Intense pulsed light in Florence can offer powerful skin rejuvenation for aging or discolored skin.
But you might not realize that advancements in aesthetic technology have led to the newest iteration of intense pulsed light, or IPL: BBL® HEROic™️.
A cutting-edge evolution of IPL, the BBL HEROic provides gentler treatment, minimal downtime, and faster results for everything from wrinkles and fine lines to hyperpigmentation, acne, rosacea, and more.
Curious to learn more? Our team at Dermatology Aesthetics of Northern Kentucky has put together this guide to help you understand:
- How IPL Works
- How BBL HEROic Differs From IPL
- What BBL HEROic Can Treat
- Smart Filters: Advanced Precision for Your Concerns
- What to Expect From BBL HEROic Treatment
How IPL Works
First developed in the early 90s to treat spider veins, intense pulsed light therapy expanded to address a wide variety of skin rejuvenation concerns.
Unlike lasers, which only use one wavelength of light, intense pulsed light in Florence harnesses the power of broad-spectrum, multi-wavelength light. This allows for faster treatment with minimal downtime compared to lasers.
The light wavelengths target specific pigments while leaving the rest of the skin unharmed. As the light energy enters the skin, it converts into heat within the pigment and damages the unwanted cells, which the body then gets rid of naturally.
The treatment also promotes collagen and elastin production, supporting new cell growth and healthier skin over time.
Over the course of a treatment series, skin develops a clearer complexion, smoother finish, and more youthful appearance.
How BBL HEROic Differs From IPL
Since its development in the 90s, intense pulsed light in Florence has come a long way. The most recent advancement comes in the form of BBL HEROic by Sciton (BBL stands for broadband light), which offers faster, more powerful, and more versatile skin rejuvenation.
Here are some of the ways BBL HEROic improves on traditional light treatments.
Safer & More Consistent
BBL HEROic uses breakthrough Intelligent Control (IC) and Skin Positioning System (SPS) technology to provide safe, consistent treatment. It also includes a cooling system to keep the skin protected from excess heat. Many patients describe the treatment as comfortable, and they don’t need topical numbing.
Better Precision & Deeper Rejuvenation
The BBL HEROic technology provides deep anti-aging benefits. By delivering precise light wavelengths further into the skin than intense pulsed light in Florence does, BBL HEROic can target unwanted pigment, redness, and vascular issues with a high degree of accuracy.
Greater Versatility
BBL HEROic has multiple filters to help target specific skin concerns. From the SkinSmooth option that refines texture, to the Forever Clear BBL designed specifically for acne reduction—BBL offers tailored solutions for diverse skin challenges.
Faster Results
While intense pulsed light in Florence can take 5 to 6 sessions to provide skin rejuvenation, BBL HEROic has power and precision that allow for fewer sessions. We recommend a series of 3 sessions to see dramatic results, followed by 3 quarterly maintenance treatments per year.
Minimal Downtime
The precise energy delivery paired with the cooling technology leads to less redness and swelling. Patients recover much faster from BBL HEROic than from traditional IPL, allowing for less disruption to daily life and results that develop more quickly.
Advanced Anti-Aging
In a 2012 Stanford study, researchers proved that BBL treatment functionally rejuvenated aged cells so that they actually acted younger. So unlike other treatments that reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, BBL “turns back the clock” on your skin cells so that they actually look and behave younger longer-term.
What BBL HEROic Can Treat
The BBL HEROic device offers advanced rejuvenation on almost any area of the body, including the face, neck, chest, arms, legs, back, and abdomen.
It works well for both larger and smaller areas depending on your needs, and it improves overall skin tone, clarity, and firmness.
We can use BBL HEROic to treat concerns like:
- Age Spots, Sun Spots, or Liver Spots: Small, flat dark areas on the skin caused by overexposure to harsh UV light.
- Rosacea, and Redness: A common skin condition of flushing in the face that can flare-up and create visible veins, swollen bumps, a burning sensation, and more.
