A BBL® treatment produces rapid pulses of light energy that span a light spectrum of 420nm to 1400nm. The different bands of light energy within this spectrum interact with chromophores in the skin, such as pigment and red blood cells. Broad Band Light® therapy uses different filters to target specific chromophores for a customized effect. As the light passes through the filter and into the skin, it is absorbed by the targeted chromophore, such as a dark spot or a broken blood vessel. Within the chromophore the light energy is converted to heat, causing a small injury that cauterizes small blood vessels or breaks apart pockets of pigment, whilst stimulating the wound healing response of the skin. Thus the damaged tissue from a BBL® treatment is absorbed by the body or cycled out of the skin, and replaced by new, healthy tissue.

The majority of professional skin treatments rely in part on the activation of the skin’s natural repair process. As such, the results achieved and the amount of time the results last after a BBL® treatment will be affected by the individual, biological response of the patient. Similarly, while broadband light therapy will indeed permanently destroy old collagen and deposits of abnormal pigmentation, it cannot control the response of the skin nor halt the natural progression of aging in the skin. Unwanted conditions such as new wrinkles and photodamage will eventually occur, but desirable results of Broad Band Light® therapy may be prolonged with proper skin care and healthy lifestyle choices. A general recommendation is 2-4 BBL® treatments per year to maintain results and build upon previous outcomes.

The healing time after a BBL® treatment will vary based on the intensity and the area treated. A more aggressive BBL® treatment, or an application around the eyes, may produce swelling for a day or two, while a more standard Broad Band Light® therapy may leave skin pink with a sunburn sensation for just a few hours post-treatment. If Broad Band Light® therapy was applied to address vascular issues, there may be some bruising as well. In most cases, makeup may be applied directly after a BBL® treatment to conceal any redness in the skin from Broad Band Light® therapy. The heat sensation and swelling after a BBL® treatment may be alleviated with a cold compress.

Many patients report visible changes in the skin, such as brightness and minimized pore appearance, just a few days after BBL® treatment. Targeted pigment will initially appear darker before naturally sloughing off the skin around 14 days post treatment. Blemishes and blood vessels may also take up to 2 weeks to resolve. The full results of a BBL® treatment will be seen within 4 weeks when the new collagen production will be visible. Generally, the side effects of Broad Band Light® therapy are generally very mild and allow for the immediate application of makeup and/or sunscreen post-treatment.

Broad Band Light® therapy affects collagen by causing existing collagen fibers to contract (or tighten) and stimulating new collagen production in the skin. According to the makers of the BBL® treatment, Broad Band Light® therapy may also alter the action of genes associated with aging in the skin, producing gene expression that more closely resembles younger skin. The study did not track the longevity or long-term benefit of this effect, nor were follow-up studies published, but these preliminary findings suggest that a BBL® treatment may have additional benefits for the quality of collagen as well.

The use of Broad Band Light® therapy to produce bulk heating of the skin and soft tissues does result in collagen contraction and stimulates new collagen and elastin formation. Combined, this will produce a skin tightening effect and improve the appearance of crepey skin. These effects generally endure 2 to 4 months depending on the area treated and the time that the heat levels were sustained in the skin (4 minutes is the preferred time for collagen contraction/stimulation). Visible skin tightening results from a BBL® treatment appear to be partially dependent upon the skill and technique of the practitioner. One factor that sets apart Broad Band Light® therapy from other pulsed-light therapies is the degree of customization that the technology presents with the interchangeable filters. Extensive knowledge and experience with the BBL® treatment system may very well achieve more dramatic and long-lasting results.

Both a BBL® treatment and IPL are examples of intense pulsed light therapies. Most, but not all, IPL devices employ a single flashlamp, whereas a BBL® treatment uses proprietary technology to output a broad spectrum of energy using two flashlamps simultaneously. In addition, the handpiece used in a BBL® treatment contains a sapphire cooling plate to counteract the heat generated by the flashlamps and minimize the risk of thermal injury to the surface of the skin. Although a BBL® treatment or Broad Band Light® therapy is capable of delivering more power, there are still some instances in which IPL may be preferable. A consultation with an experienced clinician will clarify which modality is preferable for specific concerns.

A BBL® treatment could be described as the next generation of IPL. Both modalities use a delivery of pulsed light. However, Broad Band Light® therapy delivers the light energy of two flash lamps and a handpiece with a cooling plate to keep the surface of the skin within a safe, but still effective, temperature. These two factors allow for the use of higher levels of energy and heat, which often translates to greater results with fewer BBL® treatment. However, there may be some cases in which IPL treatments would be preferable to a BBL® treatment which is another reason why selecting an experienced and reputable clinician is important when considering a photofacial therapy.