In the field of Aesthetics, there are multiple modalities for treatment. Laser and light therapies comprise a significant portion of the available aesthetics treatments I perform at Revolutions Naturopathic. I often encounter confusion as to what these treatments are and the differences between them. BBL (Broadband Light), IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and
Their energy is divergent. It spreads out (like the light from a streetlamp or flashlight). photofacial are three terms for a class of device that is not a true laser, but a light source. Here’s how they are different from a laser:
- It is polycchromatic ~ It is comprised of a mixture of wavelengths all at one time.
- It is visible light on our electromagnetic spectrum. You can see it.
- It reacts with many targets, including melanin (brown spots), oxyhemoglobin (redness), and water.
- A flash lamp is used to produce light energy of many wavelengths at the same time. Therefore, one piece of equipment can do several different types of treatments (photorejuvenation, skin tightening, acne therapy and hair removal) because it is able to target multiple depths in the skin.
- IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. BBL stands for Broadband Light. These are both very similar, but BBL is typically more powerful and more precise than IPL. A BBL-based system is more customizable and allows the practitioner to create a more specific treatment for each concern.
A laser has certain qualities that distinguish its capabilities from that of light sources (BBL & IPL).
- Its energy is collimated, meaning, the size of the laser stays the same through time and space. On a flashlight or streetlamp, the light emitted from these sources spreads out into a predictable arc, whereas the beam of a lecturing laser pen stays the same size when pointed from any location within the classroom ~ the beam does not expand or arc with distance.
- It’s monochromatic ~ Meaning, “One Color.” It is precisely one wavelength, which is unique to laser light.
- It’s invisible ~ you can’t see the laser pen as it passes through the air up to the blackboard in class.
- It reacts with only one target ~ water. Since skin cells are made up of 99% water, they are vaporized on contact. This is what makes a laser a great tool for addressing texture-it will literally remove the layers of cells to change the texture.
Although it has many capabilities, if your concern is texture, fine lines or wrinkles, a laser treatment is your best bet. If your concerns are related to coloration, a BBL would likely be your treatment of choice.