Skin Concerns
Treats sun damage, brown spots, age spots, freckles, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma (with caution), rosacea, diffuse facial redness, broken capillaries, spider veins, and early signs of photo-aging. Also helps active acne by reducing the bacteria responsible for breakouts. For deeper lines, scarring, or significant skin laxity, MOXI laser, RF microneedling, or HALO resurfacing are typically better suited.
Ideal Candidate
Best for Fitzpatrick skin types I–IV with visible sun damage, brown spots, redness, or rosacea. Not recommended for darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick V–VI) due to risk of pigment change, on actively tanned or recently sun-exposed skin (wait 4–6 weeks), during pregnancy or breastfeeding, while taking photosensitizing medications (Accutane within 6 months, certain antibiotics), with active herpes simplex outbreaks, or over recently treated areas. We avoid melanin-rich skin with this device — if BBL isn’t right for your skin type, your provider will recommend an appropriate alternative.
Treatable Areas
Face, neck, décolleté (chest), hands, arms, shoulders, and back. The most common combinations are Face, Face & Neck, and Face, Neck & Chest. Hands and chest show some of the most visible sun damage and respond very well to BBL. Discuss any area not listed at your consultation — coverage is determined by handpiece size and treatment session length.
What BBL Is & How It Works
BroadBand Light® (BBL) is Sciton’s advanced intense pulsed light (IPL) platform — the gold standard in photofacial technology. It delivers a precisely calibrated spectrum of light energy through interchangeable filters, allowing your provider to target specific concerns: pigment (brown spots, sun damage), vascular issues (redness, rosacea, broken capillaries), or both in the same session.
The energy is selectively absorbed by melanin in pigmented lesions and hemoglobin in blood vessels — not the surrounding skin. Pigmented spots darken, then flake off over 7–14 days. Treated vessels and redness fade. As a secondary benefit, the heat from each pulse stimulates fibroblasts to produce new collagen, improving texture and firmness over time.
What sets Sciton BBL apart from older IPL devices: a built-in sapphire-crystal cooling tip that keeps the skin surface comfortable during treatment, more precise filter selection, and a published 10-year Stanford study showing that consistent BBL maintenance (the “Forever Young BBL” protocol) keeps skin looking measurably younger by reversing gene expression associated with aging. Every BBL session at ELLEMES is performed by a licensed esthetician trained on the Sciton platform.
The Benefits
Pigment Correction
Targets melanin in brown spots, sun damage, age spots, and freckles. Spots darken within hours, then flake off over 7–14 days to reveal clearer skin.
Vascular Reduction
Targets hemoglobin in diffuse redness, rosacea, broken capillaries, and spider veins. Visible vessels collapse and clear over 1–3 sessions.
Collagen Production
Light energy stimulates fibroblasts to produce new collagen. Skin tone, texture, and firmness improve gradually over the months following treatment.
What BBL Treats Best
BBL is most effective for these specific concerns. If your primary issue is something else, we’ll tell you and recommend a better-suited treatment.
Sun Damage & Age Spots
Cumulative sun exposure produces the brown spots, mottled pigmentation, and uneven tone known as photo-damage. BBL is one of the most effective treatments available for this concern. The light energy is absorbed by melanin in the damaged areas; spots typically darken within hours, then naturally exfoliate off the skin over the following 1–2 weeks. Visible improvement is usually seen after a single session, with significant clearing over a series of 1–3.
Rosacea & Facial Redness
Diffuse facial redness, flushing, and the visible blood vessels associated with rosacea respond very well to BBL. The light targets hemoglobin in the dilated vessels, causing them to collapse and reabsorb. While BBL doesn’t cure rosacea (a chronic condition), patients typically see significantly reduced redness and a calmer baseline complexion after a series of 2–3 sessions. Maintenance treatments every 6–12 months help keep redness controlled long-term.
Broken Capillaries & Spider Veins
Tiny broken vessels on the cheeks, around the nose, and on the chin are extremely responsive to BBL. The vascular filter selectively targets the vessel without damaging surrounding skin. Most isolated capillaries clear in a single session. More extensive networks may need 2–3 sessions. The treatment is fast and tolerable — sapphire-crystal cooling keeps the skin surface comfortable throughout.
Uneven Tone & Texture
Even if you don’t have distinct spots or visible redness, BBL improves overall skin tone and clarity. The combination of pigment correction, vascular reduction, and collagen stimulation produces a more uniform, glowing complexion. This is the rationale behind the Forever Young BBL maintenance protocol — consistent treatment over years keeps skin looking measurably younger than untreated skin of the same age.
Acne & Active Breakouts
Specific BBL filter settings target P. acnes, the bacteria that drive inflammatory breakouts. BBL can reduce active acne lesions, decrease inflammation, and help clear post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (the brown marks left behind after breakouts heal). It’s often used as part of a broader acne protocol that includes topical treatments — your provider will guide you on the right approach for your specific acne pattern.
Fine Lines & Photo-Aging
BBL’s collagen stimulation softens fine lines and improves overall firmness gradually over months. It’s most effective on early photo-aging (mild texture, fine lines around the eyes, minor laxity). For deeper wrinkles or significant laxity, MOXI laser, HALO resurfacing, or RF microneedling produce more dramatic results — your provider may recommend one of those as a primary treatment with BBL as a complementary pigment/redness solution.
