BBL® treatment

We offer non-invasive skin treatments using BBL at our Glasgow clinic that assist in reducing visible signs of ageing and restore a natural and youthful complexion. BBL is the universal skin rejuvenation treatment that almost all of our patients would benefit from. The great thing is that there is usually no downtime, which makes it ideal for patients who are at the earlier stages of ageing, as well as those who have had more invasive treatments and just want to maintain the results.

We offer non-invasive skin treatments using BBL at our Glasgow clinic that assist in reducing visible signs of ageing and restore a natural and youthful complexion. BBL is the universal skin rejuvenation treatment that almost all of our patients would benefit from. The great thing is that there is usually no downtime, which makes it ideal for patients who are at the earlier stages of ageing, as well as those who have had more invasive treatments and just want to maintain the results.

At a glance

Every patient is unique, and during our consultation process, we work with you to develop a bespoke treatment plan based on what you want to achieve.

Duration

15 - 20 minutes

Anaesthetic

Cooling gel

Downtime

None

Length of results

Long term, although maintenance suggested every 6 months

Pricing

From £350 per session

How Does It Work?

A patient before and after treatment at McKeown Medical.

BBL skin rejuvenation treatment

In our practice, we believe that results matter. That’s why we’ve invested in the BBL® HERO™ (Broadband Light; High Energy Rapid Output) device from Sciton, the Rolls Royce of laser manufacturers. Skin rejuvenation using this laser device offers a far more advanced treatment than traditional IPL therapy.

The BBL Hero offers some of the most sophisticated IPL photorejuvenation technology available. It works by pulsing high energy light into the skin, breaking down pigments and blood vessels whilst simultaneously stimulating collagen production. It is an excellent treatment to simultaneously target age spots, blood vessels, facial redness and enlarged pores, as well as for creating a smoother, more even skin texture.

The best part of the treatment is that it has virtually no downtime — and it can be used on any part of the body. Along with reducing the signs of sun damage on the face, we can also use BBL to treat the chest, arms and legs. Anywhere you have ageing or sun damaged skin, BBL can help.

A patient before and after treatment with BBL SkinTyte at McKeown Medical.

Global skin rejuvenation with Sciton BBL

BBL, which stands for broadband light, is a universal skin rejuvenation treatment that most patients would benefit from. Treatments can target issues such as pigmentation, rosacea, pores, texture, acne and thread or spider veins, as well as overall improvement of skin quality. There is also a SkinTyte function built into the BBL system, and most sessions end with a pass of SkinTyte to help improve the firmness of the skin. Whilst this will not result in instant, dramatic skin shrinkage – over time and with multiple treatments, it helps prevent laxity and improves what is already there.

BBL is, to all intents and purposes, a more advanced version of IPL — intense pulsed light. IPL is one of the most underrated skin treatments in aesthetic medicine for skin rejuvenation, however, IPL is more painful and less effective, which is why we upgraded to BBL.

The Sciton device is a market leading system with some of the most extraordinary technology to allow us to deliver skin health to our patients. This has multiple skin rejuvenation treatments including solutions for fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, acne scarring, sun and nicotine damaged skin, and more. BBL is the technology that a study from Stanford University showed not only makes the skin look younger, but changes the genetic expression of the skin cells to make them behave genetically more youthfully too.

A patient before and after treatment at McKeown Medical.

How does BBL laser treatment work?

The Sciton BBL treatment is a cutting-edge corrective treatment used to address and treat a broad range of skin concerns, such as dull skin, dark spots, sun damage and skin ageing, while also enhancing and brightening your skin tone.

BBL treatments are safe, as they work by rapidly emitting a broad spectrum of light energy that targets and heats the outer layer of the skin. Once the light is absorbed, collagen production is stimulated and boosted, which then works to repair skin. Light is also absorbed by pigments in the skin too – both red spots and brown spots – effectively shattering the pigment and clearing the complexion..

By stimulating the body’s natural collagen and elastin production in this way, BBL can help improve your skin’s firmness, pigmentation and elasticity, while also helping reverse some of the signs of ageing

Which conditions can BBL treat?

Issues that BBL can treat or assist with include:

  • Broken blood vessels
  • Capillaries
  • Pigmentation and sun spots
  • Pores and skin texture
  • Skin firmness
  • Skin tightening
  • Acne outbreaks
  • Vascular lesions
  • Age spots and brown spots

When imagining what youthful skin looks like — it is clear, even and free from imperfections like blood vessels and hyperpigmentation. BBL is the treatment that can help to restore that in a minimally invasive way.

A patient before and after treatment at McKeown Medical.

How effective is BBL?

BBL treatment results have shown it to be a highly effective treatment when it comes to reducing the appearance of skin conditions and issues such as pigmented lesions and broken capillaries.

Learn more about this treatment

See BBL in action: this video shows one of our patients who wanted to improve pigmentation, broken blood vessels, redness and texture issues.

Patient Reviews

Hear from our patients about their experience at McKeown Medical.

Are you ready to start your consultation?

