BBL™(Broadband Light) Spot

Pigmented lesions can be treated with the selective absorption of light in melanin. The absorption converts light into heat energy, which raises the temperature of the target. With appropriate settings, the temperature will be high enough to alter and damage the target (melanin) resulting in its elimination.

Pigmented lesions are treated by selective destruction of melanin or melanocytes with short high-intensity light pulses.

When the BBL is used to treat pigmented lesions, there is heat build-up in tissue from the absorption of light energy in melanin and surrounding melanocytes. The heat then dissipates into the surrounding tissue.

The spots or areas to be treated will be determined with our aesthetic doctor – Dr Kim before the treatment begins. Your eyes will first be protected with safety shields and metal goggles. Then a cooling gel will be evenly applied to the treatment areas. The handpiece has CoolComfort™ Technology which enables continuous monitoring and control of the temperature of the sapphire crystal in contact with your skin. When the handpiece makes contact with your skin, you will feel a cool sensation and a very short duration of heat and light when the energy is delivered to your skin. This can be described as a “rubber band snapping on your skin” as the light energy is absorbed by the targeted areas.

Repeated shots may be required in the same spots for treatment.

The procedure is gentle, non-invasive and safe. Utilising the CoolComfort™ Technology, accurate cooling of the crystal in contact with your skin can lower the temperature of your skin just before the energy is delivered, reducing discomfort and risks of side effects seen after treatment with IPL machines without this feature. This cooling also helps to reduce the discomfort immediately after the pulse of energy is delivered. Precisely engineered parabolic optics allow uniform delivery of energy for consistent results and minimised pain.
With BBL™ and its above features, there is no need for a topical anaesthetic.

The number of treatments needed will vary from patient to patient and your physician will personalise a treatment plan based on the level of improvement you desire. The minimal interval between sessions is approximately 4 weeks. It is important to remember that there is no “cure” for pigmentations which are a part of all skin. The goal is to lighten targeted areas and maintain them afterwards.

Immediately after the procedure, you may notice darkening of the spot and mild redness around the treated area. The redness should resolve within a few hours. However, the darkening of the spot will continue and may even darken more over the next 1 week. After which, the brown pigmentations of the spot will seem to look like it is “peeling” off for 3-7 days and eventually reveal a lighter spot.

There is no requirement for you to stay indoors or avoid cosmetic application after the treatment. (Again, this is a NON-invasive treatment so there are no needles, no blood, and no bruising after the treatment.) You can return to work, apply makeup and resume most of your activities immediately, though it is advised to avoid exercise 1-2 days before and after the treatment. For effective results, our aesthetic doctor recommends patients avoid excessive, prolonged sun exposure 2-3 weeks before and after the treatment.

There is no special aftercare needed in terms of topical applications. The most important thing to avoid is UV radiation from sun exposure, especially immediately after the procedure. Do note that even weeks or months after the procedure, it is well-advised to avoid excessive, prolonged sun exposure even with sunblock applied. Depending on your skin condition and sun exposure, you may develop darker pigmentations in the treatment areas. You are advised to apply sunblock every 1-2 hours when outdoors and avoid outdoor exposure, especially during the peak sunlight hours of the day.