The Science of BBL HERO™: Everything You Need to Know
Amidst the struggle with signs of ageing, uneven skin tone, stubborn acne, and the harmful effects of UV exposure, finding effective solutions can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Enter BBL HERO™. Standing for BroadBand Light High Energy Rapid Output™, this advanced iteration of BroadBand Light therapy by Sciton is a respite for those struggling with a wide range of skin issues.
Designed to go beyond the superficial, BBL HERO™ taps into the skin’s inherent repair mechanisms and offers a non-invasive path to achieving clear and radiant skin.
What Is BBL HERO™?
At its core, BBL HERO™ is an enhanced form of BroadBand Light (BBL) which uses intense, pulsed light (IPL) technology. IPL uses a high-output flashlamp to generate a broad spectrum of light penetrating deep into the skin.
The high-output flashlamp in BBL HERO™ is calibrated to deliver rapid light pulses which cells within the skin absorb and convert to heat. This then triggers the body’s natural healing response.
How Exactly Does BBL HERO™ Work On Skin Conditions?
From the common frustrations of pigmentation to the complex challenges of vascular conditions and beyond, BBL HERO™ tailors its light-based therapy to the unique needs of your skin.
Here’s a closer look at the mechanisms of BBL HERO™ and how it treats various conditions:
Sun Spots, Age Spots, And Freckles
For pigmentation issues like age spots, sun spots, and freckles, BBL HERO™ uses light energy absorbed by melanin—the pigment responsible for the skin's colour.
The heat generated from this absorption process breaks down the melanin clusters that form the pigmented lesions. Over time, these lesions darken and flake off, or are absorbed by the body,
Spider Veins, Rosacea, And Cherry Angiomas
BBL HERO™ also effectively treats spider veins, rosacea, and cherry angiomas by targeting the oxyhemoglobin in the blood vessels.
The heat produced collapses the vessel walls that the body reabsorbs. This diminishes their appearance on the skin’s surface and reduces overall redness.
Acne
BBL HERO™ is also a popular option for fighting acne and acne scars. The light energy emitted from the device targets acne-causing bacteria, helping to clear up breakouts and prevent the recurrence of future ones.
Further, BBL Hero can also reduce the inflammation associated with acne and promote healing, minimising acne scars.
Wrinkles And Fine Lines
The thermal effect of the IPL technology on the dermal layer of the skin activates fibroblasts to produce new collagen. This process reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while enhancing skin elasticity and firmness.
As the light energy penetrates the skin, it revitalises these essential proteins, resulting in smoother, more supple, and younger-looking skin in the target areas.
BBL HERO™ vs Microneedling: Which is Better?
Feature
Microneedling / Skin Needling
BBL HERO™ (BroadBand Light)
How It Works
Involves fine needles that create micro-injuries in the skin. This stimulates collagen and promotes cell turnover
Uses broadband light energy to target pigmentation, rosacea, skin laxity, and acne.
Main Benefits
Smoothes skin texture, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, minimises scars (acne, stretch) and improves organic collagen production
Targets sun spots, freckles, pigmentation, redness (rosacea), broken capillaries, and improves overall skin tone
Best for
Acne scars, fine lines, enlarged pores, stretch marks, and overall skin rejuvenation
Pigmentation, redness, sun damage, uneven skin tone, improving firmness, and healing acne conditions
Pain level
Mild to moderate discomfort as tiny needles pierce the skin
Minimal discomfort; likened to a warm snapping sensation
Downtime
1-3 days of redness, mild swelling, sensitivity, and potential flaking or peeling which resolve on their own
Mild redness for a few hours post-treatment
Number of sessions
Typically 4-6 sessions, depending on your specific skin concerns
Typically 2-4 sessions, depending on your specific skin concerns
Skin tone suitability
Safe for all skin tones. Those with medium-to-dark skin tones or prone to hyperpigmentation may need to prep their skin with a melanin inhibitor
Safe for most skin tones, but not for dark complexions
Who should avoid it
Not recommended for those with active acne, infections, or certain skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis
Not ideal for individuals with recent sunburns or those sensitive to light-based treatments
When choosing between BBL HERO™ and Microneedling / Skin Needling, it’s not so much about which is the better treatment, but rather which one’s right for your skin. Each plays a unique role in addressing different concerns and the best choice depends on your skin’s needs.
