For decades, the simplest way to fade away diffuse widespread discoloration has been IPL (intense pulsed light, also known as photo facial). Standard IPL is still effective, but BBL BroadBand Light Photofacial is the most powerful light technology available today for skin rejuvenation.
Photodamage is the result of ultraviolet light exposure – and in Los Angeles, we have year-round sunshine, so LOTS of opportunity to accumulate sun damage. Cellular changes occur, which tend to recruit more negative cell changes, increasing the way your skin is “misbehaving.” That’s the brown spots, coarse skin, spider veins, and tone loss. Broadband Light treatments are designed to combat the effects of aging and help maintain younger skin properties.
In a sense, this procedure reverses many of the negative cell changes and recruits cell behavior that does behave. Periodic BBL treatments keep your skin looking youthful, clear, and smooth.
A series of BBL treatments can offer many of the same benefits of a medium depth laser resurfacing or chemical peel without blisters, burns or long recovery time.
The basic light is full spectrum, and more basic IPL devices use that single method. But with BBL’s selective filters to block different wavelengths of light, we can specifically fine-tune your treatment to target the skin problems that are unique to you. This is a distinct advantage over traditional IPL phototherapy.
The best candidates for photo facial treatment are individuals with lighter skin tones who have dark spots, uneven skin pigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles. More severe sun damage will call for higher-level procedures that will typically involve laser or radio frequency microneedling.
BBL photo facial combines exquisitely with Halo laser. With a “stacked” treatment combination you can lighten all discoloration AND improve skin smoothness and reflective qualities. See the results of BBL + Halo treatments here.
When you take care to prepare for your upcoming BBL treatment it can help your procedure to go smoothly and quickly. Some actions patients take before beginning treatment include:
Shortly after the BBL photofacial treatments, the unwanted pigment granules (melanin) have been thoroughly fragmented without damage to the surrounding tissue. Vascular lesions (spider veins) also coagulate and shrink, many of them disappearing altogether. Skin tone and texture improve as a result of heat deposits into the tissue.
In the weeks after treatment, the now tiny melanin particles are eliminated by your body’s own little “clean up” system that absorbs fragmented pigment. Little or no trace of the initial pigmentation spots or spidery veins remain.
Although most patients are thrilled to notice improved changes in their skin within one week of their first BBL treatment, most patients do need multiple sessions to achieve optimal results. Skin tone and pigmentation will improve within a week of your first treatment, but our team recommends having at least three to four sessions to achieve truly clear, smooth, and radiant-looking skin. Over the course of these four sessions, you will begin to notice small changes in your skin. Patient satisfaction is generally high from the elimination of fine lines to the noticeable reduction or disappearance of redness and age spots.
Your treatment results can last between three to four months. However, if you commit to three or four sessions a year and allow our highly dedicated team to help you maintain your desired look, these results are not only mostly maintained but you can expect consistently improved skin.
Because your skin will improve after each session, your next BBL treatment will always improve already improved skin. So, the more sessions you have, the smoother, brighter, and clearer your skin will be. Many patients report that after several photofacial treatments, their skin looks and feels healthier and more like it did when they were younger.
Because the treatment is gentle, there is no interruption of routine activities. Pigment rises to the surface and looks and feels a bit like coffee grounds. Let them exfoliate naturally to avoid interfering with the process, which generally takes a little under a week. Trust us – it’s worth the patience.
There are a variety of ways to reduce pigmentation and improve sun damage. Each patient will have a different and individualized recommendation. Your skin type will likely respond better to one type of treatment over another.
Whereas BBL is correct for some, your selected skin rejuvenation treatment might be Cosmelan or Photodynamic Therapy or even a series of mild chemical peels. This is where having an experienced dermatologist makes the difference in a successful and safe treatment regimen.
Dr. Fitzgerald and her team always proceed with the necessary caution that’s required to get the best results – even if this means more frequent visits. BBL treatments stimulate the growth of new collagen, so over the next few months, your skin tone and texture will continue to improve, making it more vibrant and younger looking.
Despite the many “instant fix” promises you hear about, it is often a careful and continued slower mix of treatments that keep your skin looking youthful and clear.
The “maybe nots”: If you have had recent sun exposure or recently tanned, this treatment may not be recommended for you until your skin returns to its base color.
If you’ve used photo-sensitizing medications or Accutane within the last six to 12 months, treatment can also lead to undesired and possibly dangerous side effects. When using such medications, we recommend consulting with your primary doctor to see your options for stopping your medication before light or laser treatment.
Having dark skin can cause the darker pigment to absorb too much light, which can lead to creating a dark spot. People with darker skin tones are also at risk for potential scarring, burning, and hypopigmentation. If your skin is too dark for BBL, there are other safe skin care treatments that may be right for you.
During a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Fitzgerald or one of our board-certified dermatologists, we will be able to let you know if a BBL treatment is right for you.
Please call to schedule a one-on-one BBL BroadBand Light photofacial in Los Angeles consultation with one of our medical providers.
