BBL Laser Treatment – A Complete Guide 2023

BBL Laser Treatment

BBL Laser or Broadband Light (BBL) laser therapy, also known as Photofacials, is used to enhance and brighten skin by treating vascular lesions, acne, brown spots, rosacea, redness, and more.

BBL laser therapy is used to improve and brighten your complexion. It treats skin issues and stimulates your body’s production of collagen. Collagen is a protein, and it helps to give skin structure.

BBL laser therapy is generally safe and very effective in treating any part of the body, the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands, concerning various skin problems.

BBL laser treatment improves skin pigmentation (coloring), firmness, and elasticity. It could also improve your body’s ability to heal and regrow healthy skin.

Most dermatologists use BBL laser treatments to treat the following skin conditions:

• Skin tanning and burn due to long sun exposure 
• Skin damaged because of using harmful skin care products
• Pollution and dull skin
• Uneven skin tone and texture
• Skin redness and rosacea
• Acne
• Vascular lesions
• Spider veins
• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Loose or sagging skin
• Scars
• Large pores
• Pigmented skin lesions like age spots and freckles
• Melasma and hyperpigmentation

Please continue reading to learn more about the use of BBL laser therapy, how well it works, and what to expect during and after a session.

BBL Laser Cost

According to market research and reviews, BroadBand Light therapy costs $750 on average but can cost as much as $2,500.

A BroadBand light treatment, also known as a photofacial, uses intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy to treat various skin issues.

These are the main factors that will affect how much your BBL (BroadBand light) Laser therapy will cost.

Your provider’s credentials and level of experience

An aesthetician, registered nurse, or physician’s assistant usually charges less for treatment than a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

When choosing a provider, look for someone with good experience in this and other skin rejuvenation treatments, as well as glowing customer reviews and a gallery of before and after photos demonstrating how well the dermatologist treats the patients’ skin problems.

Patients with light, untanned skin are considered safe for this treatment. However, even if you are a good candidate, an inexperienced provider could still put you at risk of burns, scars, and other side effects.

Their practice location

Aesthetic practice centers and medical spas in areas with lower rents and living costs typically charge less, whereas practices in high-rent localities of major cities have more overhead to pay; that’s the reason they charge higher patient fees.

If you want to save some money, it’s worth taking the time to compare personalized treatment plans and price quotes from multiple qualified providers because prices can even vary based on the size of the practice and the zip code or locality of the city.

The size and number of treatment areas

Most providers advise treating the entire face and neck, frequently in conjunction with the décolletage, to achieve the best results, even though spot-treating a few specific areas is feasible and less expensive. Larger treatment areas are more expensive because they take longer to treat.

Although BBL or IPL can be used to treat specific areas, it is always recommended to treat the entire face for a smoother appearance and to treat any additional brown spots or sun damage you may not have noticed.

The number of treatments you need

Most people need three to four Broadband Light therapy treatments with the original device for the best results.

The more powerful BBL HERO device typically only requires one or two sessions for the best results. However, providers must cover the cost of this more recent device, so each BBL HERO treatment may cost slightly more.

To plan your finances accordingly, ask your provider how many treatment sessions they anticipate you will require during your initial consultation. They should also provide you with a written estimate of the total cost of your treatment plan.

If you purchase a series of BBL laser treatments in one go, many providers will discount you.

Read more to know about: Skin Whitening Treatment – 16 Best Natural Home Remedies

BBL Before and After Laser

A dermatologist will examine your skin during your initial BBL (Broadband Light) laser consultation to determine the treatment areas. After that, they’ll develop a treatment plan that includes several sessions of laser therapy.

It depends on the size of the treatment area; BBL laser treatments typically last around 30 minutes.

A cooling gel and possibly a topical anesthetic will be applied to the treatment area by the doctor during the procedure. You will wear safety glasses, goggles, or shields to safeguard your eyes.

You might feel something, pulse, and feel a little pain. Your skin may appear slightly red, swollen, or sunburned, with a slight warmth.

The layers beneath your skin are the focus of BBL treatments that uses a broad spectrum of wavelengths. This light energy is absorbed by your skin, which encourages collagen production and eliminates pigmented (darker) skin cells.

After your first BBL treatment, you should be able to see changes in your skin within a few days or weeks. You will begin to notice more significant changes as you continue treatment.

BBL Laser Before and After 1 Treatment

You need to prepare your skin in advance of your BBL treatment. Your skin mustn’t be tanned. Before and after each session, avoid tanning beds and direct sunlight for four to six weeks.

Before your treatment, avoid using sunless tanner for at least two weeks. Waxing, chemical peels, and products containing retinol, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid should be avoided for at least a week before BBL laser treatment.

By talking to your doctor, make sure it is safe to stop taking any prescribed medications that cause photosensitivity or extreme sensitivity to UV light. A few days before your appointment, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication to you if you frequently get cold sores.

