Also known as phototherapy, BBL is a light-based treatment developed by Sciton, the makers of the HALO® laser and MOXI®. Although BBL and lasers both use light energy to rejuvenate the skin, BBL is not a laser, using a broader spectrum of light rather than one highly focused beam. If a laser is like a single note on a piano, then BBL can be better described as a chord. 

At its core, BBL is an advanced form of intense pulsed light (IPL). Like IPL, it delivers short bursts of filtered light at different wavelengths to treat specific skin concerns. But unlike IPL, which is less powerful and less precise, BBL has tunable settings and dual-lamp technology, allowing for more efficient treatments that are highly customizable to specific needs.

Pulse for pulse, BBL delivers up to three times as much energy as IPL, but built-in cooling keeps you comfortable and reduces risks associated with older technologies, so the difference is most apparent in your results, not your treatment experience.

Two weeks before your appointment, our team will ask you to stay out of the sun and skip tanning beds altogether. Sun-darkened skin absorbs light differently, and that affects your comfort and results.

On the day of treatment, our team will apply a layer of gel to clean skin, which does double duty: it helps the BBL handpiece glide smoothly, and it ensures the light energy gets absorbed evenly. As the device moves across the skin, it delivers a short burst of light that converts to heat the moment it’s absorbed, which you’ll feel as a quick, warm snap. While noticeable, each pulse lasts just a split second, so the sensation fades almost immediately. Most patients find it easily tolerable. 

You’ll use protective eyewear during this portion of treatment, which takes about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the area. Afterward, you’re free to return home and resume most normal activities, with aftercare instructions and guidelines on sun exposure for optimal healing.