FAQs

BBL/IPL

BroadBand Light/Intense Pulsed Light therapy for sun-damage, pigmentation and rosacea.

Dr Chris Miller
Answered by Dr Chris Miller
Accredited skin cancer doctor

MBBS, MA (Virtual Comm), Grad Cert Hlth Info, Grad Dip Comp Inf Sci

Avoid known photosensitising drugs and chemicals before light-based treatments such as laser, IPL/BBL and LED light therapy. If you are taking these medications, be sun smart every day.

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At Spot Check Clinic, you’ll be treated by a doctor or registered nurse. All of our treating staff are registered with AHPRA and comply with professional and ethical codes of practice.

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Mole removal usually leaves a scar. The extent of the scarring depends on the size and location of the mole and the method used to remove it.

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The cost of mole removal in Australia can vary widely depending on many factors, such as the type, size and location of the mole, the method used to remove it, and whether the "mole" is actually a skin cancer.

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After mole removal, the skin surface is normally water resistant after 3 days. There may be a crust or scab over the wound for 1-3 weeks, and when it separates the skin should normally be intact and level wth the surrounding skin. There may be redness in the area as further skin strengthening occurs. This usually persists for several months to a year.

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Facial moles can be removed, often with minimal scarring. The procedure varies according to the type of mole, whether it's flat or raised, and if a sample of skin needs to be sent to a laboratory for examination.

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Laser treatment is most commonly used to remove flat, benign skin lesions such as lentigines (also known as "age spots") and angiomas (small, benign tumours made up of blood vessels). It can also be used to remove capillaries, which are small blood vessels that are visible through the skin.

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Mole removal is safe. Serious medical complications are rare, and most problems following mole removal resolve in days or weeks.

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Laser mole removal is generally considered safe when performed by a trained doctor, nurse or dermal therapist with laser safety training and qualifications. However, like any medical procedure, there are certain risks and complications that may occur.

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Black moles can be removed by a doctor using a variety of methods. If the mole resembles a melanoma (a type of skin cancer which is often black or partially black) it must be completely cut out and sent to a laboratory for examination by a skin pathologist to determine the diagnosis.

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You can wash your hair after mole removal as long as the area is kept as dry as possible for 3 days. If stitches are in place, the area should not be completely submerged in water.

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IPL can remove some flat pigmented moles (mainly lentigines – also known as freckles or age spots). It's not usually recommended for actual moles because it might not penetrate deeply enough to remove the entire mole and there is a risk of the mole returning. However there is a negligible scarring risk, so for the right type of pigmented skin lesion, IPL is highly recommended.

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Moles can be removed without scarring. Unfortunately, not all moles are suitable for removal using low-scarring techniques and even these techniques can result in scarring in certain cases. An experienced skin cancer doctor or dermatologist can usually examine the mole and discuss scarring risk factors to advise whether it's realistic to expect no or minimal scarring after the removal of a given mole.

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Moles can be removed without surgery. This can be a quick, relatively painless and low-scarring way of removing moles. Non-surgical techniques include IPL, laser, cryotherapy, radiofrequency, and electrosurgery. These procedures aren't suitable for all moles. Any mole that resembles a melanoma must be surgically removed.

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Spider veins (also known as capillaries or telangiectasia) on the face are a common concern. In themselves they aren't dangerous although in some cases they can be a sign of an underlying medical or skin condition.

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Treatment options for small veins on the face include laser, IPL (intense pulsed light), diathermy and possibly prescription creams if the veins are caused by rosacea.

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To calm a rosacea flare-up, it's important to avoid triggers and use a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and skin care strategies. Using cool compresses and gentle, fragrance-free moisturisers and over-the-counter rosacea treatments containing vitamin B3 can soothe itchy, irritated skin.

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One main symptom of rosacea is rosy cheeks, which can cause discomfort and embarrassment. Treatment options for rosacea include topical and oral medications, lifestyle changes, and skincare strategies. Identifying and avoiding triggers, using gentle skincare products, and protecting skin from the sun can also help. Intense pulsed light (IPL) and laser treatments are also effective in reducing redness associated with rosacea.

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There are many causes of spider veins, including sun damage, rosacea, ageing, damage or trauma to the skin and possibly some circulatory system disorders. In many cases, treating the underlying cause (e.g. rosacea) can reduce their appearance, but often specific cosmetic treatments are required.

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Spider veins, also known as "broken capillaries" or telangiectasia, are small dilated blood vessels that appear as red, blue, or purple web-like patterns on the skin's surface. They don't usually go away on their own over time. In many cases, they persist and may even worsen if left untreated.

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Laser treatment for broken capillaries in Melbourne generally costs between $120 to $500 per session, depending on the size of the area to be treated. In certain circumstances, if the treatment is provided by a doctor it may be partially covered by Medicare.

