Broadband light therapy, or BBL therapy, can help improve many types of skin conditions, but it isn’t a one-time procedure. Regular treatments maintain the results so your skin stays looking youthful and even.
The expert team at the Berman Skin Institute knows the nuances of BBL and can create a custom treatment plan for your unique goals. We’ll work with you to determine how often your BBL treatments should be to achieve and maintain the skin you want.
Understanding the Frequency of BBL Treatment for Optimal Skin Health
A BBL treatment stimulates your skin cells’ behavior by promoting cell turnover and increasing collagen production. Recurring treatments continue to stimulate the desired behaviors and revitalize your appearance.
What Is BBL Treatment?
Broadband light therapy is a type of phototherapy. While it doesn’t use a laser, it’s sometimes called broadband light laser therapy or a broadband laser facial. The BBL device flashes broad-spectrum visible and infrared light on the top layers of your skin, applying energy and gentle heat. The wavelengths have varying effects, such as targeting pigmented cells in scars and sun spots or promoting wound healing and collagen growth.
Collagen provides structure and strength throughout the body, and it excels at promoting new skin cell growth for strength and elasticity. We produce less collagen as we age, so maintaining strong, stretchy skin becomes harder. By stimulating collagen production, a BBL treatment can help your skin firm up and appear more even.
Its ability to target specific cells and vascular lesions makes BBL effective in reducing the appearance of scars and other deeply pigmented markings. Since it promotes new, healthy cell production, BBL can also help with symptoms associated with skin problems, like itchiness from psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
Some specific skin conditions that BBL treats include:
- Redness
- Uneven tone and hyperpigmentation
- Sun spots and age spots
- Melasma
- Acne scars
- Uneven texture or a loss of firmness
- Vitiglio
- Psoriasis
- Vascular problems, like visible small blood vessels or rosacea
- Freckles and birthmarks
Even if you aren’t looking to address a specific issue, BBL can make your skin firmer and even for a more youthful appearance.
How Often Should You Get BBL Treatment?
The frequency of your BBL treatment depends on many factors, such as your specific skin concerns, your age, your sun exposure and your skin type. Your provider can determine how often you’ll need treatments, but many people start off with three to five sessions to address their main concern.
These initial sessions can be anywhere from two to six weeks apart. Again, your provider will decide this timeframe. The more significant your concerns are, the more frequently you may need BBL treatments.
Individual treatments typically last around half an hour, depending on the size of the treatment area. You will likely see visible changes within a few days or weeks after your first treatment, and those changes will get more significant with each session.
The Role of Your Skincare Routine in BBL Treatment Frequency
The most important part of your skincare routine while performing BBL treatments is sun protection. Excessive exposure can be irritating and increase skin damage, leading to a more frequent treatment schedule. Your provider should give you instructions on caring for your skin after and in between treatments, but some general guidelines include:
- Liberally using a mineral-based, broad-spectrum sunblock.
- Limiting direct exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.
- Avoiding exfoliants, topical acne treatments and other potential irritants.
The Importance of Regular BBL Treatments in Maintaining Skin Health
Regular treatments can mean significant improvements for your skin health. Instead of hiding problems, BBL actively helps your skin heal, and ongoing treatments ensure these benefits continue.
The Long-Term Benefits of Regular BBL Treatment
After a BBL treatment, you should see reduced signs of aging, and repeated treatments help you maintain a youthful glow long after the initial process. Even if anti-aging isn’t your goal, regular treatments help your skin look healthier, with long-term benefits like improved elasticity, smoother textures and more even skin tones. It may also reduce the appearance of pores.
Duration of BBL Laser Results
The results from a BBL treatment typically last for a few months to a year, depending on your goals. Providers often recommend three to four treatments a year to keep your skin continuously looking good. Remember that if you don’t take care of your skin, such as protecting it from the sun, your results might not last as long between sessions.
The Impact of BBL Treatment Frequency on Skin Aging
BBL technology works on a cellular level to change your gene expression. Following your recommended treatment schedule can help keep many signs of aging at bay.
How BBL Treatment Slows Down Skin Aging
When BBL light reaches your skin, it damages specific cells and encourages healing. When the skin heals, the genes more closely express the qualities of youthful skin rather than aged skin. This rejuvenation “slows down” the aging process and helps your skin look younger for longer.
Why Your BBL Treatment Frequency May Change Over Time
With this effect in mind, you may need more treatments as you age. Getting older can cause your skin to show signs of aging more quickly, so recurrent BBL sessions help counteract these effects. A personalized treatment plan will consider your age and needs to help you maintain the skin you want.
FAQs About BBL Treatment Frequency
If you’re still not sure how often your treatments should be, check out these BBL FAQs.
How Far Apart Should You Schedule BBL Treatments?
Every patient is different, so you’ll need to talk to your provider about the best treatment timeframe for you. As a general guideline, most people must wait two to six weeks between treatments.
Is BBL Laser Worth the Investment?
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. If you feel like your skin issues are holding you back, BBL treatments could provide a valuable change.
Whether you want to address specific problems or enjoy overall improvements to your skin, people often find BBL treatments extremely helpful.
Possible risks and side effects include:
- Burning or discomfort similar to a sunburn
- Redness
- Warmth
- Peeling
- Swelling
BBL facials are safest for light skin without a tan. Those with darker skin tones with more melanin should exercise caution, as you’re more likely to experience these side effects as well as scarring and hyperpigmentation.
Is One BBL Treatment Enough?
A single BBL treatment is rarely enough to achieve optimal results. You might see significant improvements after your first session, but most people need multiple treatments to reach their goals. The results also won’t stick around permanently, so you’ll need more treatments to maintain the benefits.
Schedule a Consultation Today
BBL is a great option for treating a wide array of skin conditions. The frequency of treatments will vary from person to person, and the best way to find out what schedule will support your skin health is to get a personalized plan from your provider.
Here at the Berman Skin Institute, our experienced providers can create customized BBL treatment plans to keep your skin looking healthy, firm and youthful. We’re based in sunny California, so we’re well-versed in the effects of sun on skin. We frequently use BBL to treat the effects of sun exposure, aging, acne and more.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation and see what frequency of BBL treatments might be right for you.
