Caucasian female with very fair skin - Is my redness better suited for vbeam or bbl? (Photos)

Hi! Dr Peterson here - Thank you for sharing these details. Based on what you describe—persistent redness, flushing, swelling with heat, burning, and transient red bumps—it sounds like you may have developed a component of rosacea or post-inflammatory vascular reactivity in the area that was previously lasered. The accompanying hyperpigmentation and mild texture change are also consistent with post-laser sequelae.
For vascular symptoms (redness, flushing, and small red bumps), vascular-targeting lasers such as VBeam (pulsed dye laser) are usually more effective than BBL. VBeam specifically targets blood vessels, reduces background redness, and can improve flushing and post-laser vascular changes.
BBL (broadband light) can help with overall redness and pigment, but in cases where there is burning, flushing, and vascular reactivity, I would lean toward VBeam first, as it is more precise and tends to give more durable vessel reduction.
Both devices can help, but the best approach is often a stepwise plan: • VBeam for vascular reactivity and redness • Adjunctive topical regimen (anti-inflammatory rosacea therapies, pigment suppressors if needed) • Consider BBL or gentle pigment-targeting modalities later once vascular stability is improved
The most important next step would be a consultation with a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist or laser specialist who can evaluate your skin in person, confirm whether rosacea-like changes are present, and tailor the energy settings carefully given your prior sensitivity.