Finding the right treatment for you is the most important factor in ensuring that you are on the correct path to achieve the results you desire. Our pre-consultation form helps us to identify your needs and, ultimately, gets you on the right path to achieving your optimal results.

Pricing

Your treatment plan will be tailored to your individual needs and the results you are looking to achieve.

Click to see our full price list for BBL treatments.

BBL Treatment

From £350 per session

What to Expect

How many treatments do I need?

Most patients will have a course of 3 treatments, each spaced about a month apart. When you have completed your initial course of treatment, we typically recommend maintenance treatments.

A single maintenance session every 6-12 months can help you maintain the results and keep up the collagen stimulation.

How does the treatment feel?

Each pulse of light feels like a mild snap against the skin. Sometimes when we are targeting specific blood vessels or patches of pigmentation, the energy level can feel a little hotter, but overall most patients describe the discomfort level as 2 or 3 out of 10.

It takes about 15-20 minutes to treat a full face and a little more if we are also treating the neck and chest.

Recovery & Aftercare

Recovery & Aftercare

One of the biggest advantages of BBL laser therapy is that there is virtually no downtime. Any pinkness or redness typically resolves within a matter of hours and the only visible sign that anything has happened is that any pigmentation normally goes darker for a few days before fading away. Occasionally, patients with sensitive skin can develop swelling for a day or two afterwards but most patients have no swelling.

It is recommended that you avoid sun exposure for the first few weeks following your BBL treatment.

Common Questions

Does it only work on damaged skin?

The amazing thing about BBL is that it is such a universal treatment. For someone who already has good skin quality and is just looking for some maintenance, it is an excellent option. Equally, for someone who has more moderate or severe damage, but doesn’t want to have the downtime associated with more aggressive types of lasers, BBL can be carried out to achieve a nice improvement that will get better over time.

Even when using more invasive lasers, the treatment can be started with a session of BBL as it will generally improve the results of other treatments too. It truly is the universal technology that almost anyone with ageing skin will benefit from.

This treatment is popular among male and female patients to achieve restored, healthy, youthful skin.

Which body parts can be treated?

As well as being used on the face, Broadband Light (BBL) treatments can also be carried out on pretty much any other part of the body too. Treatment areas include:

  • Neck
  • Abdomen
  • Back
  • Arms
  • Legs
  • Decollete
  • Buttocks

What skin types can BBL treat?

BBL treatments can safely treat those with skin types 1 (white skin) to 5 (brown skin) according to the Fitzpatrick scale. Those with darker skin tones, such as skin type 6, should avoid a broadband light treatment as this could lead to hyperpigmentation problems.

The McKeown Medical team will advise you about the best route for your skin type in your consultation.

How is a BBL skin treatment different to IPL?

There are a number of physical differences between the two technologies but the best way to think of it is that BBL uses a wider range of light filters, which means it is more adaptable and is able to treat more things accurately and more precisely.

The reason that it is less painful is because it is more adaptable and customisable. The energy can be turned down because it is a more accurate tool. This also means that multiple passes can be performed on the skin, treating multiple issues in a single session. A typical session will involve 3 or 4 passes, targeting different issues.

Is BBL treatment painful?

During a BBL face treatment, as with all other treatment areas, you will experience a little discomfort. Prior to the treatment, a cooling gel will be applied to the treatment area, while the BBL device itself also has a cooling sapphire on the end of its applicator to help keep the skin cool.

The experts in facial aesthetics at our Glasgow clinic are here to answer any queries you have about a BBL treatment for your face or body.

These BBL treatments are safe, as they work by rapidly emitting a broad spectrum of light energy that targets and heats the outer layer of the skin. Once the light is absorbed, collagen production is stimulated and boosted, which then works to repair skin and balance pigment levels.

By stimulating the body’s natural collagen and elastin production in this way, BBL can help improve your skin’s firmness, pigmentation and elasticity, while also helping reverse some of the signs of ageing.

What should I expect after my BBL treatment?

Following treatment, your skin will typically be a little red and you may have some swelling. These are usually very mild and resolve within a few hours, so most people can get back to work and normal activities straight after their treatment.

Occasionally — particularly for patients who have a lot of sun damage on their skin — the swelling can be a little more intense after the BBL treatment, in which case a couple of days of downtime might be better. If we think you might fall into this category, we will let you know at the time of your consultation so you can plan ahead for your recovery.

Your Expert Team

Founder

Dr Darren McKeown

Our founder, Dr Darren McKeown, is renowned for his expertise and artistry with dermal fillers. As a peer-reviewed medical author, he is passionate about treatments that stand up to scientific scrutiny. Above all, Dr McKeown believes in a global approach; delivering flawless results – and rejuvenation that lasts.

Medical Director

Dr Rhona Cameron

Dr Rhona Cameron is a skilled injector who has been extensively trained in Dr McKeown’s signature intuitive technique. Her treatments blend advanced facial optimisation with powerful, energy-based devices – such as lasers, BBL and radio frequency – energising the appearance and enhancing skin health. approach; delivering flawless results – and rejuvenation that lasts.

Some other areas of specialism

BBL SkinTyte

HALO Laser Treatment

Full laser resurfacing

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