BBL™ for Pigmentation Disorders

Tanned skin increases the risk of blisters, redness, or permanent unwanted pigmentation. Therefore, avoid extensive sunbathing four weeks before BBL™ treatment and refrain from using self-tanners two weeks prior. To prevent photoallergic or phototoxic reactions, it is also essential to stop taking any medication that might increase skin photosensitivity for at least one week before treatment. This includes some antibiotics (doxycycline, ciprofloxacin), acne medications containing tretinoin (Retin-A) or isotretinoin (Aknenormin, Ciscutan, Roaccutan), St. John’s Wort preparations, and many psychotherapeutic drugs.

After a thorough skin analysis, the BBL™ treatment is performed on an outpatient basis at our practice. First, a cooling contact gel is applied to the skin areas to be treated. The flash lamp emits concentrated pulses of light via a handpiece. High-performance light filters limit the effective wavelength to the desired spectrum for each application. To ensure not only optimal treatment results but also your comfort, the sapphire glass applicator is continuously cooled while in contact with your skin. The light pulses penetrate the skin surface and are converted into heat when they reach the pigmented tissue. This allows the energy to be applied directly against age spots, rosacea and acne, while the skin surface and surrounding tissue remain unharmed. In addition BBL™ enhances collagen induction and promotes skin tightening.

Depending on the size of the area treated, BBL™ sessions usually take about 15 to 45 minutes. Based on the chosen treatment method, several sessions at intervals of two to four weeks may be needed to achieve the desired results.

No. Applying a cooling gel beforehand or, if necessary, a highly effective numbing cream, ensures that BBL™ treatments are almost painless. You may only notice mild sensations like tingling or a slight momentary pinch.

A mild sensation of warmth and possible redness after a BBL™ session are harmless and usually subside within hours. If further sessions are required, avoid direct sunlight until the full course of treatment is finished to reduce risk of complications such as blisters or long-term pigmentation. Since skin is highly sensitive to UV light after BBL™, the treated areas must be protected for six weeks with high-SPF sunscreen.

Usually, you can return to your normal activities immediately after a BBL™ session. Any warmth or redness will subside within hours and is harmless. There might be some bruising. Makeup can be reapplied right away. Depending on the number of sessions, intense UV exposure should be avoided until treatment is complete, and high-SPF sunscreen should be used. 

Pigmented spots are unsightly but harmless irregularities of the skin caused by a localized overproduction of melanin. Since their occurrence increases with age, they are also called age spots. Genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, or unhealthy lifestyles can favor pigmented spots, but the most frequent cause is UV radiation from the sun. The body produces melanin to protect itself from UV rays before they penetrate deeper skin layers. Pigmented spots are thus most often found on areas heavily exposed to the sun such as the face, back of the hands, forearms, and décolleté.

The number of sessions depends on the size of the area and the desired effect, and can only be determined after a thorough skin analysis. Typically, one to three sessions are enough to remove unwanted age spots with BBL™.

The duration depends on the size of the area being treated and is usually between 15 and 45 minutes. In general, one to three BBL™ sessions are sufficient for optimal results.

Improvements in the treated areas can often be seen a few days after BBL™ treatment. The final results will be visible one to two weeks after the last session.

There is a minimal risk of over-treatment, which could lead to lighter, depigmented areas. When performed by an experienced specialist, such as Christiane Kersten or Peyman Bamdad, BBL™ treatment is very well tolerated. Temporary risks include mild redness and swelling that settle quickly. In rare cases, mild burns may occur, resulting in blisters similar to sunburn. Healing can be aided with cold compresses and a moisturizer. Temporary pigment changes such as darker spots that crust over after two or three days can occur. These are also not permanent – the crust will fall off in one to two weeks, revealing healthy new skin underneath.

Treatment with Sciton® BBL™ is among the most innovative methods for non-invasive treatment of sun damage and rosacea . While very safe and well established abroad, it is mainly found in the USA.

Typically, our patients are between 25 and 75, or as young as age 16 in cases of acne treatment.

The cost of BBL™ treatment starts at €550. The exact price depends on the desired treatment and the required number of sessions, which is only determined after a detailed examination in our clinic.

In general, public insurance doesn’t cover the costs. Some private insurances might cover the costs, at least partially.