It’s true. A fantastic technology exists today that allows us to reverse the signs of aging using the power of light. It’s called Broad Band Light (BBL)Therapy, and it uses a form of intense pulsed light (IPL) to treat skin issues such as age spots, hyper-pigmentation, sun damage, and skin discoloration.
Over the years, many of my patients have asked questions about “laser therapy” often because they were considering “laser skin” treatments and had concerns, and in many cases well-founded. BBL, however, is not “laser therapy”, and as my patients know, I would never treat a patient with a technique or technology that I did not have experience or full confidence in. BBL uses “light” not lasers, in a broad spectrum of wavelengths— in short bursts which absorb certain shades of pigment (reds and browns).
After careful consideration, for my practice, I have chosen the Forever Young BBL platform from Sciton because it is extremely effective— and yes, I have had numerous treatments myself.
BBL can address some of the types of skin discoloration that somewhat universally age us most. In my practice, we use BBL for patients seeking to address concerns with brown spots AKA “age spots,” freckles, redness, rosacea, vascular lesions, broken capillaries and more. How does BBL work? It’s not exactly like the “tricorder” in Star Trek; however, BBL treatments do use some rather impressive technology to produce extremely desirable results. The light energy generated by the BBL therapy heats the upper layers of the skin. The absorbed heat prompts the skin to generate new collagen– the protein responsible for giving skin its firmness, plumpness, and elasticity. The treatment also helps to blend the natural colors of the skin, making it appear smoother and more youthful-looking. The photothermal energy can also be used to target areas containing unwanted melanin (i.e., age spots, freckles, dark spots) or visible redness (i.e., blood vessels).
BBL is safe and effective for lighter skin tones. Because it targets dark pigments, it is not appropriate for all skin types. BBL is most commonly used on the face, neck, chest, and hands, but it can be used anywhere on the body.
What you can expect during a BBL treatment
First, you’ll be given an eye mask to protect your eyes from the light pulses. Next, a cooling, anesthetic gel will be applied to your skin before treatment. You may experience a slight stinging as the smooth surface of the hand piece passes over your skin. Patients describe this as similar to the snapping of a rubber band on the skin, and most people tolerate it very well. The treated area may appear red or flushed for a few hours after your treatment, but you shouldn’t need any downtime.
Depending on your individual needs, you may require 3 to 6 BBL treatments placed 3 to 4 weeks apart to achieve optimal results. At my office we send our BBL patients home with SkinCeuticals skin care products that help the skin look it’s best after treatments. If you had dark areas of pigment treated, they may darken even more initially and then flake off or merely fade away over the course of a week or so. Be sure to use sunscreen after your treatment, as BBL (as well as other light-based therapies) will make your skin even more susceptible to UV radiation.
Results from BBL can be amplified when used in combination with other non-surgical skin care treatments, or elevate the overall outcome from plastic surgery procedures such as a facelift—as BBL can address both skin tone and texture issues that surgery alone can’t correct.
If you are wondering if BBL is right for you, or what the results of this fantastic, non-invasive photo- rejuvenation technique look like, take a moment to have a look at the BBL before and after photos in my gallery. So, if you are a Star Trek fan, or just someone who is concerned about sun damage or who has other pigmentation complaints, your day has arrived. We can help your skin look more youthful and vibrant using a handheld device that delivers nothing more than pulses of light. If you have concerns about the effect that photo-ageing has had on your skin (face, hands and elsewhere) please feel free to contact my office to learn more about light based therapy, and to see if it’s right for your individual needs.
Categorized in: Surgical Procedures