BBL HEROic
BBL HEROic is a broadband light treatment designed to improve the appearance of sun damage, brown spots, redness and uneven skin tone. Unlike a laser, which uses a specific wavelength of light, BBL uses a broad spectrum of light that targets pigment and blood vessels in the skin.
BBL HEROic at a Glance
What it is: Broadband light (BBL) treatment
What it treats: Sun damage, brown spots, freckles, redness and uneven skin tone
How it works: Pulses of broadband light target pigment and vascular discoloration in the skin
Treatment time: About 5 minutes for the face
Downtime: Minimal; redness and temporary darkening of pigmented spots are common
When you'll see results: Some improvement can be visible within about a week, with results continuing to develop
Recommended treatments: Typically 3–4 treatments spaced about 1 month apart
How long results last: 6 months to a year
Cost: $600 per treatment at Permanent Touch Cosmetics when I had it
FDA cleared: Yes
Where I've had it: Permanent Touch Cosmetics, Woodbury, NY
What Is BBL HEROic?
BBL stands for broadband light. BBL HEROic is an intense pulsed light treatment from Sciton that uses a broad spectrum of light to target specific colors in the skin, including brown pigment and redness.
"It's a pulsed light device driven by wavelengths looking for color," explains Sharon Grasso, celebrity aesthetician and owner of Permanent Touch Cosmetics.
And despite the name, BBL HEROic isn't a laser. Lasers use a specific wavelength of light, while BBL uses a broader spectrum. The difference matters because the two technologies interact with the skin differently.
How Does BBL HEROic Work?
BBL HEROic delivers pulses of light into the skin. The light is absorbed by chromophores—essentially the color in pigment or blood vessels—which allows the treatment to target visible signs of sun damage and redness.
The device's HEROic technology uses automated pulse delivery designed to make treatment faster and more efficient. It can be used on the face and larger areas of the body.
The system also has different wavelengths and settings that can be adjusted depending on what is being treated and the patient's skin.
What Does BBL HEROic Treat?
BBL HEROic is commonly used to improve the appearance of:
Brown spots and sun damage
Freckles
Redness and visible blood vessels
Uneven skin tone
Overall photodamage
It is primarily a color-correcting treatment, rather than a resurfacing treatment. If your main concern is texture, enlarged pores or fine lines, your provider may recommend pairing BBL with another treatment.
What Does a BBL HEROic Treatment Feel Like?
Before my treatment, Grasso applied ultrasound gel to my skin to help the device glide smoothly and keep the light targeted.
As the light flashed, I felt a warming sensation, but it wasn't painful. The entire treatment on my face took less than five minutes.
The experience was much quicker than I expected, which is one reason BBL is often considered a relatively easy treatment to fit into a busy schedule.
What to Expect After BBL HEROic
My skin was red and warm immediately after treatment. I was sent home with Revision Skincare CMT Post-Procedure Cream, which I used regularly during the following week, along with daily sunscreen.
One of the more unusual things that happened on day two was that my brown spots looked darker, not lighter. Some looked almost like tiny coffee grounds, and my skin felt rough, almost like sandpaper.
That can happen as treated pigment rises toward the surface and sheds. Grasso explained that these tiny dark spots were microscopic epidermal necrotic debris, often referred to as MENDS, and that they would naturally slough off as the skin healed.
Within about five to seven days, that superficial debris began to shed and reveal clearer-looking skin underneath.
When Will You See BBL HEROic Results?
Some changes can become noticeable within about a week as treated pigment begins to clear.
After my first treatment, one week later, my skin looked clearer and brighter, and my pores appeared tighter. Some of the superficial freckles on my cheeks were gone, while other spots had noticeably lightened.
Because I had BBL HEROic as part of a series, I expected the results to continue improving with additional treatments.
How Many BBL HEROic Treatments Do You Need?
For overall improvement in photodamage, Grasso recommended a series of three to four treatments spaced approximately one month apart.
The number of treatments you'll need depends on your skin, the amount of sun damage or pigmentation you're treating and your goals. Your provider should determine the appropriate treatment settings and schedule.
How Long Do BBL HEROic Results Last?
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BBL HEROic can reduce the appearance of existing pigmentation and redness, but it doesn't prevent new sun damage. Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen and sun protection are important if you want to maintain your results.
Can BBL HEROic Be Combined With Other Treatments?
Yes. BBL HEROic can be paired with other treatments depending on your skin and goals.
When I had BBL HEROic, I also had Moxi, a non-ablative laser from Sciton. While BBL was targeting pigment and redness, Moxi was being used to address texture and stimulate collagen.
Moxi is designed to resurface and retexturize the skin and can improve the appearance of fine lines, sun damage, acne scars and enlarged pores over time. Because it is non-ablative, it doesn't remove the surface of the skin in the same way an ablative resurfacing laser does.
I was numbed before Moxi, which felt like a prickling sensation but was very tolerable.
It's worth noting that my results came from both treatments, so I wouldn't attribute the changes in my pores and overall texture to BBL HEROic alone.
Who Is a Good Candidate for BBL HEROic?
BBL HEROic isn't appropriate for every skin tone or every type of pigmentation. Because the treatment targets pigment, the risk of unwanted pigment changes can be higher in darker skin tones or tanned skin.
Your provider should evaluate your skin tone, tanning status, pigmentation and treatment goals before deciding whether BBL is appropriate and what settings should be used. If you have a deeper skin tone, ask specifically about the provider's experience treating your skin type with BBL/IPL and what alternatives may be appropriate.
How Much Does BBL HEROic Cost?
BBL HEROic: $600 per treatment at Permanent Touch Cosmetics when I had it.
Permanent Touch Cosmetics also offers packages when purchasing a series and may offer combination pricing when BBL HEROic is paired with Moxi or other treatments. Contact the practice for current pricing.
My Experience With BBL HEROic
I've been a freckled-faced person for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I actually thought lying in the sun might eventually make all my freckles blend together into a tan. Instead, I just got more freckles.
As an adult, diligent sun protection helped considerably, but I still had some stubborn sun spots, enlarged pores through my T-zone and broken capillaries around my nose and cheeks. I wanted a more even-looking skin tone, which made BBL HEROic particularly appealing.
The actual BBL treatment was incredibly quick. My face took less than five minutes, and the sensation was warm but not painful.
The interesting part came afterward. My skin was red and warm immediately after treatment, and by the second day, the brown spots looked darker and my skin felt rough. About a week later, that changed dramatically. My skin looked clearer and brighter, my pores appeared tighter, and some of the superficial freckles on my cheeks had disappeared while others had lightened.
Because I also had Moxi during the same appointment, I can't separate the effects of the two treatments when it comes to texture and pores. But the improvement in pigmentation and overall tone was exactly what I was hoping to see from BBL.
Where I Had BBL HEROic
I had BBL HEROic at Permanent Touch Cosmetics in Woodbury, NY.
Pretty Local Bottom Line
If your biggest skin concerns are sun spots, freckles, redness or uneven tone, BBL HEROic is a treatment worth discussing with a qualified provider. It's extremely quick, requires little downtime in my experience and can make a noticeable difference in the appearance of pigment.
Just know that the treatment isn't a magic eraser for years of sun exposure. A series may be recommended, and protecting your skin from the sun afterward is essential to maintaining the results.
This is my personal experience and is intended for informational purposes only. Treatment results vary, and BBL HEROic may not be appropriate for everyone. Talk with a qualified professional about whether it's right for you.
This is my personal experience and is intended for informational purposes only. Treatment results vary, and BBL HEROic may not be appropriate for everyone. Talk with a qualified professional about whether it's right for you.
