BBL for Signs of Aging & Acne
Refresh Skin with Broadband Light Treatments in Toronto, ON
Broadband light (i.e. BBL) at our Toronto area practice in North York is an innovative treatment method that can be used to target specific signs of aging (such as age spots, small facial veins, and many other skin conditions such as lentiginous and spider veins), or simply to improve the overall quality of skin if it appears lacklustre. It provides patients with a comprehensive, yet precise, way to noticeably rejuvenate skin non-surgically.
What Can Broadband Light (BBL) Treat?
For more than a decade, light-based dermatological treatments have become a well-known and consistently reliable way to treat symptoms of aged, photodamaged, and/or rosacea-affected skin.
Broadband light – often shortened to simply BBL – is the most advanced light-based technology on the market, offering little to no downtime and excellent skin-related benefits long term. It also allows treatment providers to specify parametersor settings, as well as precisely target skin imperfections such as:
- Pigmented lesions (age spots, freckles)
- Uneven skin pigmentation, tone, or texture
- Vascular lesions (broken capillaries, cherry angiomas, and spider veins)
- Rosacea flare-ups
- Bruises
- Redness
If you have larger areas with pigmented, vascular, or certain non-pigmented lesions, a pulsed dye laser such as Vbeam Perfecta may be more suitable for you. And for wrinkles and facial folds, you may want to consider injectable treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic or dermal fillers.
How Does BBL for Skin Rejuvenation Work?
The BBL device emits focused pulses of light that are absorbed by pigment present in darker spots on the skin, converting the light energy to heat that ultimately breaks it up. The heat energy can also promote healthy regeneration of cells, stimulate the production of collagen to plump skin, and collapse spider veins that are not vital for blood circulation.
Corrective BBL is versatile enough to be used on skin on the face, neck, chest, limbs, or other parts where age spots and veins may be present. Research has shown that BBL can both prevent and reverse cellular aging, so it may also be used as a preventative treatment to delay the onset of signs of aging and maintain a youthful appearance.
What to Expect from a BBL Treatment Session
As it is designed with efficiency in mind, broadband light treatments can take as little as 20 minutes, though this also depends on the number and size of areas being treated. No specific downtime is required after BBL treatments, though it is important to follow any pre- and post-treatment instructions we may provide.
Special design features of the device help keep the overlying skin layers cool even as deeper ones are heated and treated, and a topical anesthetic can be applied to further increase comfort during treatment.
How Many Treatments Are Required?
While even a single treatment session can make pigmented lesions flake and fade within a couple of weeks, BBL photorejuvenation on previously untreated skin can take three to six treatments (each at three to four-week intervals) to show the best possible results, depending on each patient’s individual skin concerns and goals.
Once optimal results are achieved for either type of treatment, they can be maintained with repeat sessions roughly two to four times a year.
General Pre-Treatment Instructions
- Avoid sun exposure within four weeks of receiving BBL
- Avoid using fake tanners within two weeks of treatment
- Inform your provider if you experience recurring cold sores, are using prescription skin treatments or are using creams that increase the skin’s photosensitivity (ask one of our staff if you’re unsure)
General Post-Treatment Instructions
After BBL treatment, the treated skin may feel a bit sensitive, almost like experiencing a sunburn. Until such effects have subsided:
- Avoid applying makeup, scented products, deodorants, or active skin care ingredients (such as glycolic acids or retinols) over treated areas
- Avoid anything that may make your skin heated for at least 24 hours after treatment, such as saunas, steam rooms, hot showers, or strenuous exercise
A curated skincare regimen and regular use of a broad-spectrum, high-SPF sunscreen can go a long way in maintaining results over time and avoiding further sun-related skin damage.
