Are brown sun spots easier to treat with BBL (broadband light) or IPL after use of skin lighteners and glycolic?

Question

I've been using non-hydroquinone skin lighteners and glycolic daily for several months and my brown sun spots have faded somewhat. I'm considering BBL or IPL to finish the job and wonder if the spots now might be more responsive to laser treatment? Might it take fewer or less strong laser treatments?

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your
question.Both BBL and IPL work equally well in skilled hands.  It is the Energy, wavelength and pulse duration that make a difference.  I also recommend contact cooling as the best way to protect the surface of your skin.

To be sure, see
two or more board-certified providers in your area for a complete evaluation to
make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have these
treatments.

I hope this helps.

Benjamin C. Marcus, MD · Answer

Absolutely.BBL is often very effective after pre-treatment with topicals such as hydroquinone. I also find it useful to continue with topical treatment after the procedure.Hope that helps!!

Roberta Del Campo, MD · Answer

Broad Band Light/Intense Pulsed Light is a highly effective treatment for sun spots.  Effectiveness may be increased when used in combination with either hydroquinone or hydroquinone free topical treatments.  Most importantly a daily broad spectrum sunblock should be used to maximize the treatment and to prevent new lesions in the future.

F. Victor Rueckl, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

It's not necessarily the type of device, but the wavelength that the heads of the machine target. For instance, many IPL machines are in the 600-700 range, but most brown and reds are in the 500 range. So if the IPL doesn't have a handpiece that will hit this range, the majority of the brown will not be targeted and therefore not as effective. I recently got a new machine called InMode Lumecca. I've had it a few weeks and it's better than any other IPL or BBL I've used or had - and I've had A LOT of machines over the years. It targets at 515 or 580, so right in the sweet spot. There are not many of them around yet, but if you can find someone with that machine, that is what I recommend. "This answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and 
cannot be held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person 
treatment with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."

Are brown sun spots easier to treat with BBL (broadband light) or IPL after use of skin lighteners and glycolic?

Answers (4)

Answer: Broadband Light vs IPL for Brown Spots

Answer: Broadband Light vs IPL for Brown Spots

Answer: Time to do it

Answer: Time to do it

Answer: BBL/IPL for brown spots

Answer: BBL/IPL for brown spots

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Answer: Does BBL or IPL treat brown spots better

Answer: Does BBL or IPL treat brown spots better

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Are brown sun spots easier to treat with BBL (broadband light) or IPL after use of skin lighteners and glycolic?

Answers (4)

Answer: Broadband Light vs IPL for Brown Spots

Answer: Broadband Light vs IPL for Brown Spots

Answer: Time to do it

Answer: Time to do it

Answer: BBL/IPL for brown spots

Answer: BBL/IPL for brown spots

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about BroadBand Light (BBL)

Answer: Does BBL or IPL treat brown spots better

Answer: Does BBL or IPL treat brown spots better

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.