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Broadband Light Therapy (BBL)

Broadband light therapy (BBL) is one of the most advanced and versatile treatments available for those who want to give their skin a youthful, even glow. BBL at our Idaho Falls cosmetic plastic surgery location provides an effective option for acne treatment, hair removal, reducing red and brown pigmentation, and even fading spider veins for men and women from all walks of life. At Freeman Plastic Surgery, we offer both corrective BBL and specialized treatments with the Forever Young BBL device from Sciton® for people from Pocatello and surrounding areas.

What Is a BBL Laser Treatment?

BBL laser treatments are versatile therapies that deliver low-frequency light energy to the skin. This energy works at deeper levels, gently heating the skin and stimulating it to generate more collagen. Collagen is vital for keeping skin supple and youthful. BBL is an effective way to treat many common skin irregularities, including:

• Redness caused by rosacea or broken capillaries
• Freckles and age spots
• Uneven skin coloration
• Spider veins
• Acne
• Unwanted hair

The Forever Young BBL device works a bit differently by actually reviving the DNA in treated skin, encouraging it to develop more of its own collagen for skin that shows marked improvement in tone and texture. Your skincare professional can help you decide which treatment is better suited for you.

What Can a BBL Laser Treatment Do for Your Skin?

The BBL laser’s versatility enables our providers to treat a range of concerns, from wrinkles and acne to age spots and unwanted hair.

Wrinkle Treatment

We lose collagen as we age, which leads to fine lines and wrinkles in our skin. Unlike anti-wrinkle injectables such as BOTOX® and dermal fillers, a BBL laser treatment encourages new collagen production for smoother, younger-looking, more elastic skin. Depending on the severity of your lines and wrinkles, you may need a series of treatments to see your best results.

Acne Treatment

BBL can be used to target and destroy specific acne bacteria through a series of treatments. To accomplish this, we adjust the wavelength of the device. These treatments usually take only about 15 minutes, and they can be repeated weekly for a long-lasting improvement. A series of 4 to 6 treatments is often necessary to clear the skin of deep-rooted bacteria hiding within the pores.

Sun Spot (Age Spot) Removal

A BBL laser treatment minimizes dark spots by reducing their excess pigment. It is effective for age spots (liver spots) and hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage. Because the treatment also gently stimulates collagen production, it helps further treat overall signs of aging.

Laser Hair Removal

The energy delivered during a BBL laser treatment also has the added benefit of hair removal because it heats and damages follicles, a welcome ancillary benefit for many. BBL is gentler than most laser procedures, and our patients love that it doesn’t cause burns, bruising, or peeling.

What Is Forever Young BBL Laser Treatment?

Forever Young BBL goes beyond other skin treatments because it actually changes the skin’s protein production at a molecular level. As our skin cells age, the proteins they create also change into weaker versions of their younger predecessors. Older, weaker proteins and collagen are responsible in large part for the aging of skin.

Research has shown that exposing the skin cells to Forever Young BBL rejuvenates the genes in skin’s DNA so they behave more like younger cells, producing better and stronger proteins and collagen usually seen only in younger skin. The result is skin that looks younger, firmer, and more even. Much like plants in the spring, our skin’s DNA responds to the regular, increased exposure to this specific kind of broadband light to begin to flourish and bloom once again.

What’s the Difference Between BBL and Halo® Lasers?

BBL and Halo use different technologies for skin rejuvenation. Even though BBL is often referred to as a laser, it is an advanced form of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy that uses bursts of light energy to gently heat the upper layers of skin, stimulating collagen production and cell renewal to address complexion issues.

Halo is a hybrid fractional laser that treats the surface and deeper layers of the skin at the same time. It combines ablative and non-ablative laser wavelengths to correct texture issues, fine lines, enlarged pores, and uneven tone. While Halo may involve a few days of social downtime, it provides more dramatic results in fewer sessions. In our earlier blog post, you can read more about which treatment is right for you.

What To Expect During a BBL Laser Treatment

Prior to your treatment, your practitioner will review your skincare goals and help you determine whether corrective BBL or Forever Young BBL is right for you. At our Idaho Falls practice, a BBL laser treatment is a brief, comfortable procedure performed in our office. No anesthesia is required.

During the procedure, a member of our staff first cleanses your skin. We then apply the BBL handpiece to your skin, directing short pulses of light energy to the targeted area. Most patients say the procedure produces either no discomfort or a mild stinging sensation that is quite easy to tolerate. However, we do have numbing cream available if you feel any discomfort.

Depending on the treatment area, each session takes only about 30 minutes to complete. You may return to your regular activities immediately following your appointment.

What Is BBL Laser Treatment Recovery Like?

Recovery After a BBL Treatment

It’s important to use good skincare products and to be vigilant about sunscreen application during the first few weeks after a BBL laser treatment, as the procedure makes your skin more sensitive to the sun. Gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and diligently applying sunscreen will help your skin heal properly and protect your results.

During this time, your dark spots will likely darken temporarily. This is normal and a sign that the treatment was effective. Over the next several days, the darkened pigment will flake or fade away as your skin renews itself, revealing a clearer, brighter, and more even complexion.

Here’s a general day-by-day guide to what you can expect after your BBL treatment:

• Day 1:
  Your skin may feel warm, tight, or slightly sunburned. Redness is common, and mild swelling may occur. Use a gentle cleanser and soothing moisturizer. Avoid hot showers, saunas, and strenuous exercise.
• Day 2–3:
  Any redness should begin to subside. Dark spots and freckles may darken and take on a “coffee grounds” appearance. This indicates that the pigment is breaking up and will naturally slough off. Continue applying moisturizer and a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher).
• Day 4–7:
  Pigmented spots start to flake or fade as your skin cells renew. Do not pick or exfoliate—let the old pigment shed naturally. Your skin may feel slightly dry or textured as it heals.
• Week 2:
  Most of the flaking should be complete, and your skin will look brighter, smoother, and even-toned. Continue using gentle, non-irritating skincare products and daily sunscreen to maintain your results.
• Weeks 3–4:
  Your skin continues to improve in clarity and tone. You can typically resume your regular skincare routine, but sun protection remains essential to preserve your results and prevent new pigmentation.

How Many BBL Laser Treatments Will I Need?

Corrective BBL typically requires only 1 or 2 treatments before patients notice a drastic improvement in red and brown pigmentation irregularities.

Forever Young BBL should be repeated 3 or 4 times a year to maintain younger-looking skin.

Many patients get the best results from a series of BBL treatments, depending on the concerns they wish to remedy. During your consultation, we can give you a better idea of the options that are available to you. We can also talk about laser skin resurfacing, microneedling, or gentle nonsurgical treatments that may serve your goals as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

How Long Will BBL Laser Results Last?

Your results can last indefinitely, especially with good skin care. In one study, patients treated more than a decade ago still saw results.

Ready to Get Younger-Looking Skin?

If you want to find out more about what these services can do for you, request a consultation online or call (208) 881-5351.

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