BBL™ Broadband Light In Austin TX

What is Broadband Light? (BBL)

BBL is a type of IPL device (these are also called photofacials )

BBL™ (broadband light) by Sciton, is the most powerful IPL device on the market. Its broad range of wavelengths allows targeted treatment for many skin conditions. BBL uses high-intensity light to heat the skin and stimulate collagen production. With BBL, treatments are faster and also have a cooling component that makes treatments tolerable and pain-free.

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How Does An IPL Photofacial Help My Skin?

There are two ways IPL photofacials benefit your skin. First, the light energy penetrates the epidermis layer of the skin (the outer layer) and gently heats the dermis, the skin’s second layer. When the body senses this heating in the dermis it responds as if it has been injured by producing new amounts of collagen and sending it to the “wounded” area. Since collagen provides the skin’s underlying support structure, this firms your skin and reduces lines and wrinkles.

The second photofacial benefit addresses your pigmentation problems such as age spots and wrinkles. The darker cells absorb the IPL energy and the melanin pigment fragments. The body then absorbs the pigment cells and the spots become less and less visible. With veins, the energy is absorbed by the dark blood, heating the vein. This heating causes the vein wall to collapse and close off the vein. The body then scavenges the vein and it completely disappears.

What are the benefits of a Photofacial Procedure?

Photofacials are efficient and effective skin treatments that involve little or no discomfort and no downtime. Unlike ablative resurfacing, photofacials don’t deeply injure skin, so there are few risks and no downtime. After these treatments you can get back to your normal activities the same day. We recommend IPL photofacials because they can improve a wide range of skin problems thanks to their broad wavelengths of light energy and the variable depth of penetration. Here are some specific benefits of photofacials:

Photofacials:

  • Can treat small blood vessels that have become more visible
  • Remove sun spots and pigmentation irregularities
  • Help with acne reduction/scarring and reduce large pores
  • Treats rosacea and other conditions that involve skin redness
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  • Involve deeper penetration, so they can stimulate new collagen production
  • Can easily be combined with other treatments, such as microdermabrasion, that target the outermost layer of the skin

What are the advantages of BBL over other IPL treatments?

Broadband light therapy is essentially the next level of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. Unlike other IPL options, the Sciton BBL handpiece we use at Dr. Trussler’s is equipped with state-of-the-art cooling functionality. This innovation enables our BBL system to deliver higher levels of light energy without an increase in discomfort, side effects, or recovery.

All IPL treatments use a range of light waves to target the hemoglobin and melanin in the skin. IPL energy works to stimulate collagen production to reduce visible signs of aging, sun spots, hyperpigmentation, and enlarged pores.

Because it is able to deliver higher levels of energy, BBL heats the dermis layer (the skin’s second layer) to stimulate new collagen production, while also targeting pigmentation issues in the epidermis, such as sun spots.

Who are the Ideal Candidates for a Photofacial?

Photofacials are ideal in the treatment of pigmentation issues. So, if you have blotchy, sun-damaged skin with lots of freckles, IPL photofacials are an effective treatment. They also shrink large pores, treat broken capillaries, and lessen fine lines and wrinkles. Rosacea responds very well to IPL treatments.

Photofacials are not effective for darker skin tones or deeply tanned skin, as the IPL wavelengths cannot differentiate between the age spots/pigmentation problems and the rest of the skin.

If you’re using Retin-A, doxycycline, or other medications, they will have to be stopped for one week prior to your photofacial.

How Many Photofacials Will I Need?

A series of initial photofacials will deliver a higher level of skin improvement, but how many treatments you seek depends on your goals. A single IPL photofacial will deliver noticeable improvements, but many patients have from 3-5 photofacials to actively address their skin issues. From there, they have a photofacial once or twice yearly as maintenance, as this continues the boost in collagen production.

Is There Any Thing I Need To Do After I Have A Photofacial?

After a photofacial your skin will be unprotected against sun exposure. You’ll need to stay out of the sun for several days, and then be sure to use plenty of sunscreen for the next two weeks. It’s a good policy to get in the habbit of wearing sunscreen every day.

How Long Before I Will See Results From My Photofacial?

Results from photofacials are not immediate. The darker cells from your age spots and sun-damaged skin need to absorb the IPL energy and then begin to slough off. After your treatment, your age spots will first darken, but then they will begin the process of breaking down and peeling off and otherwise being absorbed by the body. This takes a few weeks. Your broken capillaries generally respond immediately, but collagen needs to rebuild to improve large pores and fine lines.

How Long Before I Will See Results From My Photofacial?

Results from photofacials are not immediate. The darker cells from your age spots and sun-damaged skin need to absorb the IPL energy and then begin to slough off. After your treatment, your age spots will first darken, but then they will begin the process of breaking down and peeling off and otherwise being absorbed by the body. This takes a few weeks. Your broken capillaries generally respond immediately, but collagen needs to rebuild to improve large pores and fine lines.

How Long Will My Results From My Photofacial Last?