- Broken Capillaries or Spider Veins: Damaged blood vessels under the skin that appear red, blue, or purple.
- Lines and Wrinkles: Creases in the skin caused by aging and a lack of collagen and elastin in the skin.
- Skin Laxity or Crepey Skin: Skin that has become looser with age.
Because of BBL HEROic’s versatility, we can address multiple skin concerns in a session.
Smart Filters: Advanced Precision for Your Concerns
The Quick Change Smart Filters™ allow BBL HEROic to address different concerns effortlessly.
- Forever Young: We can effectively target sunspots, freckles, wrinkles, and overall skin tone with our Forever Young setting.
- Forever Clear: Using blue light, we can kill acne-causing bacteria, while yellow light reduces active inflammatory acne.
- Forever Bare: The advanced motion technology allows us to target the pigment in hair follicles, providing long-lasting hair reduction.
During a consultation with our expert team, we evaluate your treatment area to determine the correct settings for your BBL HEROic session.
What to Expect From BBL HEROic Treatment
While BBL HEROic treatment can sound a bit more intimidating than other facial treatments, the process is not that complicated. In fact, it’s much simpler and gentler than treatment with intense pulsed light in Florence.
Step 1: Consultation
During a personal consultation, our team evaluates your skin to determine if BBL HEROic can help reduce your skin concerns. We review your health history, discuss your goals, and develop a personalized treatment plan.
Step 2: Treatment
During BBL HEROic treatment, we apply a clear gel over the treatment areas to help your skin absorb the light energy more evenly. As the treatment begins, you should feel minimal-to-no discomfort as your provider gently glides the handpiece over the skin.
Most patients describe the treatment as feeling like a quick snap on the skin, with the sensation fading swiftly as the handheld device moves over the treatment area.
Thanks to BBL HEROic’s CoolComfort™ technology, which cools the epidermis during the procedure, topical anesthesia is not necessary.
After treatment, the skin may feel warm for about 30 to 60 minutes.
Typically, we recommend a series of 3 treatments, spaced approximately 4 to 6 weeks apart. Once you have reached your skin goals, periodic maintenance treatments help keep your skin healthy and glowing.
Step 3: Recovery
Following treatment, BBL HEROic has no downtime. You can typically resume normal activities immediately.
To promote optimal recovery, remember to follow your provider’s advice, avoid direct sun exposure, and wear broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen to protect the skin during the day, especially for the first 72 hours post-treatment.
Depending on the skin’s pre-existing condition, mild discomfort, dryness, or minor crusting may occur. Your skin may also feel sensitive, like a mild sunburn, but this typically subsides within 48 hours.
As your skin heals, you may experience temporary darkening of pigmented areas, along with some redness and swelling. These effects are part of the natural healing process as new cells replace the old, damaged cells.
Step 4: Results
A few weeks after BBL HEROic treatment, your skin appears more even, youthful, glowing, and smooth.
With just 1 to 2 treatments, you can see visible results, though optimal results develop after completing a series of 3 treatments spaced a few weeks apart.
Your skin continues to improve in the weeks and months following your BBL HEROic sessions as the additional collagen remodels your skin.
Get Ready to Glow Brighter With BBL HEROic
Factors like prolonged sun exposure, aging, hormonal changes, genetics, and lifestyle habits like poor diet or smoking can all take a toll on your skin’s health and appearance.
While intense pulsed light in Florence offered a solution for a long time, recent advancements have made BBL HEROic our team’s go-to for reversing the appearance of aging skin, fading environmental damage, and restoring your skin to a healthier, more youthful state.
Give us a call at 859.363.5394 to speak with one of our highly trained staff and book a consultation to learn more.
You can also book a consultation by requesting an appointment directly on our website.
Looking for something else? Try out our online treatment planner to discover more skin rejuvenation options, or aesthetic enhancements like Botox or dermal filler.
Related Read: 4 Powerful Skin Rejuvenation Treatments
