Book a consult for Sciton BBL. We’ll confirm you’re a good candidate, show you what’s realistic in your timeframe, and outline a simple routine to protect your results between visits.
Sciton BBL (IPL Photofacial): Clearer, Brighter Skin with Little Downtime in Raleigh & Cary
If brown spots, visible redness, or a generally “tired” tone are bugging you, Sciton BBL® (BroadBand Light) is a smart, noninvasive way to even things out. Think of it as an advanced photofacial: short pulses of light are tuned to pick up excess pigment and tiny surface vessels while leaving the surrounding skin alone. After a short series, most people notice clearer, brighter, more even-looking skin—without needing to plan a week off work.
What BBL Actually Is (and isn’t)
BBL is a type of IPL (intense pulsed light). It’s not a single-wavelength laser. Instead, it uses a broad spectrum of light and interchangeable filters so your provider can target what’s showing on your skin—brown spots, diffuse redness, or both—in the same plan. This flexibility is why BBL works well for “real-life” faces that don’t have just one concern.
What It Helps With
Most people come in for brown sun spots (lentigines), freckles that have merged into patches, or that persistent redness across the cheeks and nose. BBL can also reduce the look of tiny surface vessels and the blotchy, mottled tone that tends to show up after years in the sun. On the acne side, Sciton’s Forever Clear BBL protocol uses specific light settings to calm active breakouts and the inflammation around them—useful if you’re trying to avoid long courses of topical meds.
You’re not limited to the face. The neck, chest, arms, and hands respond very well./, and Sciton’s newer HEROic™ tech makes “bigger area” treatments more comfortable and efficient.
What Treatment Feels Like
Plan on a gentle cleanse, protective eyewear, and a cooling gel. Each pulse feels like a quick, warm “snap” with built-in cooling. Sessions for the face are quick—often around 20–30 minutes. You’ll look a little pink right after, similar to a light sun exposure; makeup is usually fine the same day.
Over the next week or so, brown spots typically darken (we call it peppering) and then flake away. Redness softens more gradually across your series. Most people describe the whole process as “surprisingly easy.”
How Many Sessions You’ll Need
For brown spots and redness, we usually start with 3–4 treatments spaced 4–6 weeks apart. Acne protocols are more frequent at the start—often weekly or biweekly—then taper. If you love the results, maintenance every season keeps skin looking even, especially here in North Carolina where we get plenty of sun.
Downtime, Aftercare, and What to Expect
There’s very little downtime. Expect:
- Pinkness for a few hours (occasionally into the next day if you’re reactive)
- Darkening of brown spots over 3–7 days, then gentle flaking
- A clearer, brighter look by week two, with further improvement as your series continues
Keep aftercare simple for a few days:
- Gentle cleanser and moisturizer
- Daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+ (non-negotiable)
- Skip retinoids, scrubs, hot yoga/saunas, and self-tanner for ~3–5 days
- Don’t pick at flaking pigment—let it lift on its own
Safety and Who’s a Good Candidate
BBL is customizable, which helps us match treatment to different skin types and concerns. We’ll review your history and current products first, and we may delay if you’ve:
- Had recent tanning or sunburn
- Used photosensitizing meds or self-tanner
- Had Accutane in the recent past
- Have an active skin infection or open lesions in the area
If your skin is naturally deeper in tone, BBL can still be an option with careful settings and a conservative plan—this is where experience matters.
FAQs
Is BBL the same as a photofacial?
Yes. “Photofacial” is the casual name; Sciton BBL is an advanced IPL platform that gives us more control and consistency.
Resurfacing lasers (like CO2 or Fraxel-type devices) target water in the skin to remodel texture and lines, with more downtime. BBL targets color—brown and red—so it’s great for clarity and overall brightness with minimal disruption.
Will I see results after one treatment?
Most people do, especially for brown spots. But the series is what creates that clean, even tone you notice in good before-and-afters.
Does it help rosacea?
BBL can reduce the look of diffuse redness and surface vessels. It won’t cure rosacea (triggers still exist), but it can make skin look calmer and more even.
Can I do BBL in the summer?
Yes, with strict sun protection and realistic scheduling. If you’re planning beach or lake days, we’ll time sessions and reinforce SPF habits so you keep your gains.
For Our Neighbors in Raleigh, Cary & Wake Forest
Local sun patterns matter. We’ll tailor your plan around NC seasons, your outdoor time, and any events on your calendar (weddings, photos, vacations).