Photo Facial (Forever Young BBL): BroadBand Light (BBL) is used to treat sun-damaged and aging skin. The pulse of light energy delivered by BBL will be gently absorbed by the unwanted melanin responsible for pigmented lesions in the upper layers of your skin. This light energy gently heats the targeted melanin and coagulates the surrounding tissue. During the next few days the pigmented lesions will darken and fall off. This process will help restore your skin to its natural state.
By selecting the appropriate wavelength or filter, Dr. Capuano can treat a broad range of skin pigmentation conditions caused by hormones, skin aging and sun exposure. Scientific evidence demonstrates that regular maintenance treatments with photo laser therapy will functionally rejuvenate your skin and delay skin aging. In a study performed at Stanford University, biopsy specimens from the dermis of aged patients treated with repeated sessions of Forever Young BBL showed similar gene expression to much young patients. Forever Young BBL allows patients to experience quick recovery with smoother, healthier, and more vibrant skin.
BBL stands for Broad Band Light, it is also known as IPL which stands for Intense Pulsed Light, quite simply they are laser mechanisms of the same origin by different companies. The portion of the laser that houses the Broad Band Light is used to treat various skin concerns using energy and light at varying wavelengths and frequencies as the method of correction.
The photofacial may be best for you if you are interested in improving the damage to your skin due to age, the sun or hormones. Your skin type (Fitzpatrick I-V) is relevant when deciding if this procedure can be performed on your skin. Your skin type can be decided by answering our skin type questionairre, in which we will advise you if you are a candidate. Click on the "patient info" section below and "Skin typing" form, fill out and submit.
Contact the office of the Northern Center for Plastic Surgery at (201)820-5280 to schedule an appointment. If you are unsure if you are a good candidate for this procedure, feel free to make an appointment for a consultation with our Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Aaron Capuano, MD.
You may schedule an appointment with Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Aaron Capuano, who will address your surgical needs.
The treatment typically takes approximately 30 minutes, and is not painful but you will feel discomfort similar to a rubber band snapped on your face. For best results, a series of three to six treatments are recommended at 4 to 6 week intervals followed by a maintenance program every 4 to 6 months. Pigmented spots will typically darken shortly after the treatment, and will flake and fall off in 7 to 10 days. There is no social down time following treatment.
Great question. There are studies that have information to prove both yes and no. If you were to decide to eradicate your melasma with a photofacial, it would take you years and years of repeated photo therapy. You would be in essence chasing the melasma around your face, while also risking areas of permanent hypo-pigmentation and or worsening the melasma. That is the road less traveled by many as there are many studies that are still testing the efficacy of photo-therapy and permanence with regard to melasma.
On the other side of this answer, one would not treat with lasers but use chemical peels like Z.O.'s 3 step peel to bring the melasma to the surface and allow it to slough off.
An increasing percentage of women are presenting to our office with melasma. We find that if it is recognized and treated before it gets too deep in the dermis it can be managed very effectively. Unfortunately there is no "cure" for melasma. It is a skin condition that requires ongoing treatment to help contain flare ups and managed them more effectively. We recommend to keep your skin healthy with skin products that are backed by science and regimens that are tailored to specific skin conditions like Melasma.