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Broad Band Light Treatments at Faces+

FACES+ is a plastic surgery and cosmetic treatment center in San Diego overseen by Dr. Steven R. Cohen. A board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic and craniofacial procedures, Dr. Cohen uses his skills to help patients achieve age-defying rejuvenation results. At our Laser Center, we implement many types of laser treatments to nonsurgically restore the skin. Schedule a private consultation with one of our expert aestheticians today by calling (858) 453-7224 or filling out this contact form. We look forward to hearing from you.

Contents

What is BBL Laser Therapy? Benefits of BBL Laser Treatments Candidates Personal Consultation at FACES+ How To Prepare for BBL Laser Therapy Broadband Light Laser Treatment Steps Recovery & Results Additional Treatments How Much Does BBL Laser Treatment Cost in San Diego? FAQ References

What is BBL Laser Therapy?

Prolonged sun exposure and the aging process can cause the skin to develop irregularities that impact a patient’s overall complexion. BBL light therapy targets and depletes these by causing internal controlled damage, leaving the surface of the skin unaffected. Broadband light is non-ablative, meaning the light that emits from BBL devices does not cause physical damage to the skin’s surface. These lightwaves range from 560 to 1,200 nm and are noncoherent. This means unlike ablative lasers, BBL devices move past the outermost epidermis to target the inner cellular makeup of the skin.

BBL treatment uses broad-spectrum visible and infrared light energy to prompt skin regeneration, making it versatile and effective at treating an array of skin imperfections. (1) The treatment can decrease the appearance of:

  • Fine Lines
  • Wrinkles
  • Acne
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Uneven Texture
  • Sunspots
  • Broken Blood Vessels
  • Erythema (Redness)

Collagen-Building Treatment

Collagen is a protein abundant in skin, providing structural support and elasticity. It maintains skin firmness, resilience, and smoothness. With aging, collagen production declines, leading to wrinkles, sagging, and loss of youthful appearance. BBL therapy triggers a wound-healing response in the skin. Fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin fibers, are activated in response to heat. This stimulation of fibroblasts leads to increased collagen production and remodeling of the skin’s extracellular matrix for younger-looking revitalized skin.

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Benefits of BBL Laser Treatments

  • Pigmentation Correction: BBL therapy targets pigmented lesions, reducing the appearance of sunspots, age spots, freckles, and other hyperpigmentation issues.
  • Fine Line and Wrinkle Reduction: BBL Therapy stimulates collagen production and tightens the skin, resulting in a smoother and plumper appearance, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Acne Treatment: BBL therapy’s targeted light energy helps reduce acne breakouts and post-inflammatory redness, promoting clearer and healthier skin.
  • Rosacea Management: By targeting visible blood vessels and flushing associated with rosacea, BBL therapy can alleviate symptoms and improve skin tone.
  • Sun Damage Repair: UV damage from sun exposure can be repaired with BBL therapy, restoring a more youthful and healthy complexion.
  • Scar Improvement: BBL therapy can improve the appearance of scars, including acne scars, surgical scars, and other types of scars.

BBL laser therapy increases skin elasticity and makes the skin look clearer, firmer, and more youthful. Treatment is non-invasive and comfortable, making it an effective option for skin rejuvenation and anti-aging. The cellular regeneration BBL causes reduces signs of aging long after the first treatment session as new collagen and elastin fibers form. BBL laser treatment can also be combined with other facial rejuvenation methods to improve results and further restore the skin’s appearance.

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Candidates

BBL treatment is suitable for a wide range of patients due to its non-ablative nature. If you struggle with redness, unwanted pigmentation, sun damage, or mild to moderate wrinkles, BBL laser therapy is effective in treating a variety of skin conditions. You should be in good overall health with no serious underlying medical issues that may negatively affect your ability to heal.

Those with darker skin tones may not be optimal candidates for BBL laser therapy. Since the light targets particular pigments in the skin, it can cause discoloration (hyperpigmentation) for certain patients. Please schedule a consultation with a FACES+ patient coordinator to see if you qualify for this type of non-ablative skin treatment.

Personal Consultation at FACES+

We offer personalized and private consultations for every patient to discuss BBL laser treatment and how it can help you reach your aesthetic goals. Your provider will perform a physical examination of your treatment area and ask about your skin concerns. They will then inquire about your medical history and medications to ensure the procedure is appropriate for you. At the end of your consultation, a member of our staff will help you schedule your treatment sessions.

