BroadBand Light Therapy

Over the years, sun exposure, environmental pollution and aging can cause visible skin damage. Genetics, diet and lifestyle habits can also affect your skin’s appearance and condition.

At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, our aesthetic team offers Broadband Light (BBL®) therapy to help you achieve your skin care goals. While BBL therapy treatments are not effective for all skin types, we can evaluate your skin to see if this –– or another cosmetic procedure –– could be right for you, and we may suggest BBL therapy alone or as part of a larger care plan with other aesthetic procedures.

What is Broadband Light therapy?

BBL therapy is a light-based technology used to treat skin conditions including, but not limited to:

• Hyperpigmentation, sun damage, freckles and age spots
• Redness, rosacea and cherry angiomas
• Broken capillaries and other vascular lesions

There are also other Sciton BBL technologies that can improve skin moisture levels and skin elasticity and tightness.

BBL therapy is similar to laser technology, which is why it’s best done in a medical setting by a medical professional. BBL therapy harnesses broad-spectrum light that is directed through interchangeable filters to target your specific areas of concern. There is little to no discomfort and some downtime.

Depending on your skin condition, the areas to be treated and your own goals, we may recommend a series of BBL treatments for best results. Most BBL procedures can be done at one of our convenient central Ohio outpatient care locations.

What happens during BBL therapy?

• Your skin will be cleaned and prepared. Topical numbing is not needed or recommended.
• You’ll be given protective eyewear.
• Using a handheld device, our team will deliver varying degrees of energy to your skin.
• You may feel warmth and notice flashes of light as the device is moved over your skin. There should be little or no discomfort.

Recovery following BBL treatment

• In most cases, you can return to regular daily activities as soon as your office procedure is complete.
• You should be able to apply makeup and most skin products the same day as your treatment.
  • We will give you a list of products to avoid, including anything abrasive, such as retinol or glycolic acid.
• Your skin will be sensitive to sunlight post-treatment, so it will be important to apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, daily.
• Any skin treated may appear pink or look mildly sunburned. This typically lasts for only a few hours after treatment.
• You may also notice some bruising or swelling, especially in more sensitive areas, such as around the eyes. This typically subsides within three to seven days.
• If you’ve had small blood vessels (capillaries) treated, you may also notice some bruising or swelling there. We can recommend ways to ease any related discomfort with a cool compress or over-the-counter pain relievers.
• From seven to 14 days post-treatment, dark spots may look darker and red spots may look redder.
• To avoid scarring, do not pick at your skin. Any dry or dark areas will shed off naturally within one to two weeks (usually within the first seven days).

How long until you see results from BBL therapy?

• You may notice results as soon as one to two weeks following your first treatment. However, several sessions may be needed for full benefit. These can be scheduled four to six weeks apart.
• Once we achieve the results you want, maintenance treatments are recommended, usually twice per year.
• For the best long-term results, it’s important to use high-quality skin care products and protect your skin from excessive sun and other environmental stressors. Regular exercise and adequate nutrition can also help keep your skin looking its best.
• We can recommend appropriate, quality skin care products for your individual skin type and condition.

What are the risks of BBL therapy?

Ohio State takes measures to reduce your risk, and BBL therapy is performed by experienced medical experts. However, like any medical procedure, BBL therapy does come with some risks.

• BBL therapy is not recommended for either naturally dark or artificially tanned skin, which both have more light-absorbing melanin. This can increase the risk of burning, hypopigmentation (areas of skin that are lighter than surrounding skin), hyperpigmentation (darkened areas) and scarring.
• Other possible risks of BBL therapy include, but are not limited to:
  • Blisters
  • Burns
  • Hair loss in treated area
  • Persistent inflammation
  • Redness and swelling
  • Scarring
  • Uneven skin tone ­

How to prepare for BBL therapy

You’ll be given personalized instructions prior to your BBL treatment.

• Your care team will clean and prepare your skin in our office, but you should also remove makeup and other skin products and clean your skin before your appointment.
• In addition, you may be asked to avoid certain skin care products and limit excessive sun exposure and alternative tanning methods, such as self-tanners, tanning beds and melanin-stimulating medications, for weeks before treatment and in between sessions.

As a good general recommendation, we also suggest using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing outdoors.

Get care from a team of experts

Ohio State’s aesthetic team includes providers from different medical specialties, including dermatology, facial plastic surgery, ocular plastic surgery (for eyelid care) and plastic surgery.

If your current aesthetic provider doesn’t offer BBL therapy in their own office, they can connect you to an Ohio State specialist who does. These easy referrals are available for any treatment you’re interested in, so just ask, and we can get you to the right doctor, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner.

You can also schedule a BBL therapy consult yourself through MyChart or by calling one of the BBL providers listed below.

Why choose Ohio State for BBL laser treatment?

At the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, our experienced, highly trained specialists focus on cosmetic procedures and advanced aesthetic care every day. As one of the nation’s largest academic health care centers, our ongoing research and education means you’ll have access to some of the most advanced, research-based therapies available.