Laser, IPL, BBL.. aren’t they all the same?
There is a big misconception in this industry. Laser is a word that is often used for laser treatments and non-laser treatments! It saves time having to explain the difference I suppose?
We all get the idea, there is a machine involved and it most likely has a zap when it touches your skin. So do you really need to know the difference?
Personally, I think it's good to know exactly what is happening to you when you have a treatment and there are some pretty important health and safety issues to think about considering these machines can cause damage!
It is also important to know that you can purchase machines that look and feel like the machines I’m talking about from online websites and far off countries for cheap!! But they often lack the basic safety features that can prevent an injury.
Now that I think about it, it is REALLY IMPORTANT, that you know what you are getting yourself into when you opt for laser or pulsed light treatments. So let’s delve into the basic information and differences between them.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), Broadband Light (BBL) and Laser. Let’s start with IPL and BBL.
IPL and BBL both use multiple polychromatic (many colours) wavelengths, typically 400-1500nm to target melanin (pigment), haemoglobin (blood) and water in the skin, sometimes all at once! This makes it a versatile, all-round, non-invasive treatment.
IPL and BBL light is delivered in milliseconds (slow when compared with some lasers). IPL came first and BBL/BBL HERO (high energy rapid output) came along second. A newer technology and generation of pulsed light with improved cooling, comfort and safety features. Basically making the traditional IPL machine seem a little clunky for the operator and the person receiving the treatment!
Intense Pulsed light is non-ablative, meaning it heats up the underlying skin tissue without harming the surface. It is traditionally hot and zappy. Think of a decent ‘ping’ of a rubber band flicking onto your skin. Newer BBL HERO technology has considerably improved the comfort and safety of the zap. Essentially both methods use light to penetrate the skin, transforming it to heat and damaging its designated target. This sparks a healing and detoxifying response from the body and creates the desired result.
Laser is just one monochromatic wavelength. Laser devices historically came with just the one wavelength, targeting the same things as pulsed light but only one at a time. This made for an interesting decision process for clinics wanting to buy one… what would they be most interested in targeting?? But with improved modern technology you can now find one device that with a change of settings will emit either of two or more wavelengths. And depending on the device, it will deliver them in milliseconds, nanoseconds or picoseconds (fast!!!).
Lasers, due to the single wavelength are more specific in their targeting, more uniform and simple in a way! They have one job to do and they do it with the utmost accuracy and precision.
Lasers can be non-ablative, fractionated, ablative or a mix! They can give a treatment with little to no downtime, or a different laser can ablate the surface layers of your skin causing you to stay at home recovering for a good couple of weeks!
Whether it’s an IPL, BBL or laser device, they are all amazing inventions. Technology is constantly improving and moving forward and becoming accessible to everyone. Gone are the days of needing an operation for skin rejuvenation, now there are other options and they are seriously good!!
I recommend doing your research and finding the best technology available for your treatments. Not only will it give you the best result but it will be safer. You can also place a very good bet that the clinic has done their research and is educated! Because some of these machines are worth more than your apartment, and no one is going to invest that much unless they know how good it really is! That is my experience anyway!
I hope that gives you some insight! There’s more to come!
Caroline x