BBL vs. IPL Laser Treatments - Skin Savvy Aesthetics Med Spa (2024)

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When it comes to laser treatments, many options are available. Two of the most common laser treatments are BBL and IPL, to improve skin tone and texture and address various other aesthetic concerns. Let’s discuss the difference and why BBL might be the treatment for you!

What is IPL Skin Treatment?

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light, a light-based laser treatment used to improve the appearance of the patient’s skin. This procedure targets and destroys pigmented cells in the skin, resulting in brighter, smoother skin with fewer signs of aging or sun damage. IPL light waves also gently heat the deeper layers of skin, stimulating collagen production.

Benefits of IPL

IPL is a gentle yet effective treatment for those looking to improve the appearance of their skin. One of the main benefits of IPL is that it requires minimal downtime, with most people able to return to their normal activities directly after the procedure. It’s also safe and non-invasive, which makes it ideal for those who don’t want to undergo invasive treatments.

Common Side Effects of IPL

  • Redness: if you experience redness after the treatment, it should subside within a few hours. To reduce redness, try applying a topical aloe vera gel.
  • Swelling: Swelling is common after IPL treatments and can last up to 48 hours. Use a cold compress over the treated area to reduce swelling.
  • Discomfort: You may experience discomfort or a burning sensation during the procedure, which should subside once the treatment is over. Take Tylenol before and after the procedure to help with any pain or discomfort.

What is BBL Skin Treatment?

BBL stands for BroadBand Light, a newer technology that utilizes an advanced laser to treat skin issues. This treatment uses different wavelengths of light to precisely target specific skin problems with more accuracy than IPL therapy. It can treat common skin issues such as sun spots, rosacea, age spots, broken capillaries, and wrinkles. Unlike IPL, which targets and destroys pigmented cells in the skin, BBL targets specific conditions that improve skin tone and texture. It targets melanin (pigment) and blood vessels, allowing for more precision when targeting specific areas of concern.

Benefits of BBL

BBL is a more precise treatment than IPL, allowing for improved targeting of specific skin issues with greater accuracy. It also can reduce wrinkles and stimulate collagen production, resulting in smoother, younger-looking skin. Another major benefit of BBL is that it requires very little downtime – typically none – making it an ideal choice for quick results. BBL technology can alter genes on a molecular level to help generate a more youthful appearance and reverse signs of aging.

Common Side Effects of BBL

  • Redness: If you notice redness following the procedure, it should go away in a few hours. Consider using a topical aloe vera gel to lessen the redness.
  • Swelling: After IPL treatments, swelling is typical and can last up to 48 hours. Apply cold compress to the treated region to lessen swelling.
  • Pain: During the treatment, you can feel pain or a burning feeling; this should pass after it is over. Tylenol can be used before and after the treatment to ease pain or discomfort.
  • Dark spots or Lightening of the Skin: It is possible to have dark spots on the surface of the skin after BBL treatment. Additionally, lightening of the skin may occur due to increased sensitivity to UV rays. Be sure to use sunscreen or other protective measures for a few weeks after your treatment.

How Do BBL and IPL Differ?

The main difference between BBL and IPL is the level of precision. BBL utilizes multiple wavelengths of light to more accurately target specific skin issues, while IPL relies on a single wavelength of light that cannot be adjusted. BBL is typically used for more complex problems such as redness, wrinkles, and scarring. In addition, BBL treatments go deeper into the skin than IPL treatments and require fewer sessions for desired results.

How to Maintain Results

To maintain the best results from both BBL and IPL, it’s important to follow a good skin care regimen. This means using a sunscreen every day and avoiding excessive sun exposure. Additionally, get regular treatments to keep your skin looking its best.

Which Treatment is Right for You?

BBL and IPL can help improve the appearance of your skin, but BBL is generally considered more effective for treating more complex issues. If you have sun spots, rosacea, age spots, broken capillaries, or wrinkles that you would like to reduce or eliminate, then BBL may be the best option.

Get a BBL Treatment with Skin Savvy

Skin Savvy Med Spa uses the latest technology to provide our clients with safe and effective BBL treatments. We can tailor a treatment plan to help you achieve your aesthetic goals. Contact us today to book an appointment and start your journey to beautiful skin!

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BBL vs. IPL Laser Treatments - Skin Savvy Aesthetics Med Spa (2024)

FAQs

BBL vs. IPL Laser Treatments - Skin Savvy Aesthetics Med Spa? ›

The main difference between BBL and IPL is the level of precision. BBL utilizes multiple wavelengths of light to more accurately target specific skin issues, while IPL relies on a single wavelength of light that cannot be adjusted. BBL is typically used for more complex problems such as redness, wrinkles, and scarring.

