Innovations and new technologies fill up the skincare world. Though topical skincare has always been the go-to of many, they sometimes just don’t do the job and only target the skin’s upper layers. To counter this, treatment procedures like BroadBand Light Therapy have been popular these days.
BroadBand Light Therapy or BBL is a non-invasive, non-ablative laser treatment that uses pulsing light energy to penetrate deep into the skin’s layer. This promotes cell regeneration and boosts collagen production, resulting in healthier, smoother, and youthful skin.
There are an array of skincare treatments currently available. And though one procedure works wonders for one patient, it doesn’t mean the exact same results for another. This is why proper research is essential when looking for ways to improve overall skin health.
Below, we will dive deep into everything about BroadBand Light Therapy, how it works, and what you can expect. Hopefully, this helps you make an informed decision.
What is BroadBand Light Therapy and How Does It Work?
As we age and develop sun damage due to prolonged exposure, our skin is prone to developing spots and pigmentation. Though this is completely natural and should be normalized as we age, some can’t help but feel conscious about it.
There are, of course, topical creams and other skincare products formulated to address these concerns but sometimes, we need something better.
This is where treatments and procedures like BroadBand Light Therapy come into play.
BroadBand Light Therapy, or BBL, is a non-invasive laser treatment that treats several skin concerns and improves the skin’s overall condition and texture.
BBL treatments use an intense pulsing light energy that penetrates and gets into the skin’s deepest layers which topical skincare products typically can’t do.
Going into the skin’s deeper layers, it enhances cell regeneration and promotes collagen production within skin cells. Collagen is what gives the skin structure. It’s also what gives skin elasticity for that plump and youthful look. This boosts the skin’s healing and turnover abilities.
These light rays reduce the appearance of brown spots and hyperpigmentation and fight off signs of aging. They can also target fine and small blood vessels that cause redness on the skin.
A BBL treatment leaves skin smoother, more even, and with a much more youthful appearance.
What Does It Treat?
BroadBand Light Therapy typically treats the neck and chest, face, and also hands but can treat any part of the skin you are concerned about.
If you deal with any of the following skin conditions, you can definitely turn to BBL:
Hyperpigmentation
Prolonged exposure to the sun may cause brown and age spots., hyperpigmentation, pigmented lesions, and discoloration. Regular sessions of BBL treatments will help destroy the cells causing these on the skin.
Acne
BBL can target and address acne concerns in several ways.
First, it can control and treat oil glands that produce too much sebum which can often lead to clogged pores resulting in acne breakouts. The controlled heat from BBL treatments also kills acne-causing bacteria, reducing possible future breakouts.
Lastly, BBl’s light energy technology will reduce the redness caused by acne breakouts.
Rosacea and redness
Rosacea and redness can be caused by fine and small blood vessels. With the heat from the BBL treatment, these small blood vessels are taken care of, along with the redness and vascular lesions on the skin. If you have skin concerns on your body, red light therapy could be an interesting option to test out. It’s less direct in its treatment of skin, but has some interesting possibilities in the world of wellness.
Visible signs of aging
When BBL’s light energy penetrates deep into the skin, this stimulates cell regeneration and promotes collagen production. Collagen is what gives skin elasticity. By boosting production, patients are left with plumper and younger-looking skin.
Regular sessions would help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
What to Expect From BroadBand Light Skin Treatments
If you don’t have prior experience with BroadBand light treatments, we’re here to walk you through what you can expect on your first session:
Before BBL treatment
Before you go ahead with the treatment itself, there should be an initial BBL consultation first.
For this consultation, a dermatologist will examine your skin. You can raise your skin concerns, areas you want to target, and the results you want after the treatments.
Your dermatologist will then develop a treatment plan for you.
You will also receive individualized instructions on how to prepare for the treatment and how to take care of your skin after.
During BBL treatment
During the treatment session itself, your face will first be cleansed and washed to remove any makeup or product on the skin.
Before the treatment starts, a topical anesthetic or possibly a cooling gel will be applied to the treatment area. Next, you and your technician will wear safety glasses, goggles, or shields to protect both your eyes.
Expect flashes of light coming from the device for the duration of the treatment.
BBL is painless and non-invasive. Still, you may feel some warm sensation in the treatment area as the device does its thing. There might also be some level of pulses and pain on the skin.
Many patients likened the pulsing sensation to a quick and mild rubber band snap. But then again, people have varying levels of pain tolerance.
If the pulsing and warming sensation gets too much for you, let the practitioner know and they can add more numbing cream to the area for your comfort.
After BBL treatment
After the BBL treatment, you may notice increased redness in the treatment area. Some may say the area looks a bit sunburned. Your skin may also feel warm and look a bit swollen.
These after-effects may last for about two to four hours. Some patients don’t experience any of these at all.
Your dermatologist will give you instructions on how to take care of your skin and manage these after-effects.
In about one week, expect visible results. Areas of concern will eventually flake off or fade on their own, revealing smoother, even, and youthful skin.
How Long Does a BBL Treatment Take?
A single session of BBL treatment usually takes around 15 to 30 minutes, but definitely less than an hour. How long it would take could vary depending on the size of the treatment area.
How Many BBL Treatments Do I Need?
BBL is not a one-and-done treatment. Typically a series of three to six sessions spaced out at least four weeks apart should get you started.
After that series of multiple treatments, it’s recommended to get at least two treatments per year to maintain and improve your results.
Recovery and Downtime After BBL Treatment
BroadBand Light Therapy is a non-invasive, non-ablative procedure. There is little to no downtime after each treatment. You can go about your day after each session without worries.
You can expect some redness or swelling, but these go down a few hours after. There might be bruising but only on sensitive treatment areas like around the eyes.
SPF and BroadBand Light Therapy Results
Your skin will be extra sensitive to the sun a week or two after your BroadBand light treatment. A sunscreen with SPF30 or more will be more effective to protect the skin. Make it a point to wear protective clothing and hats to give the skin an extra shield against sunlight.
If you’re going to the beach or anywhere sunny and tropical, it’s generally recommended to get the treatment after getting back from your vacation and not before.
Who are and are Not Ideal Candidates for This Intense Pulsed Light Treatment?
BBL works best for people with a lighter, untanned skin tone. The light energy on darker-pigmented skin cells may cause dark spots and hyperpigmentation instead.
If you have a darker, tanned skin tone, you might want to go ahead with a consultation so your dermatologist can suggest and offer alternative treatments for your concerns.
Those with darker skin tones are often recommended treatments like chemical peels as an alternative instead.
BroadBand Light Therapy Risks
BroadBand light skin treatment is totally safe and non-invasive, however, you may still experience some redness or warmth that lasts for a few hours after the treatment. There may also be some swelling or bruising, but nothing too painful. You can still go ahead with your day and apply makeup.
Your skin would be sensitive to the sun so SPF is a must. After the treatment, you should also avoid exfoliants and harsh and scented products. Be gentle and never pick at your skin.
Conclusion
Everyone has skin concerns – even celebrities on magazine covers with picture-perfect skin. That’s what skincare products are for, to address these concerns. But when topical products don’t do the trick, many turn to treatments like BroadBand Light Therapy.
BroadBand Light (BBL) Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that addresses several skin concerns like hyperpigmentation, acne, rosacea, and aging. It uses pulsing light energy that penetrates deep into the skin to boost cell regeneration and collagen production.
And that was our detailed guide on BroadBand Light Therapy! Hit us up from any of the links below if you have more questions you’d like us to answer.
