/assets/images/provider/photos/2485148.jpg)
As summer begins to wind down and we see the negative effects of the sun’s rays settling into our skin, it may be disheartening if you don’t know where to turn.
As summer begins to wind down and we see the negative effects of the sun’s rays settling into our skin, it may be disheartening if you don’t know where to turn.
Luckily, our specialists are experts in all things skin, including sun damage and skin repair.
It’s what makes Medical Aesthetics & Laser the premier medical spa in The Woodlands. Led by medical director Dr. Reeves, who is not only board certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology, but also Laserscope certified in aesthetic lasers & intense pulsed light (IPL), our team is highly experienced in advanced cosmetic and aesthetic technologies to help clients of all kinds achieve their skincare goals.
In the fall and winter months, we often see clients who come to us with concerns about sun damage and have other unique skin questions depending on their lifestyle, skincare routine, and more. One of our first go-to solutions for skin rejuvenation? BroadBand Light.
INTRODUCING: BROADBAND LIGHT
More often than not in the aesthetics industry, BroadBand Light is shortened to “BBL.” BBL technology, sometimes known as photorejuvenation or a “photofacial,” is one of our favorite tools in our toolkit to help reverse the visible signs of aging and the damaging effects of the sun on our skin.
We know the in’s and out’s of everything the revolutionary technology of BBL has to offer and how the process works… And we want to share that knowledge with you!
Read on to learn more about BBL and whether or not it might be the right treatment for your skin.
THE SUN’S EFFECTS ON THE SKIN
We can’t fully understand the benefits of BBL without first understanding what “sun damage” actually means.
Without proper protection, the sun can leave lasting visible effects on the skin. This can include brown and red spots, freckles, and even a deepening of existing wrinkles. And that’s just on the surface! Below the surface, we can see even more damage of the skin’s cells, making collagen and elastin production (the amazing substances that help keep us looking youthful and glowing) difficult.
So even though we all love soaking up Vitamin D, it’s also imperative that we take measures to prevent prolonged sun exposure, especially on the face, neck, and chest. This should include:
- Wearing clothing that covers or shades the skin (read: floppy hats are your new BFF.)
- Applying (and re-applying) SPF 30+, which guards from about 97% of the sun’s rays
- Minimizing exposure to 30 minute intervals (or less!)
However, even the most dedicated of efforts to keep the skin protected can still fall short for some of us. But that’s okay! New technologies and treatments allow us to restore our skin’s youthful glow even after the harshest of Texas summers.
HOW BBL WORKS
BBL technology, also synonymous with Intense Pulsed Light (or IPL), uses highly targeted bursts of energy to produce heat within both the surface and the underlying layers of the skin. This heating process encourages the skin’s natural production of new cells.
This versatile yet relatively gentle technology can target a multitude of skin concerns in addition to sun damage, including:
- Age Spots
- Brown Spots
- Acne
- Acne Scarring
- Blood Vessels
- Freckles
- Redness
- And More
Because of this long list of benefits, BBL is one of the most popular treatments for nearly any age, gender, or skin type!
THE PROCESS
Step 1. The Consultation & Skin Analysis
Getting to know our clients is the best part of being the best med spa in The Woodlands! We want to know it all: your dreams, your goals, your vision for your skin. Oh, and the just-as-important stuff like medical history and current skincare routine, too.
During our in-depth skin consultation process, we also use a VISIA machine to take a deeper look at your skin and understand areas that may need more or less attention. We will, of course, concentrate specifically on your main areas of concern to help you find solutions to the things that may be holding you back—whether that’s signs of aging, damage, or even simply a misuse of products or otherwise incorrect skincare routine.
VISIA technology allows us to specifically assess the level of sun damage you might have, both on the surface and below, and will help us tailor and recommend a specific solution, or combination of solutions (more on complementary treatments to BBL below), to your unique needs.
By opting for BBL, we can even pinpoint the specific filters and depths we will need to utilize on the device.
Once you are able to review the plan, we’ll help you schedule your first BBL treatment for a day and time that works for your busy schedule.