BBL vs. Traditional IPL
BBL is the next generation of intense pulsed light. Sciton built it to address the limitations of older IPL devices: inconsistent results, surface heat that limited energy delivery, and broader spectrum filters that weren’t precise enough for specific concerns. Here’s how they compare in practice.
The Stanford study published in 2022 showed that patients receiving consistent annual BBL maintenance had skin that expressed genes more similar to younger skin than chronologically expected — the most robust clinical evidence supporting long-term photofacial maintenance from any IPL device.
What to Expect: Before, During & After
A BBL session at ELLEMES takes 20–30 minutes. Here’s the process from prep through to maintenance.
Preparation
Avoid sun exposure, self-tanner, and tanning beds for 4–6 weeks before treatment — BBL cannot be performed on tanned or recently tanned skin. Discontinue retinoids 3–5 days prior. Bring a list of current medications — certain antibiotics and prescription acne treatments increase photosensitivity. Arrive with clean, makeup-free skin if possible.
Skin Assessment & Settings
Your esthetician evaluates your Fitzpatrick skin type, the specific concerns you want addressed, and selects the appropriate filter and energy settings. Treatment goggles protect your eyes throughout the session. A test pulse confirms your skin responds appropriately to the chosen settings.
The Treatment
Light pulses are delivered in overlapping passes across the treatment area. The sapphire-crystal cooling tip presses gently against the skin, keeping the surface comfortable while energy is delivered into the targeted pigment or vessels. Most patients describe each pulse as a warm rubber-band snap — tolerable, no anesthetic needed.
Pigment Darkens & Flakes
Brown spots and sun damage typically darken within a few hours, sometimes appearing more pronounced before they clear. Over the next 7–14 days these darker spots naturally exfoliate off the skin like coffee grounds — do not pick or scrub. Redness improvement is typically visible within days; full vascular response settles over 2–4 weeks.
Series & Maintenance
For significant sun damage or rosacea, plan on 1–3 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart for full initial clearing. Long-term, 1–2 maintenance sessions per year (the Forever Young BBL protocol) preserve results and slow new pigment formation. Daily SPF 30+ is non-negotiable to protect your investment.
Immediately After
Expect mild pinkness for a few hours, similar to a light sunburn. Brown spots will darken before they flake — this is the treatment working. Use a gentle cleanser and rich moisturizer for 3–5 days. Strict sun avoidance and broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily for at least 2 weeks (and ideally always). Skip retinoids, exfoliants, and exercise that raises body heat for 24–48 hours. Do not pick the flaking pigment — let it shed naturally. Full aftercare on our post-care instructions page.
BBL Cost in Atlanta
Single-session pricing by treatment area. Consult with your esthetician about packages for series treatments or annual Forever Young maintenance.
BBL Face
Full-face BBL targeting pigment, redness, or both. Most-requested option for sun damage and rosacea.
- 20–30 minute appointment
- Cheeks, forehead, nose, chin
- Pigment + vascular filters as needed
- Sapphire-crystal cooling included
BBL Face & Neck
Face plus the neck — an area with significant sun damage that should always be treated alongside the face for an even result.
- 30 minute appointment
- Full face + neck
- Best for visible sun damage on neck
- Series of 1–3 for full clearing
Face, Neck & Chest
Full face, neck, and décolleté. The chest shows some of the most visible photo-damage — treating it with the face avoids tonal mismatch.
- 30–45 minute appointment
- Face + neck + décolleté
- Ideal for chest sun damage
- Most comprehensive single visit
Add-on areas
- ✓ Hands — commonly added to face treatments for unified rejuvenation
- ✓ Arms or shoulders — for visible sun damage from outdoor exposure
- ✓ Targeted spot treatment — isolated lesions or single broken capillaries
Pricing for add-on areas confirmed at your consultation based on coverage size.
Significant sun damage or rosacea typically benefits from a series of 1–3 sessions for full initial clearing. Long-term Forever Young BBL maintenance (1–2 sessions/year) is the protocol the Stanford study validated for sustained anti-aging benefit.
Who Performs This Treatment
Every BBL session at ELLEMES is performed by a licensed esthetician trained on the Sciton platform.
How Often & Why
A single session shows you how your skin responds, what kind of clearing you can expect, and whether a series is warranted. Many patients with mild concerns see meaningful improvement from just one treatment.
For significant sun damage, rosacea, or extensive vascular concerns, a series of 3–5 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart produces the most comprehensive clearing. Each session builds on the last.
Once cleared, 1–2 annual maintenance sessions preserve results and slow new pigment formation. This is the protocol validated by the Stanford 10-year study showing measurable long-term anti-aging benefit.
Your esthetician will recommend the right cadence after your first session, based on how your skin clears and the underlying drivers of your concerns. For patients with deeper texture issues alongside pigment, pairing BBL with MOXI laser or RF microneedling addresses both concerns in the same maintenance cycle.
BBL Questions
What to know before booking BBL at ELLEMES Medical Spa in Atlanta.
What is BBL and how is it different from regular IPL?
Is BBL safe for all skin types?
How many sessions will I need?
Does BBL hurt?
What does the downtime look like?
Can I have BBL if I’m tan?
What’s the difference between BBL and MOXI?
When You’re Ready
Schedule a BBL consultation at our Sandy Springs clinic. Your esthetician will assess your skin, confirm BBL is the right approach, and recommend the treatment area and session plan.
Book a Consultation →Or call (470) 222-6581