Broad Based Light (BBL™)

The light energy delivered by the BBL™ will gently heat up the upper layers of your skin. The heat absorbed by the targeted areas will stimulate your skin cells to generate new collagen. This will help restore your skin to its natural beauty, blending its natural colors and making it smoother, vibrant and younger looking. In addition the photothermal energy will target and eliminate many of the fine vessels that cause redness and the unwanted melanin responsible for pigmented lesions.

Any area of your body can be treated. The most common areas are those most exposed to the damaging effects of sun light. The most popular treatments are for the face, neck, back of the hands, chest and shoulders.

From 3 to 5 treatments, at 2-4 week intervals will produce the desired results. You may benefit from additional treatments depending on the severity of your condition.

This is a non-invasive and gentle procedure with virtually no down-time. In most cases you will be able to return to work, apply makeup, and resume most of your activities right away.

Getting Started
Our physicians in a consultation determine an BBL™ treatment plan for each new patient, accounting for the number and severity of skin conditions being treated, as well as skin type. On average, four to six treatments are recommended, scheduled at three week intervals. Each session usually lasts about 20 minutes, with patients returning to normal activity immediately afterwards.

What to Expect
The procedure is gentle, non-invasive, and safe. There should be minimal or no discomfort, however this varies from patient to patient and depends on the depth of the treatment. An anesthetic cream applied 45 minutes prior to your treatment, may be used if so desired to minimize any treatment associated discomfort. Your physician will recommend the best options during consultation.

Before treatment, a cold gel is usually applied to the areas to be treated and patients wear protective eyewear. During treatment, our aesthetician gently applies the smooth, glass surface of the BBL™ hand piece to the skin. Light is delivered to the skin surface in precise pulses across the treatment area. Patients often describe a slight stinging sensation, like the snapping of a rubber band, in the treated areas. Most individuals find this to be very tolerable. Your procedure may take a few minutes to half an hour depending on the size of the area to be treated and the type of the procedure performed.

BBL™ treatments are designed to provide little down time. Your face may appear red or flushed, something which usually fades within a few hours. Individuals with prominent pigmentation may notice that brown areas become temporarily darker, peeling off in 10-14 days. Makeup may be applied immediately after your treatment so you can return to your daily activities. By performing microdermabrasion between IPL sessions, recovery may be enhanced and results may be improved. Rarely, some individuals develop “purpura” or bruising. Although uncommon, this sometimes occurs in individuals with a very prominent red component. This is painless and typically fades in about 5-10 days. Any bruising may be covered with makeup.Individuals with prominent brown or red color may develop slight temporary swelling for a few days, especially if being treated around the eyes.How do I care for my skin after the treatment?

It is important to follow your physician’s instructions. We will recommend skin care products and provide instructions on how to use them. These will minimize your risk of inflammation or redness and ensure the shortest healing time.Following treatment, ice may be applied to the treated area if desired.Medications containing aspirin or anti-inflammatories (Aspirin, Motrin, Advil, Ibuprofen, etc.) should be avoided for a couple of days before and after BBL™ treatment.Strenuous exercise and contact sports should be avoided for a few days.Alcohol intake should be limited. This will help to reduce the risk of trauma and bruising.Within weeks, your treated skin will feel smoother, fine wrinkles and pores will be less noticeable, and sun spots or uneven pigmentation will fade. Results depend on your condition, the number of treatments, and the area treated. Your physician will provide you with complete information about the post treatment care and results.