Many patients desire comprehensive improvement of their skin appearance after suffering years of damage caused by sun exposure, pollutants, tobacco use, or the natural aging process. As one of the most popular skin enhancement options at our practice, the BroadBand Light (BBL) Photofacial is a cutting-edge, FDA-approved treatment designed to foster growth of healthy skin cells and provide extensive rejuvenation of your aesthetic for vibrant and younger-looking skin. Our facial plastic surgeons offer BBL therapy at our Shawnee practice to repair damaged skin, even out skin tone, and reinvigorate your entire complexion.
- What is BBL™ Photorejuvenation?
- BBL™ Benefits
- BBL™ vs. IPL
- BBL™ Treatment
- BBL™ Side Effects
- BBL™ Cost
What is Photorejuvenation?
Photorejuvenation is an innovative technology that uses intense pulsed light (IPL) to reduce the appearance of freckles, age spots, brown spots, broken capillaries, melasma, and many more skin concerns. As an application of photorejuvenation, our BBL Photofacial treatment uses targeted blasts of high-intensity light to gently heat the upper layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production and providing a firmer, younger-looking complexion. Furthermore, this powerful BroadBand Light therapy can safely penetrate different skin layers with specific wavelengths to break down pigmentation, treat wrinkles and other skin conditions, and improve the overall texture of the skin.
What Concerns Can the BBL™ Photofacial Be Used to Treat?
A versatile skin rejuvenation treatment, the BBL Photofacial can treat the following conditions on the face, chest, hands, and/or neck:
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Melasma
- Hyperpigmentation, brown spots, and age spots
- Wrinkles and fine lines
- Freckles
- Uneven skin tone or texture
- Small facial veins
- Loss of radiance
If you wish to correct the appearance of one or more of these skin conditions, Dr. J. David Kriet or Dr. Clinton D. Humphrey can evaluate your complexion during a consultation and develop a personalized treatment plan optimized to correct your concerns.
BBL™ Photofacial vs. IPL
BroadBand Light and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) are very similar technologies, prompting many patients to inquire whether a distinction exists between these two light-based skin therapies. While each procedure is designed to destroy damaged skin cells and catalyze the body’s natural healing response, BBL Photofacial is considered a next-generation treatment that can treat a wider range of concerns when compared to its predecessor, IPL.
Intense Pulsed Light photorejuvenation uses sharp pulses of light emitted at very specific wavelengths to target wrinkles, redness, brown pigmentation, broken blood vessels, and other common skin concerns. This light energy gently heats the upper layers of the skin to treat hyperpigmentation, and foster the growth of newer, healthier skin. This is similar to the technology employed by the BBL Photofacial, except BBL therapy allows a greater measure of customization and control over the procedure when compared to IPL treatment. Originally designed to enhance the results of IPL photorejuvenation, the BBL Photofacial can firm and tighten the skin in conjunction with reducing darker pigmentation. It has also been proven to actually change the DNA of aged skin cells and revert them to a younger state. In modifying the expression of our genes, BBL Photofacial can encourage skin cell turnover and increase the number of new cells on the dermis for true rejuvenation that takes place at the genetic level. Moreover, BBL light therapy comes equipped with post-procedure cooling features and increased safety standards, often resulting in a more comfortable and predictable treatment when compared to IPL.
What is the BBL™ Photofacial Treatment Like?
Prior to treatment, our Aesthetic Nurse will tell you how to prepare for your BBL Photofacial. Your instructions may advise you to limit sun exposure, avoid tanning beds and self-tanners, and abstain from certain medications.
Once your photorejuvenation session begins, wavelengths of light will be emitted to the targeted areas via a handheld device, the photothermal energy gently reaching different layers of the skin to promote collagen growth as well as to correct broken capillaries and dilated vessels. While the results vary according to the type of condition addressed, the absorbed heat energy generally allows development of more youthful, vibrant, and healthy-looking skin. While most individuals report that the process involves minimal discomfort, the Aesthetic Nurse can apply a topical numbing agent to the treated areas prior to your session to further enhance the patient experience. Depending on your needs, the BBL therapy can take as little as fifteen minutes. The number of sessions required to achieve optimal results is typically determined by the size, location, depth, color, and overall nature of your concerns.
Are There Any BBL™ Photorejuvenation Side Effects?
After your BBL Photofacial, you may experience temporary redness, similar to a sunburn. This typically resolves soon after treatment, but aloe vera gel can be applied to soothe the region. Depending on which conditions were treated, some areas may seem darker at first and eventually flake off with the growth of healthier skin. Many patients can notice a difference as soon as a few days after their BBL therapy, with sun spots, age spots, and rosacea typically improving within one to two weeks. Drs. Kriet and Humphrey will provide detailed instructions on post-treatment care after your session.
How Much Does BBL™ Photofacial Cost?
The cost of photorejuvenation with BBL technology is typically determined based on factors unique to your treatment plan, such as the extent of skin concerns addressed and the number of sessions required to resolve them. While your cost estimate cannot be assessed until your needs are evaluated in a consultation, patient reviews from Realself.com list the national average price of treatment at $650 per session, with the cost ranging from $200 to $2,000.
To make the cost of your BBL Photofacial more manageable, our practice works with CommerceCare™ — one of the most popular and reputable healthcare lending companies in the country. This financing option allows qualified candidates to choose from a range of low- to no-interest payment plans in order to suit their budgetary needs. If you have any questions about the easy application process, or about our accepted modes of payment, please don’t hesitate to contact our practice today.