Step 2. Before Your First BBL Appointment
While there isn’t much you need to do to prepare for your first BBL appointment, you should make your best effort to come to your appointment make-up and product free. The only exception would be if you were to use a moisturizing cream and/or SPF as part of your morning routine.
Step 3. Getting BBL in the Woodlands
First, we’ll fit you snugly with a pair of eye-protection goggles. BBL light therapy is gentle on the skin, but not so much on the eyes! These goggles fit directly over your eyelids so we are able to glide the BBL handpiece over the remaining sections of the face.
There are up to 4 different passes we may do over a single treatment area.
- The “base” pass addresses the overall appearance of the skin.
- The second pass helps to correct pigmented lesions, as well as other areas of pigmentation.
- The third pass helps to correct visible vessels and/or areas of flushing.
- We may utilize an optional fourth pass which provides deep heating to stimulate tissue for skin tightening effects (should your sun damage have affected existing or produced new wrinkles).
Step 4. BBL Recovery
BBL is, at its core, a light-producing device that creates heat on and under the skin. You may notice a gentle heat as we glide the BBL device over the skin.
This sensation can last for up to a few hours after treatment. However, most of our clients do not report any significant pain or discomfort and often return back to their normal activities after their appointment, including work or school. You should only expect to look and feel mildly flushed after a BBL appointment, which should also subside within a few hours. Therefore, downtime is minimal after you receive a BBL treatment.
Step 5. Follow-Up BBL Treatments
Coming back for more? We wouldn’t blame you! Many of our clients see us after 4 to 6 weeks in order to receive a second BBL treatment.
Depending on the total number of BBL treatments you need to achieve your goals, giving your skin this time frame to heal naturally )and for us to understand how your skin processes the BBL application) will ensure a safe and proper treatment journey!
Step 6. Maintain Your Results
Once an initial series of BBL treatments is complete, we suggest additional follow-up treatments to maintain your results. For most of our clients, we recommend BBL maintenance appointments about once per quarter, or 4 times per year. This will keep your skin healthy and glowing and enact anti-aging properties in your skin that can benefit you for years to come!
COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENTS
In addition to receiving BBL treatments in The Woodlands, the team at Medical Aesthetics & Laser may also recommend other complementary treatments to help you address all of your concerns and help you look and FEEL your best after leaving our office.
Botox
Botox is a neuromodulator that helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, as well as to prevent wrinkles from forming in the first place, by relaxing the small muscles that contract under the skin. When used in small amounts, Botox can be used in conjunction with BBL to help further address any particularly concerning wrinkles you might have that have been exaggerated by sun damage.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal Fillers are a popular treatment to help contour and fill the skin to a naturally beautiful shape. If we cannot completely address your wrinkles using BBL alone, dermal fillers are another great option.
Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is a quick and easy way to achieve soft and smooth skin with zero downtime. By running a small blade along the surface of the skin, we can remove peach fuzz and dead skin cells that need to be shed after a harsh summer.
HydraFacial
The HydraFacial is a gentle, versatile facial that removes dirt, bacteria, and impurities within the pores using water—and replacing that debris with healthy serums to help your skin look and feel smoother. We can perform a HydraFacial either before or after your BBL treatment to ensure your skin is being treated holistically and that you feel totally healthy and glowing after each visit!
HALO Laser & Resurfacing
As a popular skin resurfacing technique, the HALO laser is a highly effective, profractional device that targets cell damage within various levels of the skin. HALO’s ability to affect textural and reflectivity in the skin complements perfectly with BBL for some clients!
Skincare Products
Medical skincare products are important for maintaining a high quality skincare routine in-between your BBL appointments.
Hormone Therapy
Sometimes, skin texture and other concerns can be a sign of underlying concerns. One of our most popular treatments is not aesthetic at all, but focused instead on wellness. BioT hormone therapy is a great way to replenish the natural things that our body needs (testosterone or estrogen) in order to correct hormone imbalances over time.
Schedule a Free Consultation
What questions do you have about photorejuvenation and BroadBand Light? Our skincare experts are here to help. Give our office a call at (281) 419-2220 and we’d be happy to provide you with the information you need to help you make a decision about which treatment may work to best address your skin concerns.