Light
BBL HEROic
BBL HEROic is an advanced BroadBand Light treatment, often called a photofacial, that clears brown spots, sun damage, and redness while stimulating collagen. It’s comfortable and treats the face and body with little to no downtime. BBL is safest for Fitzpatrick skin types I to IV, and for darker skin tones we start with a consultation.
BBL appears to work at the DNA level, shifting the expression of aging-associated genes in treated skin so it more closely resembles the gene expression pattern of young skin.
Pricing confirmed at your consultation
- Full Face
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Chest / Décolletage
- Hands
- Legs
- Arms
- Back
What we useThe Sciton mJoule platform, which runs both BBL and Moxi.
Your treatment, step by step
- 1
Skin check
We review and analyze your skin, then choose our personalized settings accordingly.
- 2
Getting ready
We cleanse your skin and set you up with protective eyewear. The device has built-in cooling but we also have an additional cooling device for additional comfort.
- 3
Treatment
You will see quick, bright pulses of light, and it may feel like a warm rubber-band snap.
- 4
Right after
You may experience some redness and warmth, and brown spots become darker and come to the surface.
Results, and when to expect them
- First days
- brown spots darken, then flake off to clearer skin.
- 2 to 4 weeks
- tone looks clearer and brighter, and redness calms.
- Months after
- collagen keeps refining texture, and a series deepens results.
About 3 sessions to correct, then 2 to 4 times a year to stay ahead of new spots.
Tell us if any of these apply
Because BBL targets pigment with light, both your skin tone and your sun status matter here. BBL is safest for Fitzpatrick skin types I to IV, and for darker skin tones, types V to VI, we recommend a comprehensive consultation first. Tell us at your consultation if any of these apply:
- An active tan, recent sun exposure, or a sunburn in the area (the most common reason to wait)
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Used isotretinoin (Accutane) within the past 6 to 12 months (unless Dr. Ali approves it)
- Medications or supplements that increase light sensitivity
- Need to disclose: active cold sores, open wounds, skin infections, or a rash in the area
- Need to disclose: a history of keloid scarring or slow wound healing
- A history of, or current, skin cancer or suspicious or changing moles
- A light-triggered seizure disorder
Cold sores don’t rule you out. Just tell us so we can arrange preventive medication first.
Before your treatment
Four weeks before
- No active tan or sunburn, so avoid direct or extended sun exposure for 4 weeks before your appointment.
- Wear sunscreen daily in the run-up.
Pausing your actives
- Stop retinols and retinoids, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, AHAs and BHAs, benzoyl peroxide, and hydroquinone:
- 1–2 weeks before if your skin is irritated or inflamed.
- 2 days before if your skin is not irritated.
Tell us first
- If you’ve had recent Botox or filler, wait 2 weeks before BBL.
- If you’re prone to cold sores, let our staff know so we can discuss preventive treatment.
After your treatment, day by day
BBL has very little downtime, but the pigment you came in for gets darker before it clears. Here’s the sequence.
- Day 0Treatment day
Warmth, then quickly calmer
- Redness usually resolves within a few hours.
- Warmth in the first 12 hours: use a cold compress or ice pack if needed.
- For a sunburn-like feel, an ice pack, vitamin E, or aloe helps.
- Makeup, work, and normal activity are typically fine right away.
- Day 1The next morning
Start your gentle routine
- Cleanse twice a day with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser, using your hands in gentle circular motions.
- Apply moisturizer generously and reapply as needed.
- Begin sunscreen the day after treatment: physical, tinted, broad-spectrum SPF 30+.
- Days 2–4Spots darken
This is the treatment working
- Pigmented spots may darken, then fade and flake over the following days.
- Don’t scratch or pick, since it risks scarring and pigment changes.
- No strenuous exercise or sweating until healed.
- Days 5–7Healing finishes
Back to normal
- Follow aftercare until fully healed: about a week on the face, and a little longer on the body.
- Keep avoiding irritants while healing: exfoliants, shaving, extreme-temperature water, and chlorinated pools or spas.
- 2 weeks onwardProtecting the result
Sunscreen is the whole game
- No direct sun exposure for 14 days, since the treated area is more prone to sunburn and pigment change.
- Use a physical, broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily for up to 3 months, and reapply during sun exposure.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and protective clothing.
Do
- Cleanse gently twice a day with lukewarm water using your hands.
- Moisturize generously and reapply as it feels dry.
- Wear physical SPF 30+ every day, starting the day after.
- Use a cold compress, aloe, or vitamin E for warmth and redness if needed.
Don’t
- Scrub, exfoliate, or use cleansing brushes.
- Scratch or pick the darkened spots as they flake.
- Shave or wax the treated area while it heals.
- Use chlorinated pools, spas, or extreme-temperature water.
- Sunbathe, tan, or self-tan for 1 month.
Contact the clinic right away for broken skin or blistering. Keep the area moist and avoid direct sun.
Pairs well with
Products we recommend after BBL
Prime Time (Tinted)
$54Non-negotiable after BBL. A 100% mineral sunscreen for sensitive skin that guards your results and helps prevent new spots. Tinted or non-tinted.
View product
Fresh Start
$108A soothing, ceramide-rich cream that calms skin while spots flake and heal.
View product
Even Intensive
A non-hydroquinone pigment serum that holds the even tone BBL creates, once you’re healed.
Sold in store
C You Later
$105Antioxidant defense against the sun and grime behind brown spots. Add once skin has settled.
View productHold retinols and acids while skin heals. We’ll say when to bring them back.
BBL HEROic FAQ
Does BBL hurt?
It’s very manageable, a quick warm snap eased by cooling and optional numbing.
Can darker skin tones get BBL?
BBL is safest for Fitzpatrick skin types I to IV. For darker skin tones, types V to VI, we recommend a comprehensive consultation to see if a BBL treatment is right for you.
Why do my spots look darker afterward?
That means it's working. Pigment rises, darkens into coffee-ground specks, and flakes away over about a week.
Can I get BBL in the summer?
Year-round, if you’re careful with sun avoidance and daily sunscreen. Any active tan must fade first.
How is BBL different from Moxi?
BBL clears brown spots and redness. We also use BBL for acne and skin tightening. Moxi resurfaces tone and texture. They’re often combined.
Can I do BBL and Moxi in the same visit?
Often, yes. The Sciton mJoule platform runs both, so they can be combined in one appointment. Dr. Ali will confirm whether that suits your skin at your consultation.
What does a series cost?
Pricing depends on the areas treated and how many sessions you need, so we confirm it at your consultation. Memberships and package pricing are available.
This content is educational and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results vary. Consult Dr. Ali or a qualified provider to discuss whether a treatment is right for you.
Results shown reflect this individual's experience and are not guaranteed. Outcomes vary based on skin type, treatment history, and how closely aftercare guidance is followed.