When it comes to knowing the ABCs of light-based skin rejuvenation treatments, the letters to keep in mind are BBL and IPL. Like laser skin treatments, these procedures are recommended for women and men concerned about sun damage, age spots, and uneven skin tone and texture. At our medical spa in Anchorage, we believe the BBL (BroadBand Light) technology is the best approach.
In this blog post, we’ll explain how BBL and IPL technology works, compare how each procedure is performed, and look at the results our med spa patients can expect.
Are BBL and IPL the same thing?
BBL and IPL (intense pulsed light) are actually similar technologies, but they’re not exactly the same. Before examining the differences between the 2 treatments, let’s look at some features they share. Both BBL and IPL:
- Use non-invasive light waves to improve the skin’s appearance.
- Are versatile enough to treat the skin on the face and virtually anywhere else on the body, especially areas damaged by sun exposure.
- Require multiple treatment sessions to get the most benefit, with the optimal number varying from patient to patient, depending on the skin’s condition.
- Produce skin rejuvenation results that typically last from 6 to 12 months.
- Stimulate the production of new collagen to minimize fine lines and other skin blemishes.
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What Is BroadBand Light Treatment?
BBL is really the “latest and greatest” version of IPL, using advanced technology to produce superior results. The FDA-cleared technology is often referred to as a photofacial, and it is most often used to treat visible signs of aging on the face, neck, hands, and chest. It can also treat the legs and other areas as well. Discover more about what BBL can do for you in our related blog post.
What sets BBL apart from IPL?
Treatments are more comfortable: The BBL hand-held device that transmits the light energy is equipped with state-of-the-art cooling features that help minimize patient discomfort during treatment sessions. The treatment is non-invasive and non-ablative, meaning it works without damaging the skin’s outer layers. No downtime is needed and it’s a very safe and popular anti-aging procedure. You can learn more about BBL recovery on RealSelf.
Requires fewer treatment sessions than IPL: Even though you may find IPL treatments are slightly less expensive than BBL, most patients need more sessions to produce the desire results. With BBL, you can expect to have 1 to 4 treatment sessions, spaced a few weeks apart, to see optimal results.
Can slow down skin aging: Part of the aging process involves damage to our skin cells’ DNA. That damage slows the turnover of cells, which stay on the skin’s surface longer and create dull, older-looking skin. Research has shown that BBL causes both short-term and long-term improvement by changing the actual DNA of the skin cells, making them behave like younger cells.
Whatever laser or light-based technology you choose for skin rejuvenation treatments, the most important thing to consider is the training and experience of the provider. If you’re looking in the Anchorage area for skin rejuvenation treatments, contact us using the online form to request a consultation or call our med spa at (907) 279-8800 to schedule an appointment.