SKIN TREATMENTS
BBL for pigmentation and redness
BBL HERO uses medical-grade light to treat sun damage, uneven pigmentation and selected types of redness.
- Targets sun spots and uneven pigmentation
- Reduces visible vessels and rosacea-related redness
- Uses tailored passes for overall skin quality
Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a non-laser technology that delivers controlled pulses of broad-spectrum light to the skin. BBL is Sciton’s form of IPL technology.
At Spot Check Clinic, we use Sciton BBL HERO. Our comprehensive face treatment is tailored to your skin and may use different filters and settings across multiple passes to address pigmentation, redness and overall skin quality. Individual spots are also treated where appropriate.
Pigmentation treatment approach
For selected discrete or resistant pigmented spots, laser pigmentation treatment may be recommended instead of, or alongside, BBL.
If freckles or age spots are the main concern, see our freckle and age spot removal guide.
Conditions treated
BBL is commonly used to treat visible signs of sun exposure and superficial vascular changes, including:
- Lentigines (freckles and age spots)
- Uneven pigmentation and sun damage
- Rosacea-related redness
- Telangiectasia (visible surface vessels)
More than one of these concerns can be addressed during the same treatment when appropriate.
The treated skin typically appears clearer and more even in tone following a course of treatment.
BBL is not a treatment for skin cancer and does not replace skin checks or established treatment for precancerous lesions. Medical assessment determines whether visible pigmentation is suitable for BBL treatment.
Skin rejuvenation and overall skin quality
BBL can improve the overall clarity, tone and texture of sun-damaged skin.
During a comprehensive face treatment, passes using rejuvenation settings may be combined with separate passes selected for pigmentation and redness.
Clinical studies suggest that repeated light-based treatments such as BBL may stimulate collagen production and influence cellular activity associated with skin ageing.
Patients may notice:
- More even skin tone
- Reduced visible pigmentation and redness
- Improved skin texture
- A clearer, brighter overall appearance
Results usually develop over a course of treatments. Some patients choose occasional maintenance treatments to help preserve the improvement.
BBL does not replace surgical lifting procedures and does not significantly tighten markedly lax skin.
What is intense pulsed light?
Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a non-laser technology that delivers controlled pulses of broad-spectrum light to the skin. BBL is Sciton’s advanced IPL platform.
Unlike a laser, which uses a single wavelength, BBL uses filtered light that can be adjusted to target different structures within the skin, including:
- Brown pigment, such as sun spots and freckles
- Red pigment within superficial blood vessels
The target absorbs the light energy and converts it to heat. This damages the unwanted pigment or vessel while limiting disruption to the surrounding skin.
A comprehensive BBL treatment may combine:
- Multiple passes across the treatment area
- Different filters and settings for pigmentation, redness and skin rejuvenation
- Focused treatment of individual spots where appropriate
The BBL HERO system includes integrated cooling to protect the skin surface and improve comfort. Protective eyewear is worn throughout treatment.
How BBL targets blood vessels and pigmentation within the skin.
MBBS, MA (Virtual Comm), Grad Cert Hlth Info, Grad Dip Comp Inf Sci
Technology and treatment approach
At Spot Check Clinic, we use the Sciton BBL HERO platform. It allows controlled and even delivery of light energy across larger treatment areas, but the device itself is only one part of the treatment.
BBL is not a standardised, one-setting procedure. The clinician selects the filter, energy, pulse duration, cooling and number of passes according to:
- The condition being treated
- The treatment area
- Your skin type
- Your skin’s response during treatment
The visible treatment endpoint during BBL can be subtle. The clinician therefore observes the skin throughout the procedure and adjusts the approach where appropriate.
This balance is important: settings that are too conservative may limit results, while excessive treatment increases the risk of burns or unwanted pigment changes. Treatment settings are reviewed at every session rather than being automatically repeated.
What to expect during treatment
- Protective eyewear is worn throughout treatment.
- A cooling gel is applied and the handpiece delivers brief flashes of light against the skin.
- Treatment may involve several passes using different settings for pigmentation, redness and skin rejuvenation.
- Individual spots may receive additional focused treatment where appropriate.
- Each pulse may feel warm or slightly sharp, but the sensation usually settles quickly due to integrated cooling.
- Treatment time depends on the area and the treatment approach selected.
After treatment
- The treated skin may appear mildly red, warm or slightly swollen for a short period.
- Pigmented spots often darken temporarily before flaking or fading over the following 1–2 weeks.
- Visible improvement develops gradually, usually over a series of treatments.
- Your clinician will advise when another treatment or review is appropriate.
How to prepare
Proper preparation is essential for safe and effective treatment.
All patients undergoing BBL treatment must follow our standard preparation protocol.
View full preparation instructions
Failure to follow preparation guidelines may result in your treatment being deferred.
Before and after
These photographs show individual Spot Check Clinic patients before and after treatment for sun damage, uneven pigmentation and facial redness.
Each treatment plan was tailored to the condition being treated and may have included topical treatment, BBL or laser.
Results vary between patients.
Spot Check Clinic patient before and after BBL treatment for sun damage and uneven pigmentation.
Spot Check Clinic patient before and after BBL treatment for facial redness associated with rosacea
Spot Check Clinic patient before and after a single BBL treatment for facial redness associated with rosacea
Side effects and warnings
Contraindications and precautions
BBL is not suitable during pregnancy. It may also be unsuitable for people with photosensitivity, light-triggered migraine or epilepsy, recent tanning, or medication that causes light-induced rash or skin sensitivity.
BBL requires additional caution in darker skin types because of the greater risk of unwanted pigmentation changes, and may not be suitable in some cases.
Tell your doctor if you have a history of cold sores, light sensitivity or reactions to previous laser or light-based treatments. Suitability is assessed before treatment.
Expected temporary effects
Most patients experience some redness, warmth or a mild sunburn-like sensation for several hours. Temporary swelling can occur, particularly beneath the eyes.
Pigmented spots commonly become darker before flaking or fading over the following 1–2 weeks.
Less common risks
Less common risks include:
- Bruising
- Blistering or burns
- Prolonged redness
- Temporary or persistent pigment changes
- Cold sore reactivation in susceptible people
- Eye injury if protective eyewear is not used correctly
BBL may reduce hair growth within the treated area. Treatment is therefore not recommended over areas where you want to maintain full hair growth.
Many of the conditions treated with BBL are long term. Results vary, and maintenance treatment may be beneficial in the future.
Common questions about BBL
What is the difference between BBL and laser?
Laser uses a single wavelength of light to target a specific structure in the skin.
BBL (a form of IPL) delivers filtered broad-spectrum light, allowing treatment of pigmentation, redness and overall skin quality in larger areas.
Suitability depends on the condition being treated and will be discussed at consultation.
References
- Chang ALS, Bitter PH, Qu K et al Rejuvenation of gene expression pattern of aged human skin by broadband light treatment: a pilot study. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 133 (2) 394-402, 2013.
- Bitter P, Pozner J Retrospective evaluation of the long-term antiageing effects of broadband light therapy. Cutis, supplement February 2013. Pages 34-40.
Assess sun damage before treatment
Sun damage and pigmentation can look similar to other skin conditions. Doctor assessment confirms the diagnosis and whether treatment is suitable. No referral is needed.
Book a skin condition assessment