What Is BroadBand Light Therapy? Your Complete Guide

If you’re looking to achieve clearer, more youthful-looking skin, BroadBand Light Therapy (BBL) might be exactly what you need. This powerful skin rejuvenation procedure can target a wide range of skin concerns—from pigmentation and redness to acne scars and unwanted hair.

Whether you’ve heard of BBL before or are new to the concept, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about BroadBand Light Therapy, including how it works, benefits, costs, recovery, and what to expect from the experience.

What Is BroadBand Light Therapy?

BroadBand Light Therapy is a non-invasive, cutting-edge treatment that uses Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy to improve skin tone, texture, and overall appearance.

During a BBL session, a handheld device delivers filtered flashes of broad-spectrum light into the skin. The light is absorbed by pigment and hemoglobin to fade brown spots and diffuse redness, while gentle heat also stimulates collagen for a smoother texture and more even tone on the face and body.

What sets BBL apart from older IPL technologies is its precision and comfort. Each pulse can be finely adjusted to treat specific concerns, from sun damage to rosacea, across the face, neck, chest, and hands. Studies have even shown that BBL can alter the gene expression of aging skin cells, helping them behave more like youthful ones.¹

At PSA, Dr. Diane and our team personalize every BBL session according to your skin type and tone. We use advanced filter combinations and energy settings to safely treat pigment and vascular concerns while preserving your skin’s integrity and radiance.

What Can Broadband Light Therapy Do for Your Skin?

BBL is one of the most versatile skin treatments available today, addressing a variety of concerns, including:

• Reducing pigmentation (freckles, age spots, sun damage)
• Improving the appearance of small facial veins and rosacea
• Treating acne and acne scars
• Increasing skin elasticity and firmness
• Eliminating unwanted hair
• Diminishing fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin texture
• Reducing redness and rosacea
• Fading surgical or traumatic scars

This treatment is fully customizable, allowing Dr. Diane Duncan and our certified nurse practitioners at Plastic Surgical Associates to tailor your BBL session to your unique skin concerns and goals.

How Does BroadBand Light Therapy Work?

BBL works through selective photothermolysis—meaning it delivers specific wavelengths of light that target and treat precise skin concerns. These pulses are absorbed by:

• Melanin in dark spots → fragments pigment so it can be cleared by the skin’s natural turnover.
• Hemoglobin in superficial vessels → coagulates tiny vessels to diffuse facial redness/rosacea.
• Dermal water/collagen-rich tissue → gentle heating that can up-regulate youthful gene expression and support firmer, smoother skin over a series. (MN Facial Plastics)

The gentle heat also stimulates dermal remodeling, encouraging collagen and elastin production. Over a series of treatments, this process softens fine lines, smooths skin texture, and restores a healthy glow.

Does BroadBand Light Therapy Hurt?

Most patients find BBL to be very comfortable. You may feel a quick, warm snap with each light pulse—similar to the sensation of a small rubber band—but the discomfort is fleeting. The system’s built-in cooling technology continuously soothes the skin’s surface, keeping the experience gentle even for sensitive areas.

Some mild warmth or redness is completely normal right after treatment and typically fades within a few hours. Most people return to their usual activities the same day.

At PSA, your comfort always comes first. Dr. Diane and our team apply a chilled gel before each treatment and adjust settings to ensure your session feels easy and relaxed from start to finish.

Who Is a Good Candidate for BBL?

BroadBand Light Therapy is best suited for individuals with lighter skin tones, but in some cases, it can be adapted for darker skin types. You may be a good candidate if you’re looking to improve skin tone, reduce redness, or address other cosmetic concerns with minimal downtime.

However, BBL may not be suitable if you:

• Are pregnant
• Are prone to keloid scarring
• Have a naturally dark (Type VI) skin tone
• Are taking medications or antibiotics that increase photosensitivity
• Have diabetes

If you’re unsure whether BBL is right for you, a consultation with Dr. Duncan at Plastic Surgical Associates can help determine the best approach for your skin.

How Long Does BroadBand Light Therapy Last?

