BBL Photo-Rejuvenation Treatments

Regardless of how young, healthy or vibrant you feel, age spots, sun damage, laugh lines and blemishes all affect your appearance and how you feel about yourself.

BBL (Broadband Light, also known as IPL or intense pulsed light) Photo-Rejuvenation is a non-invasive treatment that can treat these types of skin problems, without damaging the outer layers of the dermis. This means virtually no recovery time - you can even apply makeup and return to work the same day you receive a treatment.

The BBL supplies a broad spectrum of light reaches deep down to the collagen level of the skin. The pulsed light is a revolutionary device dedicated to Photo-Rejuvenation; perhaps the fastest growing aesthetic procedure in Canada and the United States.

Photo-Rejuvenation utilizes intense pulsed fluoresced light to effectively treat rosacea, facial flushing, red chests and necks, sun damage and irregular skin pigmentation in all skin types. Photo damaged skin with hyperpigmentation (brown spots), skin laxity, enlarged pores, wrinkling, and telangectasia (veins) can be improved.

The short wave length light is used to rejuvenate skin of the face, neck, chest, arms or hands. These treatments provide a high degree of client satisfaction because there is generally no downtime, discomfort is minimal and treatments are easy. Treatment parameters can be customized according to your skin color, and the amount of flushing or pigmentation.

For Photo-Rejuvenation, your entire face is treated each time. You gradually acquire a natural, pleasingly youthful rejuvenated look.

Is BBL Photo-Rejuvenation right for me?

BBL can safely and effectively treat the following skin conditions:

• Pigment Changes/Sun Damage or Aging Skin

• Younger patients with milder degrees of skin damage or early aging changes  Facial Veins and Redness or Flushing-Rosacea

• Birthmarks

• Melasma

• Broken veins and capillaries

• Benign vascular lesions

• Ruddy Skin Appearances (Dyschromia)

• Enlarged Pores

• Fine Lines and Wrinkles

• Unwanted Freckles

• Mild Scarring

• Irregular pigment and skin tone

With Photo-Rejuvenation you:

• Return to usual activities immediately after treatment

• Repeat the treatment in a series of three to six treatments, at three to four week intervals

• Often combine with Microdermabrasion

Are multiple treatments required?

BBL Photo-Rejuvenation provides gradual improvement rather than immediate results. Depending on the extent of correction you are seeking, we recommend anywhere from three to six treatments, spaced three to four weeks apart. Because the treatments are so brief and require little or no recovery, they are ideal for clients with active, busy lifestyles, particularly those who don't have time to recover from more invasive treatments.

Why have Broad Band Light (BBL) treatments?

BBL treatments dramatically reduce freckles, age and sun spots, small facial veins enlarged pores and irregular pigmentation.

How does Broad Band Light work?

An intense light is applied in a series of gentle pulses over the treatment area. Without damaging the skin, the light penetrates through the skin and is absorbed by the abnormal pigmentation and broken blood vessels. The heat causes damage to the targeted area and the body begins its healing process as it releases the pigment. The area will darken before it flakes off or the body reabsorbs it.

What is a Broad Band treatment like?

When the pulse of light is delivered, the sensation is similar to a snap of a rubber band. Anesthesia is not required.

Where is Broad Band Light used?

Treatment can be to full face, neck, chest, arm and hand treatments, as well as legs, back and shoulders.

What improvement should I expect?

Expect to see a gradual decrease in hyper-pigmentation that is the result of sun damaged skin and a decrease in broken blood vessels. The results will be a smoother, more vibrant appearance. There is little or no down time with this procedure. The usual treatment time is five procedures, four weeks apart.

BBL Acne Therapy Treatments

A blue light (wavelength commencing at 420 nm) is used in the treatment of acne. Acne is a problem with many contributors. For example, there are bacteria unique to acne pimples. Also, there is a disruption in the oil production in the skin (sebaceous hyperplasia). In some situations, the acne is triggered by hormonal variations. Exfoliation helps in acne treatment by opening the pores to allow oxygen into the skin. Acne bacteria find oxygen poisonous, so exfoliation can be an important step. Blue light treatments will complement this.

Specific types of blue light also poison the acne bacteria. The effect on the acne takes place because the blue light activates components within the bacteria and changes them to a toxic form to the bacteria. In essence, the blue light induces a 'photo-toxic' effect. This procedure is a drug free, natural option for anyone.

Most people require eight to twelve treatments (one week apart) to put their acne into a state of remission. You should notice an improvement after two treatments. This timing is approximate, as every person is unique. After remission is achieved, you may return for single treatments, as required. As acne is a condition, it is not curable. However, with ongoing treatment, it can be drastically improved.

Do not sun tan for four weeks before or after a treatment.

Side effects are few and uncommon. Acne treatments may cause a temporary increase in the visible pimples when treatment is first started. It does clear up with subsequent treatment. The light can rarely cause a 'sun burn'-like effect with mild redness and rarely small blistering. There can be a disturbance in the pigment of the skin, but this is uncommon. This type of disturbance is strongly associated with sun exposure. Rarely, people may have underlying health issues that cause their acne to be more resistant to treatment; therefore, an additional number of treatments or therapies may be required.

What is BBL hair treatment like?

The laser treatment can cause a tingling sensation.  Most patients tolerate the procedure well; however topical anesthesia is an option.

How long do the treatments take?

Treatment time can vary depending on the size of the area treated.  A small area may take only five minutes, while a larger area may take up to one hour. BBL affects only the hairs in the growing stage, several treatments will most likely be needed to effectively remove 80-90% of the hair from one area.  Sessions are scheduled at four weeks apart. This allows time to notice the re-growth of hairs that were previously in the resting stage.

How many treatments are required?

Normal hair goes through a cycle that includes three phases: growth, rest and transition. During the growth phase, hair is susceptible to the laser’s energy, but during the resting and transitional phases, hair is resistant. Because of these phases, complete removal is unlikely without multiple sessions. Typically, five to six treatments are necessary to achieve the desired outcome, spaced four weeks apart.

Before and After Protocol

Before Treatment:

• There should be no UVB exposure for four weeks before and after treatment.

• Shave the hair in the area of treatment at home, within 24 hours of the treatment.

• An anaesthetic cream may be applied at home (if desired).

After Treatment:

• Treated area may look red, slightly puffy - redness fades within 24 hours.

• It may feel like mild sunburn for a day or so; you may apply cool compresses.

• You may return to normal activity.

• Avoid exposure to the sun for four weeks post-treatment.