source, while Broadband Light® therapy delivers light energy through two flashlamps and a handpiece with a cooling plate to keep the surface skin at an even temperature. This means BBL® has the potential to deliver higher levels of energy and heat, which can translate to greater results from fewer BBL® treatments. Some cases, however, IPL treatment may be more suitable, which is why you should consult with an experienced practitioner to determine which is best for you.

*Always consult your physician before undergoing this procedure.