What's the difference between IPL and BBL? Which is better for removing brown spots?

Question

Daniel J. Givens, MD · Answer

There are many brands of laser and light devices, and some brands set themselves apart by "branding" their treatments.  BBL stands for Broad Band Light, and IPL for Intense Pulsed Light.  Sciton's BBL is the trademarked name for their version of IPL.  Sciton BBL along with Cynosure IPL are some of the most popular and effective IPL treatments on the market.  The Cynosure MaxG IPL is a very effective treatment for removing pigmented spots, as it delivers a constant steady stream of energy instead of spikes of energy that can cause burns with some other devices.  It can be tuned to treat both brown pigment and red vessels and flushing in the same session.  Both the MaxG and Sciton BBL use contact cooling via a sapphire crystal to make the procedure very comfortable.  Both treatments if performed 2-4 times per year can maintain the skin and prevent photoaging, actually activating cellular repair genes within the skin cells.  Seek consultation with a board certified core physician such as an ENT Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dermatologist, or general Plastic Surgeon in your area and they can recommend the best treatment for your skin.

Best Wishes

Hooman Khorasani, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.
IPL (intense pulse light) and BBL (broad band light) are the same type of treatment under different names. These treatments work well for improving skin tone, reducing redness and erasing brown spots.
As always, an in-person consultation with a board certified dermatologist with cosmetic training is the best way to assess your needs and provide medical advice.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

IPL or intense pulsed light and BBL, broad band light are just two different broad band light therapies that are marketed by different manufacturers. The question of which of these two is better for removing brown spots completely side steps the issue of what therapies may actually be at least as effective, less expensive and even quicker in many cases. The use of superficial peeling agents, such as full strength glycolic acid, TCA 15%-25%, and Jessner's solutions, particularly the latter two, all have a very long (going back decades) history of tried and true use for treating blotchy, irregularly pigmented skin and solar lentigines (sun/age-related) brown spots. Relatively expensive, bells and whistles supposedly "next best thing to come along" are not necessarily either the most cost effective, quickest or least expensive way to treat these kinds of unwanted spots. You would do well to seek consultation with a board certified aesthetic physician in order to more fully discuss all options available, rather than jump to the industry-supported marketing hype that surrounds so much of the new light and energy-based devices out there. Best of luck to you.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

IPL refers to a broad spectrum device that is good for treating brown and red spots on the skin. BBL is a brand of an IPL device. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Usually a combination is needed to treat brown spots including lasers with microneedling/prp and peels. Best, Dr. Emer

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

IPL or intense pulsed light is a device that utilizes a broad spectrum of light to address brow and red pigmentation in the skin.  The quality of the result will depend on the operator of the machine and the quality of the device.  We use a Palomar Icon, which is a powerful IPL device and we have seen very good results in treating telangiectasias and brown spots.  BBL represents broad band light, and is manufactured by Sciton, but is also considered a very good device.

What's the difference between IPL and BBL? Which is better for removing brown spots?

Answers (10)

Answer: Brown spot removal with lasers, peels, microneedling/prp--IPL Versus BBL

Answer: Brown spot removal with lasers, peels, microneedling/prp--IPL Versus BBL

Answer: IPL and BBL

Answer: IPL and BBL

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about IPL

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

What's the difference between IPL and BBL? Which is better for removing brown spots?

Answers (10)

Answer: Brown spot removal with lasers, peels, microneedling/prp--IPL Versus BBL

Answer: Brown spot removal with lasers, peels, microneedling/prp--IPL Versus BBL

Answer: IPL and BBL

Answer: IPL and BBL

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about IPL

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