Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is the original and popular light therapy treatment designed to reverse photodamage caused by the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation and targets various pigmentation and skin concerns. IPL can combat problems such as age spots, broken capillaries, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, elastosis, and natural ageing. IPL is a non-invasive, gentle treatment that stimulates your body’s natural healing process and collagen production to treat your skin imperfections by delivering intense pulses of light wavelengths that penetrate deep into the skin without damaging the surface layer. This powerful technology can produce youthful, enhanced results with visibly smoother skin for total rejuvenation.
Broad Band Light (BBL) is essentially a more potent version of IPL light therapy, using the latest advancements in light therapy technology to treat the same concerns as IPL, plus a few more. Including pigmentation concerns, skin and vascular lesions, and natural ageing, BBL therapy can also combat uneven skin tone, textural issues, and acne with its combination of photochemical and photothermal settings. BBL delivers a concentrated amount of heated light below the skin’s surface, targeting darker pigmentation cells and triggering the body’s natural skin repair process to help lighten discolouration and stimulate collagen production.
What really sets BBL treatments apart is their ability to reverse the ageing process. A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology demonstrated that BBL technology could produce rejuvenation at a molecular level. They found several genes linked to the ageing process had altered after the treatment to resemble younger skin more closely.
Our BBL treatments use Sciton’s mJOULE aesthetic platform. The mJOULE device is well-known in the industry for being the most powerful and robust IPL capable of treating the entire body with four times the speed and three times the peak power. Its built-in cooling system allows instant relief and recovery after patients finish their treatment.
Benefits of IPL and BBL
The benefits of IPL therapy treatments can include:
- Overall improvement of skin quality
- Reduce the signs of natural ageing
- Eliminate broken capillaries
- Remove unwanted dark hair follicles
- Diminish the appearance of freckles, brown spots, rosacea, and redness
- Lighten or reduce the appearance of mottled pigmentation
- Tighten and brighten the skin for a youthful look
- Refine and reduce the look of enlarged pores
- Promote natural collagen production to plump and enhance the complexion
The advantages of BBL therapy treatments can include:
- Reduce the appearance of melasma and hyperpigmentation
- Reverse the signs of ageing on a cellular level to provide complete rejuvenation
- Smooth and lessen the appearance of scarring, fine lines, and wrinkles
- Correct redness, uneven skin tone, and texture
- Target and eliminate brown spots, freckles, birthmarks, and other pigmented skin lesions
- Tighten the skin and reduce sagginess for a youthful, brighter complexion
Your consultation at Shellharbour Skin
To receive treatment, an initial consultation is required to assess your eligibility and devise a treatment plan tailored to you. The consultation involves a discussion with one of our knowledgeable clinicians of your medical history, including any medications or supplements you may be taking, and any previous cosmetic treatments you may have recently received. Be sure to mention any allergic reactions you may have experienced from medication or skincare. You will then discuss your current concerns and your reasons for seeking IPL or BBL treatments, providing an idea of the outcomes you hope to achieve with such a treatment. All information you provide during the consultation is valuable in helping our clinicians design a treatment plan that effectively targets your concerns, considering your health, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals. This ensures you achieve the best outcome possible.
What to expect
To prepare for your BBL or IPL treatment, you will need to prepare your skin to ensure the treatment can work properly to provide effective results. Patients will need to have untanned skin, avoiding direct sunlight or tanning beds for four to six weeks before their initial session, and after subsequent sessions. Patients should also avoid using tanning products for at least two weeks before their treatment. It is also recommended to avoid waxing, chemical peels, and any products containing retinol, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid, for at least one week before the treatment.
Both our IPL and BBL treatments have similar experiences for patients. Both you and your clinician are fittered with unique protective eyewear for use duing the treatment. For IPL tretments, a cooling or numbing gel may be applied to the treatment area to minimise any discomfort. For BBL treatments, the Sciton mJOULE device has a built-in cooling system to keep the skin cool and comfortable during the session.
During the treatment, the light therapy device is passed evenly over your skin, emitting light pulses comparable to a camera flash. This may be hard for you to adjust to at first, but most patients generally become accustomed to the flashing and stop noticing it at some point. The feeling of the pulsed light treatment is likened to the feel of a rubber band flicking your skin. Sessions can take between 30-45 minutes and may be used on any area of the body, but uneven areas may not receive the results.
Cost of IPL and BBL treatments in Illawarra
The cost for IPL and BBL treatments at our Illawarra clinic will vary depending on the extent of a patient’s concerns, the number of treatment areas, and how many sessions will be needed to acheive the patient’s anticipated outcome. We always recommend patients book a consultation to determine their eligibility and to receive their bespoke treatment plan, which outlines an estimate of costs.
Results & aftercare for IPL and BBL
Over the next few days and weeks, you can expect to see visible changes. Blemishes and blood vessels will look noticeably lighter and clear up soon after your treatment. Within the first two weeks, you may notice your feel feeling smoother and looking brighter. Skin pigmentation lesions can take between one to two weeks to crust over and fall off, and will usually appear darkened during this time, but this is normal.
Immediately after your IPL or BBL treatment, you may experience some redness and swelling, as well as a warm feeling around the treatment area similar to that of a sunburn. In some cases, bruising, blistering, skin colour changes, and infection can occur, but these symptoms are temporary and dissipate within a few hours or by the next day.
To ensure your results are maintained and provide its full benefits, it is important patients follow their aftercare plan, which may generally include:
- Avoid extensive sun exposure for around four weeks after initial treatment.
- Use a high SPF sunscreen when outside for prolonged periods.
- Avoid using hot or cold water on the treated area until it completely heals.
- Do not use exfoliants, topical acne treatments, or scented skincare products.
- Avoid using a loofah or scrubbing your skin.
- Do not pick, scratch, or rub the treated area.
Risks & complications
There are risks and complications associated with any cosmetic treatment patients may undergo, and they should be aware of the potential risks and side effects when considering an IPL and BBL treatment. Associated risks and complications of photorejuvenation treatments include:
- Poor scarring
- Infection
- Burns
- Eye damage
- Blistering
- Pigmentation changes in skin tones
- Increased hair growth
It is important that patients ensure their clinician is well-trained and properly accredited with the best treatment devices in use, such as Shellharbour Skin. This ensures your treatment is not only effective but safe, preventing the chance of risks to occur. We always endeavour patients to follow their aftercare plan post-treatment to nuture their body’s natural healing and support positive outcomes.