Who is not a good candidate for BBL laser? ›

Reasons You May Not Be a Good Candidate
  • You have deep wrinkles.
  • You're on certain medications that might cause more damage to your skin.
  • You have a skin condition that hasn't been properly treated.
  • You have darker skin pigmentation,
  • You have certain allergies.
  • You have the herpes virus or are prone to cold sore breakouts.

Is BBL laser worth it? ›

For many people, BBL treatments are well worth the investment. You'll need to keep up with them over time, but this unique procedure offers more than good skin — it can also give you confidence and peace of mind.

Does Bbl get rid of broken capillaries? ›

Broadband light therapy, or BBL, is a popular and effective method for removing visible broken capillaries from the skin. It is also frequently used to remove freckles and age spots, and to improve uneven skin texture. It is cleared by the FDA and requires no surgery or downtime.

What is more effective than IPL? ›

Laser technology is simply much more effective, and achieves substantially better results than IPL with most clients achieving optimal results of permanent hair removal of 80% or greater after four to eight treatments. However, IPL machines do have an important place in the treatment of skin.

Does BBL work better than IPL? ›

BBL treatments not only diminish signs of aging, but they improve the health of the skin and can even be used to control chronic conditions like acne and rosacea. Unlike IPL treatments, BBL is proven to slow, and even stop, the gene expression associated with aging.

Why BBL is not popular? ›

Brazilian butt lifts have recently been making headlines, but not for good reasons. Experts are calling the procedure unsafe, with it having one of the highest mortality rates of them all. Out of 692 surgeons surveyed in a recent study, 21 admitted to experiencing a patient death following the procedure.

What laser is better than BBL? ›

The longevity of results varies between the two treatments. Halo laser offers long-lasting benefits, with results that can continue to improve over several months as collagen production increases. BBL results are also durable, but maintenance sessions may be required to address recurring concerns like sun damage.

What are the negative effects of BBL laser? ›

Risks of BBL therapy

This can increase the risk of burning, hypopigmentation (areas of skin that are lighter than surrounding skin), hyperpigmentation (darkened areas) and scarring.

Can BBL laser tighten skin? ›

BBL Laser Skin Tightening is an ideal treatment option for individuals seeking non-surgical skin tightening in various areas of the body.

What is the best laser for broken capillaries on the face? ›

When trying to banish broken blood vessels and broken capillaries from your face, you'll want to rely on a vascular laser like a pulsed dye laser. The good news is that pulsed dye lasers don't require any pain management and has zero downtime.

How many IPL treatments does it take to get rid of broken capillaries? ›

IPL for broken capillaries is a highly effective treatment for reducing the appearance of broken capillaries and redness. Many people experience significant improvements after just one or two IPL treatments. In most cases, however, a series of 3 or more facial IPL treatments is required.

Can BBL make rosacea worse? ›

By stimulating collagen production, BBL can improve skin texture, thickness, and resilience. This is beneficial for individuals with rosacea, as it can help reduce the appearance of bumps and thickened skin associated with the condition.

Should I get an IPL or laser? ›

Laser is collimated, meaning it's slow to diverge or spread out. This makes laser light very powerful as nearly 100 per cent of the light can be effective in treatments. IPL is not collimated, so it is quick to spread out making it less effective in treatments.

What hurts more, IPL or laser? ›

No, IPL hair removal is typically less painful than professional laser treatments in-clinic because it uses lower-intensity light. However, both technologies feel the same when used in a portable, home use device engineered with advanced cooling air systems and UV sensors to minimize discomfort.

Will one IPL treatment make a difference? ›

Changes in Skin Pigmentation After 1 IPL Treatment

Most large freckles and other brown spots will appear lighter just after a single session. However, bear in mind that for maximum effect, we usually recommend a course of three or more treatments over several weeks.

Who should not do BBL? ›

Those that have open wounds on the area being treated may not be suitable for BBL laser treatment, as healing wounds can be disrupted by laser treatment, which can then lead to scarring. Pregnancy. BBL laser treatment is not recommended for pregnant women as the laser can potentially harm the developing fetus.

What makes you not a candidate for BBL? ›

Those who don't have enough stubborn fat to remove from a donor site will not be able to successfully undergo this treatment, but we can make recommendations about alternative options.

What are reasons you can't get a BBL? ›

Why not to get a BBL? Brazilian butt lift surgeries can pose severe dangers like blood clots, heart issues, and fat embolism. Transferred fat can block lungs. Despite aesthetic benefits, risks outweigh rewards.

Who should not receive laser therapy? ›

Contraindications. Cold laser therapy should not be used over any suspicious cancerous lesions, or carcinoma, over the thyroid, on pregnant patients, and there should not be direct irradiation of the eyes, as the laser can cause permanent damage to the eyes.

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