Both Microneedling / Skin Needling and BBL HERO™ have their place in a personalised treatment plan and offer complementary benefits. BBL Hero uses light energy to target and improve skin conditions, whilst microneedling instigates a wound healing response to harness the skin's natural regenerative powers. When used together, they provide a comprehensive approach to rejuvenated skin.
What’s the Difference between BBL HERO™ and Forever Clear?
Forever Clear is not actually separate from BBL HERO™, but is one of several specialised BBL HERO™ treatments. BBL HERO™ is the technology, while different BBL treatments (like Forever Clear) target specific concerns.
Types of BBL HERO™ Treatments
Forever Clear BBL HERO™: A three-step acne treatment which uses blue, yellow, and infrared light to target acne-causing bacteria. At Laser Clinics Australia, our Forever Clear BBL HERO™ treatment helps reduce acne-causing bacteria, calm inflammation, and promote skin healing through infrared light collagen stimulation.
Forever Young BBL HERO™: Helps reverse and slow down ageing by delivering light energy deep into the skin. It stimulates collagen production and cellular regeneration, improving skin texture, and overall radiance. It’s a non-invasive alternative to surgery or injectables.
Forever Flawless BBL HERO™: Designed to target pigmentation, freckles, age spots, rosacea, and vascular conditions, this treatment uses BBL HERO™’s thermal energy to break down excess melanin and reduce redness. It also helps stimulate natural collagen production to improve skin texture.
What’s the Difference between Moxi and BBL HERO™?
Moxi is a gentle laser treatment while BBL HERO™ is a high-powered light-based treatment that offers faster, more dramatic results with minimal downtime.
How It Works
Moxi is a non-ablative, fractional, 1927 nm (nanometre) laser that creates tiny coagulation zones or areas of heat damage in the skin. These trigger the skin’s natural repair processes. Moxi is a light resurfacing treatment that typically involves the use of numbing for comfort. Following the procedure, some downtime may be expected, along with temporary redness and flaking as part of the healing process.
Meanwhile BBL HERO™ is a powerful, light-based technology that delivers intense light pulses to target pigmentation, redness, sun damage, and signs of ageing at the cellular level. BBL HERO™ works both on the surface and deep within the skin to stimulate collagen, address pigmentation, and improve texture.
Skin Concerns
Moxi treats:
Pigmentation
Sun damage
Uneven skin tone
Uneven skin texture
Signs of ageing
BBL HERO™ treats:
Moderate to severe sun damage
Redness (rosacea, broken capillaries)
Fine lines
Freckles
Skin laxity
Acne and acne-related inflammation
PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)
Benefits
Moxi can be done on all skin tones as a corrective, mild resurfacing treatment. It’s effective for early signs of ageing, mild pigmentation, and moderate texture improvement.
BBL HERO™ on the other hand, is both corrective and preventative. It targets pigmentation, redness, acne, sun damage, and signs of ageing at the cellular level. With little-to-no downtime, it allows you to resume your daily routine almost immediately, making it convenient if you live a busy lifestyle.
Is BBL HERO™ Safe?
BBL HERO™ is considered safe for use in aesthetic and dermatological applications. The design features advanced cooling techniques and precise control over the intensity and wavelength of the light pulses.
Overall, these checks minimise the risk of burns or unwanted skin damage. As a non-invasive treatment, BBL HERO™ also does not involve cuts or needles, reducing the risk of infection and complications.
BBL HERO™ is a safe, efficient, and non-invasive solution for skin concerns like hyperpigmentation, acne, wrinkles, fine lines, and a host of other issues.
With its innovative technology, BBL HERO™ not only addresses specific dermatological issues but also empowers individuals with a renewed sense of self and a burst of confidence in one’s skin.
Our team of expert Doctors, Registered Nurses, and Therapists dedicate ourselves to crafting a Tailored Treatment plan aligning with your unique skin needs and aesthetic goals.
Ready to embrace a more confident and vibrant you? Book a consultation at Laser Clinics Australia today!