Results from BBL can be impressively long-lasting—especially when supported by proper skincare and sun protection. Many patients enjoy clearer, brighter skin for several months after completing a treatment series. However, because our skin continues to age and encounter environmental stress, maintenance sessions help sustain results over time.

A typical treatment plan includes a series of 3–5 initial sessions spaced several weeks apart, followed by periodic touch-ups every few months. With consistency, patients often notice their skin continuing to look smoother and more radiant year after year.

At PSA, Dr. Diane and our team create long-term care plans designed to preserve your results beautifully—pairing BBL with medical-grade skincare and ongoing support so your skin stays healthy, luminous, and age-resistant.

Is BroadBand Light Therapy Permanent?

BBL offers long-lasting rejuvenation, but no light-based treatment can permanently stop the natural aging process. The improvements in tone, clarity, and texture you achieve will persist, but new sun exposure or hormonal changes can create fresh pigment or redness over time.

The best way to extend your results is to protect your skin daily with sunscreen, practice consistent skincare, and return for maintenance treatments as recommended. Many patients view BBL as part of their ongoing skin wellness routine—similar to professional facials, but with transformative results.

Dr. Diane and our team focus on helping you maintain those results for the long term, emphasizing prevention, protection, and a tailored treatment rhythm that keeps your skin consistently radiant.

What Areas Can Be Treated with BBL?

BBL isn’t just for the face! It can be used to treat multiple areas of the body, including:

• Face
• Neck
• Chest
• Arms
• Legs
• Back
• Hands

Different Types of BBL Treatments at Plastic Surgical Associates

At Plastic Surgical Associates, we offer several BBL treatment options tailored to different concerns:

• Forever Young BBL™ – Targets pigmentation, age spots, and sun damage to give skin a more youthful look.
• Forever Clear BBL™ – Designed specifically for stubborn acne and acne scars.
• Forever Bare BBL™ – A gentle and effective option for permanent hair reduction.
• SkinTyte II™ – Helps tighten areas of loose or sagging skin.

During your consultation, we’ll work with you to choose the best BroadBand Light Therapy treatment for your needs.

What Can I Expect After a BroadBand Light Therapy?

Immediately after your session, your skin may appear slightly pink or warm to the touch—similar to a mild sunburn. Brown spots and freckles often darken temporarily before flaking away naturally over the next week, revealing a clearer, more even complexion beneath.

You can apply makeup the next day, and most patients resume their normal routines right away. We recommend avoiding hot tubs, saunas, and vigorous exercise for the first 24–48 hours, and applying a high-quality sunscreen daily, as your skin will be more sensitive to sunlight.

One of the biggest benefits of BroadBand Light Therapy is that there is little to no downtime. A single session can take as little as 15 minutes, though the duration may vary based on the treatment area. While most patients do not require topical anesthetic, it is available for those with sensitive skin.

How Long Does It Take to See Results?

If you’ve been wondering, what can I expect after a BroadBand Light Therapy session?

Results can start appearing within a few days to two weeks, depending on the condition being treated. For issues like pigmentation and redness, improvements can often be seen relatively quickly.

However, for concerns like acne scarring and skin laxity, full benefits may take several months as collagen production increases and the skin continues to heal. Many patients require multiple sessions for optimal results, with maintenance treatments recommended periodically to sustain improvements.

Broadband Light Side Effects

While BroadBand Light Therapy is generally safe, some minor side effects may occur, including:

• Increased sun sensitivity for a couple of weeks
• A mild sunburned appearance
• Mild swelling
• Temporary skin sensitivity

These effects are temporary and usually subside quickly, making BBL a convenient option for those with busy schedules.

How Much Does Broadband Light Therapy Cost?

The cost of BBL varies depending on the size of the treatment area, the number of sessions required, and your customized treatment plan. During your consultation at Plastic Surgical Associates, we’ll provide a personalized cost estimate based on your goals and needs.

Ready to Transform Your Skin with Broadband Light Therapy?

If you’re looking for a powerful, non-invasive way to rejuvenate your skin, Broadband Light Therapy could be the perfect solution. At Plastic Surgical Associates, Dr. Diane Duncan and our expert team specialize in customizing BBL treatments to help you achieve your desired results with minimal downtime.

Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward brighter, healthier skin!