The changes in your pigmentation problems and blood vessels are permanent. After the IPL energy breaks down the melanin in your sunspots and closes off those small surface blood vessels, your body removes them as waste products. Whether you develop more sunspots and broken surface blood vessels are dependent upon your sun exposure moving forward. More sun exposure will create more sunspots and areas of blotchy pigmentation. If you take good care of your skin and protect it from the sun, your skin will continue to look good for the long term.

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Is it OK to have a tan before having an BBL treatment?

BBL works best on lighter skin tones, as the light wavelengths can easily distinguish between the targeted darker areas and the areas that don’t need treatment. So, we advise our patients considering these BBL treatments to refrain from tanning the areas they seek to address for a few weeks. This will let the tanned skin slough off.

Are There Risks to a Photofacial Treatment?

These are well-tolerated treatments. After a photofacial you may have minimal swelling and redness on the treatment areas. This passes in just a few hours.

Photofacials, if not performed by a trained professional, can cause hyperpigmentation and occasional skin blistering, but our office has extensive training and experience, so this is not a problem.

What does a BBL treatment feel like? Is it painful?

When you come to Dr. Trussler’s we provide you with special protective eyewear to protect your eyes from the light. We then place a cooling gel on the treatment areas to keep your surface skin comfortable. The smooth glass surface of the handpiece is gently applied to your skin and the intense pulses of light are delivered. You will feel something akin to a small rubber band being snapped on your skin with each light pulse, but it is not painful. Immediately after every pulse, you’ll feel the cooling sensation delivered by the Sciton BBL handpiece, which keeps your skin comfortable.

When your session is complete, usually in 30-90 minutes depending on the size of the treatment area, the technician will remove the gel, clean your skin, and apply a moisturizer. For larger treatments, we may apply a cold pack for five to 10 minutes after your session.

Are BBL photofacials safe?

These are safe treatments when performed by trained technicians.

How Much Do Photofacials Cost?

The cost of your photofacial can vary depending on the areas you’re targeting. Once we have an idea of your goals we can tell you what a session will cost.

What is BBL HERO?

BBL HERO is the newest extension of the BBL module of the JOULE treatment platform. This extension achieves flash lamp technology that features CoolComfort technology, special adapters, and Smart Filters, all designed to achieve better results in less time. BBL works by delivering a broad range of wavelengths of light to target various skin conditions. The BBL HERO has High Energy Rapid Output that allows us to treat virtually any part of the body in just a few minutes.

Comparing BBL and BBL HERO

All BBL treatments are a type of IPL light therapy. IPL stands for intense pulsed light. The original BBL platform extension has dual-lamps, one that delivers visible wavelengths and one that delivers infrared light. The lamps have quick-change smart filters that enable the provider to target specific problems, such as redness or brown spots.

BBL HERO works in the same ways as the original BBL by Sciton, but in an upgraded fashion. This extension has a shortened pulse width, increased speed, more peak power, and twice the cooling capacity as other BBL treatments. These features have changed the delivery mechanism for maximum comfort and cosmetic gains. Rather than perform treatment in a stamping motion, moving from one area of skin to the next, the BBL HERO handpiece can be moved fluidly across the skin. No more stamping, just consistent movement for a shorter treatment session.

Who is the ideal candidate for BBL HERO?

Adults who are in good health and not pregnant or nursing may be great candidates for BBL HERO treatments. This fast, convenient procedure is ideal for people who want to correct skin conditions that result from aging and sun damage. Some of the problems that we address using this BBL system include:

  • Sun damage
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Acne scarring
  • Wrinkles and fine lines
  • Dull or uneven skin tone
  • Rough or dry skin texture
  • Redness
  • Rosacea

BBL HERO is suitable for all skin types and tones.

How often can you undergo BBL HERO procedure?

Many patients get BBL HERO treatments in a series of 3 to 5 sessions. Sun damage and the signs of aging don’t occur overnight! It is also a process to reverse them. Sessions are scheduled 6 to 12 weeks apart. Once the desired improvement has been achieved, patients may schedule touch ups one or more per year to maintain long-term beauty benefits.

How to prepare for the BBL HERO procedure?

BBL HERO is a light-based therapy. Therefore, patients are advised to avoid tanning. This includes using a tanning lamp or bed. There is a minor chance of swelling and bruising from BBL treatments, so patients may also want to avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements in the week prior to their appointment. Examples include aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, and vitamin E. Patients should arrive at the office without makeup or other skincare products that could interfere with the treatment.

BBL HERO Aftercare & Recovery

BBL HERO has been designed for comfort as well as speed. The gentle treatment does not incur any downtime. Patients may return to their normal activities as soon as they wish. It is even possible to apply makeup soon after the BBL HERO procedure is done. A minimal amount of redness may occur. This usually fades within a matter of hours.

Consult Dr. Trussler for BBL Treatment in Texas

If you are interested in treatment with BBL™ Broadband Light in Austin, Texas, Dr. Trussler and his staff are here to help. Please fill out our contact form, or call our office at 512-450-1077 to schedule an appointment!

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