Broadband Light at Winston-Salem's Best MedSpa and What the Research Says About Keeping Your Skin Younger
Most of us think of skin aging as a one-way street. Two studies of broadband light suggest it may be possible to slow the trip. Here is what the research found.
What is Broadband Light?
Broadband light is an advanced form of intense pulsed light (IPL) made by Sciton. Filtered pulses of light are absorbed by the brown pigment and small red vessels that sun exposure and age leave behind. The skin then clears them naturally, leaving a more even, brighter tone. Because the light also stimulates the skin's renewal process, the intense light is used both to correct existing damage and as ongoing maintenance.
The Stanford study: younger-acting genes
In 2012–2013, a team led by dermatologist Anne Lynn Chang, MD, at Stanford University School of Medicine published a pilot study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
Five women received three BBL treatments on one forearm, spaced four weeks apart.
Skin biopsies compared treated skin, untreated skin on the same arm, and skin from younger volunteers under 30.
In the treated skin, the activity of many genes linked to aging shifted toward the pattern seen in the younger volunteers' skin.
In plain terms, BBL did not just change how the skin looked; it changed how the skin cells were behaving, in a younger direction. It was a small, early study that measured one point in time, so it is a promising signal rather than final proof.
The long-term study: patients who kept it up
A separate study by Patrick Bitter Jr., MD, and Jason Pozner, MD, published in Cosmetic Dermatology in 2013, looked at 15 patients who had an initial BBL series and then at least one full-face maintenance treatment a year for 5 to 11 years.
Nearly 500 blinded evaluators, including physicians and members of the public, guessed each patient's age from before and after photos.
Over the study period the patients' actual median age rose from 46 to 55.
Evaluators estimated the median age of their treated skin at 45, about 10 years younger than their real age.
The authors concluded that regular maintenance may reduce and delay visible signs of skin aging. This was also a small study, and some authors had ties to the device maker, but its message matches what we see in practice: consistency matters.
Correct first, then maintain
We build every BBL plan in two phases:
Correct: a series of 3 to 6 treatments, about four weeks apart, to clear existing sun spots, brown spots and redness.
Maintain: one quicker treatment each season to keep new damage from building back up. If you have little sun damage today, you can start here.
What BBL treats
Sun spots, age spots and freckling
Redness, flushing and small visible vessels
Uneven, dull skin tone
Early fine lines and loss of glow
We treat the face, neck, décolleté, arms, hands and legs.
What to expect
Most treatments take under an hour, depending on the area. You can expect mild redness for a few hours. Brown spots darken and flake away over about one to two weeks. Most people return to normal activities the same day. Sun protection before and after treatment is essential.
Is BBL right for you?
BBL works best on lighter to medium skin tones that are not tanned. Some medications, recent sun exposure and certain skin conditions mean we will adjust or postpone treatment. That is why every plan at Innovative Aesthetics MD starts with a consultation directed by Maryanne W. Lindsay, MD, a board-certified physician who tests and studies every device before offering it to patients.
Frequently asked questions
How many BBL treatments will I need?
Most patients need a correction series of 3 to 6 treatments about four weeks apart, followed by maintenance treatments every three months.
Is there downtime?
Very little. Expect redness for a few hours and darkened spots that flake off over one to two weeks. Most people return to normal activities the same day.
Does BBL hurt?
Most patients describe a quick warm snap, similar to a rubber band. The handpiece cools the skin during treatment.
When is the best time to start?
Fall and winter are ideal, when sun exposure is lowest, so you can finish your correction series before spring.
Results: Before & Afters
Dr. Lindsay specializes in Broadband Light Laser treatments, also known as photofacials or photorejuvenation, to reduce the visible signs of aging without surgery, downtime, or discomfort. This FDA-approved, best-in-class medical device helps skin look youthful and radiant.
Book your consultation
Ready to brighten your skin and keep it that way? Call us at (336) 817-5385 or book online to schedule your BBL consultation in Winston-Salem.
References
Chang AL, et al. Rejuvenation of gene expression pattern of aged human skin by broadband light treatment: a pilot study. J Invest Dermatol. 2013. PubMed
Bitter P Jr, Pozner J. Retrospective evaluation of the long-term antiaging effects of BroadBand Light therapy. Cosmetic Dermatology. 2013. Read the study
Individual results vary. This article is for general information and is not a substitute for a medical consultation.
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