Those who are searching for anti-aging and IPL therapy treatment in Vancouver may wish to take advantage of our complimentary consultations so we can tell you all about BBL Broadband Light therapy. 8 West Cosmetic Surgery & Skin Clinic offers BBL therapy (Broadband Light) with its new leading-edge HERO technology as a game-changing treatment for sun damage and the signs of aging, but what does that have to do with IPL? Most of those reading this blog will have heard of IPL (Intense Pulsed Laser), also known as photofacial. IPL has been a popular and effective low-downtime treatment for pigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines, loss of skin volume and laxity. Broadband Light therapy (BBL HERO) uses the same technology to treat the same conditions, but which machine is better? What are the differences?
While IPL and BBL offer many of the same benefits, it is always best to know the full story and make an informed decision moving forward with your skin treatments and that's what we are here for. So let's enlighten you, and dive into the world of light therapy treatments.
8 West Skin Clinic Client Gallery
Broadband Light (BBL) treatment Before & After Photos at 8 West Cosmetic Surgery & Skin Clinic
Before You Book
First things first, the primary factor to be considered before the quality of the machine is the experience and training of the treatment providers at the clinic or practice. This is both a safety precaution, as well as a way to ensure you are receiving the best treatment available. IPL and BBL machines in the market do vary in quality, and they aren't a largely regulated industry. Doctors and physicians, however, are highly regulated. 8 West Cosmetic Surgery & Skin Clinic is led by a dual-board certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, with our range of highly advanced laser technology being supplied to us by the industry leaders in laser and aesthetic technology. Our BBL HERO machine comes from Sciton - a well-known heavyweight in the industry, considered to be top tier equipment by many plastic surgeons, dermatologists and aesthetic medicine professionals who operate around the globe from Beverly Hills to Tokyo.
BBL vs. IPL: What are the Differences?
Light-based therapies such as BBL and IPL utilize energy from the light spectrum to penetrate the skin and target the relevant conditions - most often concerns like brown spots, redness or broken blood vessels. The light energy is directed into the layer of the skin where the condition lies, and converts this energy into heat. This heat then targets and eliminates the damaged skin (e.g. sun spots, wrinkles, etc). The heat (or coagulation) then stimulates collagen and elastin growth deeper into the skin, therefore providing a boost to heal and rejuvenate your skin. But where does BBL differ from IPL? First of all, BBL supersedes IPL - largely to fill in the gaps of IPL technology. One of which is the high degree of advanced customizability with BBL, and provides the technician with more control to better target and treat the specific skin condition(s) such as:
- Sun Spots & Age Spots
- Broken Capillaries & Blood Vessels
- Rosacea & Redness
- Discolouration & Pigmentation
- Vascular Lesions & Birthmarks
- Freckles
- Enlarged Pores
- Firmness & Elasticity
- Bruising
- Acne & related PIH
- Skin Tone & Texture
- Anti-Aging at the cellular level
Key Benefits of Broadband Light (BBL HERO)
BBL is superior to IPL in utilizing intense light to deliver highly controlled energy to the skin, and has been medically proven in a Stanford University study to restore the gene expression pattern of photoaged and intrinsically aged human skin to resemble young skin. While IPL won't prevent future aging, BBL essentially reverses it by causing your skin to "act younger" at the cellular level.
BBL handpieces are also fitted with an Advanced Cool Comfort feature to better aid the comfort and safety of our patients, making this treatment far more tolerable than many other light and laser treatments - no more "elastic band" or "snapping" sensation. At 8 West, our use of BBL's upgraded HERO technology (High Energy Rapid Output) additionally brings x2 the Cooling, along with x3 the Power and x4 the Speed of regular BBL.
Having BBL HERO on hand also means that we can complete treatments for the body in a fraction of the time as a typical IPL treatment. BBL HERO for the body allows us to treat the same conditions for the face, but for areas such as the chest, neck, arms, buttocks and legs, and in record time.
Our two primary treatment types of BBL at 8 West are BBL Forever Young+ and BBL Forever Clear, the latter of the two focusing on the treatment of active acne and mild acne scars. BBL's upgraded technology has also been designed to work synergistically with Sciton's MOXI Laser - a low-to-no-downtime skin refreshing treatment combo that's been taken advantage of by the likes of anti-aging aficionado Kim Kardashian. We offer a range of light and laser treatments, including BBL HERO, for a number of skin conditions. So even if your specific concern isn't listed above, chances are we can still assist.
Where to Begin?
If you are new to the world of laser and light therapies, or are wanting to continue IPL or BBL treatment, the best place to start is always with a consultation. It's important for our treatment provider to understand your skin and lifestyle, and get a good idea of what your skin concerns and goals are at an individualized level. This is so they can suggest the best course of action, and develop a bespoke treatment plan based on this information.
8 West Cosmetic Surgery & Skin Clinic in Vancouver offers complimentary consultations with all of our aesthetic specialists. Our aestheticians want to gain a holistic understanding of your skin, so we can ensure we are suggesting the best treatment and products for your skin. They also take into account lifestyle factors when developing your custom treatment plan, as they want to ensure the best results possible for your skin, as well as your overall health and wellbeing.
To book a free consultation with our skin experts, get in touch with our lovely front desk staff at (604) 733-1669 to book an appointment. Alternatively you can complete this online form to receive a call from one of our patient care managers who can assist in booking your consultation.
