What is the difference between IPL and BBL?

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. 

BBL is a form of broadband light treatment made by Sciton. In my practice,  I utilize the Palomar Icon platform for IPL, generally considered the most powerful IPL device.  Both devices produce good results in the right hands.  Stating that BBL is superior is questionable. 

Hello Csaus,Thank you for posting your question. IPL/BBL are one in the same. The manufacturer of BBL is Sciton. There really is no difference. Things to consider with photo facials is who is performing the procedure and their credentials, how many have they done, is this the right treatment for my skin type? These are important questions to ask during a consultations because in the wrong hands the treatment comes with high risks. I would suggest consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area. Hope this helps!Best wishes,Dr. Michael J. BrownNorthern Virginia Plastic Surgeon

BBL is a type of IPL.  I've used different IPL systems and like the BBL best.  It offers several unique advantages, such as integrated contact cooling, the ability to dial in the exact temperature setting for the cooling tip, and the ability to use a small spot size for treatment of a small area.  Many IPLs have only a large rectangular treatment tip and it is difficult to use that to treat small targets when needed.  Many IPLs have only one cold temperature setting for the treatment tip and this may over cool the skin and lead to suboptimal results when treating superficial conditions like brown spots.  The BBL also comes with a variety of filters to choose the exact wavelength range needed to treat a particular condition.  Of course, you also need to consider not just the actual device but who is operating it.  For example, the aesthetician in my Denver practice has been working with me for 15 years and has an immense amount of experience with these types of treatments.  The wrong settings or the wrong technique or the wrong patient selection can lead to poor results or even complications.  In the right hands, BBL provides fantastic results for skin rejuvenation with minimal downtime.

The best way to market is to 'coin' a newer term for essentially the same technology. What's that quote, "there is a sucker borne every minute!"

Broadband light is a newer version of intense pulse light manufactured by Sciton. Many patients find that the BBL treatment produces much better results (and has more diverse applications) than the older ipl systems.