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After laser treatment for capillaries, it's normal to experience some redness and a mild sunburn-like sensation. Less commonly, swelling, and bruising might occur. The time it takes for the broken capillaries to disappear after laser treatment can vary; some people see a dramatic improvement after a single treatment, but in most cases multiple treatments are required to give the best outcome.

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Liver spots, also known as age spots or solar lentigines, are dark, pigmented patches that appear on the skin. They are caused by excess melanin production due to sun damage and the natural aging process. Although they are not harmful, they can be a cosmetic concern for some people.

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Dark patches on the skin can be caused by various factors, including age, sun damage, and hormonal changes. These patches are commonly known as liver spots or sun spots, and they can make the skin appear dull and uneven. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the appearance of these dark spots, including BBL (BroadBand Light) and laser treatment.

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Lentigines, often called "sun spots", "age spots" or "liver spots" are dark patches that appear on the face, hands, chest and other areas exposed to the sun over a long period. They are a cosmetic concern rather than a health risk, but they can be unsightly. They can usually be removed effectively and without scarring with laser, intense pulsed light or BBL (BroadBand Light).

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BBL (also known as BroadBand Light), is a type of laser treatment that is commonly used to address a variety of skin concerns, including pigmentation, sun spots, age spots, rosacea, capillaries, lax skin and more. This non-invasive procedure uses intense pulsed light to target pigmented structures in the skin and stimulate collagen production, resulting in clearer skin with better consistency and fewer fine wrinkles.

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Laser, intense pulsed light and BBL (BroadBand Light) are effective ways of treating skin pigmentation. The time it takes for pigmentation to fade following treatment varies according to skin type, the darkness and the type of pigmentation.

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Both sun spots and skin cancer can be caused by prolonged sun exposure, and both may appear as flat brown patches on the face, hands, chest and other areas of sun-exposed skin. Skin cancer can grow and sometimes spread to other parts of the body causing serious illness or death, while sun spots are harmless and primarily a cosmetic concern.

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BBL and laser are both light-based treatments used in facial rejuvenation, treating pigmentation, unwanted blood vessels and rosacea. In practical terms, BBL is a good general treatment for a large area of skin, allowing therapy of multiple skin concerns in one session. Laser tends to be more intense and is used for individual lesions of concern or some conditions unresponsive to BBL.

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Dark patches on the skin have many causes including sun exposure, dermatological and medical conditions. Treatment for lightening dark patches varies according to the cause. Light-based treatments such as laser, IPL and BBL can be useful, but in some cases, topical products are more effective.

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It's often possible to permanently remove a specific age spot with treatment, but further sun spots are likely to appear in the future without proper sun protection. However, laser, IPL and BBL treatments are effective options for lightening dark patches on the skin caused by sun damage, ageing, or genetics.

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BBL is a form of intense light treatment that targets unwanted pigment and other skin structures. It's a quick and relatively comfortable compared with some other treatments such as laser. BBL can be successfully used in the management of age spots (also called sun spots, liver spots or lentigines), blood vessels, rosacea, fine wrinkles, acne, loose skin and unwanted hair.

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Sun spots (lentigines, age spots, liver spots and solar keratoses) are common patches on the skin resulting usually from long-term sun exposure. Most sun spots are normal and a cosmetic concern only, but some are potentially pre-cancerous.

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IPL (intense pulsed light) is a treatment for skin conditions which uses multiple light wavelengths at high energy to target and destroy unwanted skin structures. BBL is a relatively new and more advanced form of IPL with several advantages including advanced cooling and an "in motion" option which allows smoother and faster treatment.

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The number of BBL or laser treatments required to achieve optimal results varies depending on skin type and the condition being treated. Small lesions such as angiomas can be treated with a smaller number of treatments, while long-established skin conditions such as rosacea may require multiple treatments.

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The “best” treatment for facial pigmentation depends on various factors, including the cause of the pigmentation, the cost of the treatment, the number of sessions required, and the location of the treatment. Patients should consult with an experienced doctor to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for their specific needs.

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Beauty spots are clusters of pigmented cells on the skin. Some people like them, some don't. There are different ways to remove them, such as surgery, laser, cryotherapy, or electrocautery. BBL is a type of laser that can treat beauty spots and other skin conditions. It uses light energy to destroy the pigment cells and stimulate skin regeneration.

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The cost of BBL treatment in Melbourne varies according to multiple factors including the size of the area to be treated, the number of treatments required and the experience and qualifications of the treatment provider.

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Some skin improvement starts within a few days of IPL treatment, but the complete effects may take weeks to appear. Treatments usually need to be repeated over a period of months for maximum benefit.

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Intense pulsed light (IPL) and laser therapy can effectively treat broken capillaries, prominent facial veins and redness of the face. We use BBL (BroadBand Light) IPL and vascular laser treatment to target capillaries, reduce redness and improve complexion with minimal discomfort.

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IPL skin rejuvenation is a non-invasive treatment using bright light pulses to treat skin conditions like sun damage, rosacea, age spots, and wrinkles.

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