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The Benefits of BroadBand Light Therapy

Broadband light therapy (also known as BBL) is a type of intense pulsed light (or IPL, for short) that has proven to be more effective at delivering results and has become the industry standard. Depending on the type of energy that the photofacial treatment applies, BBL can address a range of features, such as collagen, blood vessels, hair follicles, and pigmented areas. BBL is most commonly used to treat the face, neck, chest, and hands but can be used on any area of the body. Our providers can work with you to design a customized treatment plan with BBL specifically for your skin concerns. To learn more, reach out to our Bethesda, Maryland office and set up your initial consultation with a member of our team today.

How BroadBand Light Can Help

To give patients the best experience and outcome possible, Chevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgery offers BBL BroadBand Light from Sciton®. BBL is also proven to provide faster results than other photofacial devices, and it can improve a wide range of skin-related concerns, including:

  • Sunspots 
  • Pigmented splotches
  • Rosacea
  • Vascular lesions
  • Ruddiness
  • Active acne
  • Redness
  • Lax skin
  • Unwanted hair
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When to Consider BroadBand Light

Smooth, firm, and clear skin are hallmarks of a youthful and attractive appearance. Aging, exposure to the elements, and genetics, however, can sometimes lead to unwanted aesthetic changes. Chevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgery provides photofacial treatments as a non-invasive option for a noticeable improvement in skin quality. 

You’re a great candidate for treatments if your goal is to:

  • Reverse the signs of aging
  • Repair sun damage
  • Minimize redness due to rosacea
  • Decrease acne breakouts
  • Get rid of facial hair
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Our Impressive Results

BBL has been shown to reverse the signs of aging at the microscopic level. Patients that have three to five photofacial treatments per year are found to have younger-looking skin both on biopsy and in photographs. BBL is best performed on lighter skin types to avoid complications such as hyper-pigmentation or scarring. Take a look at our broadband light therapy results and reach out to our Bethesda, Maryland location to set up your consultation when you’re ready to learn more.

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Your Informative Consultation Customizing Your Treatment

As part of your initial consultation, our providers will talk with you about what you want to accomplish with treatment and discuss your history of sun exposure, skin cancer, and previous aesthetic solutions that you’ve tried. They will also examine your skin, paying particular attention to sunspots, redness, wrinkles, acne, and overall health.

If your goals and needs line up with photofacial care, we will discuss the different types of treatments we offer. BBL has numerous filters that allow us to address one targeted issue or several conditions in a single session. For example, the Forever Young BBL protocol diminishes sun damage by addressing the reds and browns in the skin. 

The Forever Clear BBL treats acne-prone patients by eliminating bacteria in the skin and reducing the redness seen with acne. We often recommend that patients combine photofacial treatments with other procedures like MicroLaserPeel®, NanoLaserPeel™, or Aerolase Neo®. Combining these treatments often creates optimal, lasting results.

Treatment With BroadBand Light Photofacial

Having your skin treated with a photofacial is a very manageable and comfortable process. On the day of the procedure, we will:

  • Cleanse your skin and take “before” photos so that you can see your improvement after the appointment
  • Apply gel to your skin and perform a few test treatments to dial in the right setting.
  • Conduct a single pass over your skin. If your provider is treating multiple issues at once, they may instead make several passes at a lower setting
  • Cleanse your skin a second time to complete the process

Enjoying Your Final Results

Whether you want to eliminate sunspots, firm up your skin, or reduce the appearance of acne and rosacea, you can expect to have three to five BBL treatments every two to four weeks to enjoy your desired results. Most of our patients see skin redness resolve within a few months, while dark spots appear more prominent for about a week before fading away. Note that photo facials don’t reduce the visibility of freckles that patients have had for a long time.

To maintain the improvement that you have achieved, your provider may recommend that you visit our practice for follow-up treatments such as chemical peels or Hydrafacial MD®. Having a photofacial three times annually in the years that follow can also help you keep up your results. Through treatment, you can expect skin that’s smoother, feels firmer, and has a more even tone.

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FAQ

Can BBL treat enlarged pores?

How does BBL work?

Is this treatment right for me?

Can BBL prevent acne breakouts?

How else can BBL help?

Will my results be permanent?

Can BBL treat enlarged pores?

Patients who are struggling with enlarged pores know just how impossible they are to hide. Even with the use of coverup and foundation or at-home pore-shrinkage treatments, overly large pores often shine through. Luckily, the BBL Photofacial is a procedure that we can perform to improve the appearance and texture of the skin.

How does BBL work?

A BBL photofacial treatment works to treat enlarged pores by using a beam of light to break through the top layer of skin. The device uses light at different wavelengths to penetrate into the various layers of skin that require treatment. As this light hits inner tissues, it stimulates the production of collagen as well as blood flow to the area. This blood nourishes the skin while the collagen makes it look smooth and plumper. Overall, this treatment will minimize the appearance of pores while also healing any other abnormalities like discoloration. We often combine this treatment with Aerolase Neo for further textural improvement and pore shrinkage.

Is this treatment right for me?

Of course, not every patient will benefit from using a BBL Photofacial to reduce the appearance of their enlarged pores. To know for sure if this treatment will be a success, each patient will have an initial consultation with Dr. Porter to talk about their concerns. At this appointment, they will examine your skin, take a look at your medical history, and chat about your expectations for treatment. If your provider believes that an IPL Photofacial might not work on its own, they may also recommend combining it with MicroLaserPeel, NanoLaserPeel, or Aerolase Neo to increase results.

Can BBL prevent acne breakouts?

A BBL treatment is actually a great way to prevent acne breakouts. This is because the treatment helps to revitalize the skin, stimulating the production of new cells. The light used in this technique can also specifically target the cells that produce the oil that causes a patient’s acne and the bacteria that lurks underneath the skin that causes pimples. For acne-prone patients, the Forever Clear BBL treatment protocol has yielded amazing results. It decreases redness, reduces bacteria, and lessens the appearance of acne. Multiple filters are used in one treatment to yield results.

How else can BBL help?

Photofacials offer us a great way to reduce the appearance of scars related to acne. Because the dead layer of skin cells is destroyed and replaced with fresh, new cells, any adverse pigmentation or other discoloration often vanishes with a rejuvenated look. Results won’t be immediate, as the skin needs time to heal. Additionally, most patients will require more than one treatment to see full results. On average, patients have three to five photofacial treatments at a rate of one photofacial every two to four weeks until they enjoy the results they desire.

Will my results be permanent?

Patients should keep in mind that having one photofacial is not a cure for acne for the rest of their lives. Over time, their skin will start producing more oils again, bacteria will continue to lurk, and dead skin cells will begin to accumulate, all contributing to a breakout. This is why Dr. Porter often recommends that her patients schedule three maintenance treatments a year to maintain their results. As long as you don’t wait too long in between photofacial treatments at Dr. Porter’s Bethesda, Maryland office, you should be able to keep your skin looking relatively smooth, clear, and uniform for years to come.

Your Expert Practitioners in Bethesda, Maryland

Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter and her team guide their patient consultations and perform BBL treatments for our practice. Over the years, they have earned a reputation for excellence, and are excited to learn more about how they can connect you with your ideal cosmetic outcome. We offer a wide variety of both surgical and non-surgical treatment options here at Chevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgery, and we’ll be excited to help you explore the various methods by which we can help you look and feel your very best.

We invite you to learn about our work and how we will bring a high level of skill, experience, and expertise to your care. When you’re ready to get started, reach out to our Bethesda, Maryland office and set up your initial consultation with a helpful member of our team.

Enhancing Your NaturalBeauty

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