How To Prepare for BBL Laser Therapy

Please follow all pretreatment instructions to achieve optimal results. This may require altering certain daily medications and supplements. Keep your skincare routine simple and avoid using products with harsh chemicals like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and glycolic acid. You should also avoid chemical peels and waxing the treatment area.

Discontinue the use of anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin and ibuprofen as they thin your blood increasing your risk of bruising. Stay out of natural sunlight and wear high-factor sun protection when outside. You should refrain from visiting the tanning bed and using self-tanner for at least 4 weeks before your BBL laser treatment. If you are prone to cold sores, we recommend a course of antiviral treatment before and after your session with us to reduce the risk of an outbreak.

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Broadband Light Laser Treatment Steps

The first step of BBL laser treatment is examining your skin at its baseline. Your provider will then cleanse your skin with a gentle soap that will not cause irritation. They may mark your skin using surgical markers to plan areas where targeted treatment is necessary, then they apply a clear gel over the epidermis. Next, they perform a series of passes over the area as the device flashes broadband light in measured waves.

Depending on the condition of the skin, they may perform multiple passes to certain areas of concern. This treatment typically takes 20 to 40 minutes to complete.

Although one treatment session commonly provides measurable results, you may require multiple sessions of BBL laser therapy to achieve your skin goals.

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Recovery & Results

Patients typically return to their daily schedule immediately after BBL treatments. There is no associated downtime, and some even apply a light layer of makeup afterward and go about their day. There may be slight bruising and swelling in the treatment area, but this subsides quickly as the healing stage begins. If the provider targets certain pigments or areas of concern, the skin may be more irritated or red surrounding them. Do not scrub or scratch the skin to prevent potential scarring or adverse effects.

The targeted pigments get darker and eventually lift away and fall off as the skin heals. This process usually takes 5 to 7 days.

You may notice your skin tighten and become clearer after the first few days of recovery or by the end of the first week. These results gradually improve as new collagen and elastin fibers form under the surface. Your skin tone evens out over time and after 4 weeks, your skin will be more radiant and glowing, typically clearer and more youthful-looking.

Additional Treatments

Laser Genesis

An alternate, non-invasive laser treatment popular with our patients is Laser Genesis. Another non-ablative laser system, Laser Genesis gently heats the targeted skin to stimulate collagen production without damaging the epidermis. Much like BBL lasers, Laser Genesis is an all-purpose and versatile skin treatment that greatly improves a patient’s skin health. Due to the targeted heating effect, the skin continues to improve long after a patient’s treatment.

Other non-surgical treatments that we perform include:

If you are curious about other non-surgical and minimally invasive treatments performed at FACES+ by our talented providers, read our blog for more information.

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How Much Does BBL Laser Treatment Cost in San Diego?

The cost of broadband light therapy is highly dependent on the size of the treatment area and the number of sessions necessary to achieve your skin goals. We offer accurate cost estimates during your private consultation. Do not hesitate to schedule yours today by calling our office at (858) 453-7224. You may also fill out our contact form and we will get back to you to book your appointment as soon as possible. 

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Frequently
Asked
Questions BBL Photofacial

Is broadband light laser treatment painful?

BBL laser treatment is generally well-tolerated by patients and causes minimal discomfort. Most individuals describe the sensation as a mild snapping or rubber band-like feeling on the skin. If necessary, a topical anesthetic or cooling gel can be applied to enhance comfort during the procedure.

Are there any side effects or risks associated with BBL laser treatment?

Broadband light laser treatment is considered safe and carries minimal risk when performed by an experienced provider. However, as with any medical procedure, there can be potential side effects, including redness, swelling, temporary pigment changes, or bruising in the treated area. These side effects are typically mild and resolve within a few days to weeks.

Is broadband light laser treatment permanent?

The results of BBL laser treatment are long-lasting; however, they are not permanent. The natural aging process and external factors such as sun exposure can affect the quality and appearance of your skin over time. To maintain and prolong the results of BBL laser treatment, it is important to follow a proper skincare regimen and protect your skin from sun damage.

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References

  1. Chang ALS, Bitter PH, Qu K, Lin M, Rapicavoli NA, Chang HY. Rejuvenation of Gene Expression Pattern of Aged Human Skin by Broadband Light Treatment: A Pilot Study. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2013;133(2):394-402. doi:https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(15)36097-8/fulltext
  2. Wu M, Cronin K, Crane JS. Biochemistry, Collagen Synthesis. PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507709/

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