Be aware that BBL laser treatment is typically not covered by insurance if you have it. Creating a payment plan in advance may be beneficial.

You can drive home from your appointment on your own after BBL, at which point you can resume your daily activities. Avoid causing sweating or flushing for at least 48 hours following BBL treatment. Saunas, extreme heat, and exercise are all examples of this. Avoid spicy foods and alcoholic beverages.

BBL Laser Aftercare

Your skin’s health and the success of your results depend on your seriousness in following the post-treatment recommendations and BBL laser aftercare. Swelling and redness will go away in about 7-10 days.

Avoid doing any of the following until sensitivity has completely subsided:

• Use scented lotions or soaps, exfoliant creams (such as Retin-A, glycolic/salicylic, and alpha-hydroxy acids), acne creams or gels, rough cloths, Clarisonic brushes, and aggressive scrubbing.
• Washing with tepid water instead of hot water.
• Shaving.
• Swimming pools and spas with multiple chemicals or chlorine.
• Activities that make you sweat a lot — keep cool to avoid hyperpigmentation.
• If the treated area is particularly warm, you can provide comfort by applying an ice pack or a cold compress. Typically, this is only necessary within 12 hours after the treatment.
• The skin may appear red and swollen and have a slight sunburn sensation. This is an expected response. After treatment, it can last anywhere from a few hours to days. Swelling can be reduced with the help of an ice pack for the first 24 hours.
• Applying Aloe Vera or Vitamin E to the treatment area may have a calming effect. However, if the area is extremely uncomfortable following treatment, you can take oral painkillers, e.g., Extra Strength Tylenol and Advil.
• Freckles and sunspots may appear slightly darker before disappearing within 7-14 days. This is a normal and desired response.
• Around the treated vessels, there may be erythema (redness) and slight edema (swelling). Often they are lighter in color and have a less defined or smudgy appearance. 
• Apply an antibiotic ointment twice a day to the affected areas if there is an unusual skin crusting in the treated area.
• Apply an antibiotic ointment and contact the doctor immediately if the skin is broken or a blister appears. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight and keep the affected area moist.

Read more to know about: Skin Whitening Treatment – 16 Best Natural Home Remedies

BBL Laser Recovery Day By Day

First 5 days after the treatment

You need to follow the morning and evening (AM/PM) protocol as mentioned below for 5 days after your treatment. You can exfoliate after day 5 and resume your regular skin care regimen. 

Morning (AM) Time 

• You need to cleanse the treatment areas using a gentle cleanser.
• Apply only the skin care product supplied by the doctor.
• You can apply sunscreen if tolerated – do not apply if the skin has a sunburn effect. 

Evening (PM) Time

• You need to cleanse the treatment areas using a gentle cleanser.
• Apply only the skin care product supplied by the doctor.

The Next 6 – 14 days Post Treatment Guidelines

• After the procedure, you should strictly avoid tanning booths or the sun on the treated area for at least 6 to 14 days.
• Sunburn and altered pigmentation are more likely to occur in the treated area. Use a sunblock with a protection factor of 30 or higher and cover the area. Reapply every two hours. Up to 72 hours after treatment, sun exposure can cause delayed blistering.
• If you are taking BBL and in the middle of a series of Phototherapy treatments, avoid the sun between sessions and apply sunblock daily.
• Before stopping taking a medication that is prescribed to you, always consult your prescribing physician.
• After the treatment, do not have facial injections or waxing for two weeks.

BBL Laser Side Effects

You may experience warmth, redness, and burning comparable to sunburn following your BBL treatment. Although it may last several days, this discomfort typically lasts only a few hours. Applying a cold compress to the affected area for 10 to 20 minutes will help reduce swelling and discomfort.

You might notice that pigment is coming to the surface of your skin in the week after your first treatment. Additionally, you may experience redness, peeling, and swelling. Freckles and dark spots can become darker before disappearing, usually within one to three weeks.

After BBL, avoid the following practices:

• Exfoliants
• Use of topical acne treatments
• Scented skin care products

Use lukewarm water and avoid hot or cold water when washing the affected area. Do not scrub your skin or use a loofah. Use non-irritating skincare products carefully and avoid picking, rubbing, or scratching your skin.

A BBL treatment is safest for light, untanned skin because the melanin in your skin absorbs light energy. Burning, scarring, and hyperpigmentation are more common in people with darker skin tones with more melanin.

Read more to know about: Skin Whitening Treatment – 16 Best Natural Home Remedies

Conclusion

BBL laser therapy is a treatment that can help to treat a variety of skin issues, particularly those that are related to skin looks, with minimal discomfort. It is generally safe and effective.

After your first BBL treatment, you should be able to see changes in your skin. However, in most cases, you must undergo multiple treatments to get the desired results.

Take care of your skin before and after each session to get the most out of them.

Check with your doctor to see if BBL is appropriate for your skin. Before developing a treatment plan, you can talk about your worries, the results you want, and your financial options.

BBL Laser – FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)