One of the latest and most advanced skin treatments by Sciton, BBL HERO® was designed to rejuvenate the skin and treat a wide range of conditions quickly, efficiently and with no or low downtime.
The technology was developed by the leader in energy-based medical aesthetics. So, it’s not surprising that BBL HERO is exceptionally good at what it does. This year alone, it has received the Good Housekeeping 2023 Beauty Award in the ‘Spectacular Skincare’ category as the best “Rejuvenating Pro Treatment.”
Knowing this, BBL HERO seems like a great stand-alone treatment for anyone looking to rejuvenate their skin or treat problems like acne, rosacea, spider veins and skin laxity. But is it possible to pair BBL HERO with other treatments for superior results?
BBL HERO®: The Basics
BBL HERO is an advanced version of Sciton’s original BBL technology. The name itself stands for Broadband Light High Energy Rapid Output. Broadband light, also known as intense pulsed light, is a gentler alternative to laser treatments with many unique benefits. The addition of HERO technology has made BBL four times faster, three times stronger and two times safer than its predecessor.
While BBL HERO is a light-based treatment, it differs from traditional lasers in several respects:
- It’s non-ablative, so it’s gentler on the skin
- While laser “resurfaces,” BBL “rejuvenates”
- BBL can treat a wider area of skin in less time
- It can treat multiple skin concerns at once
- It’s suitable for every skin type and tone
- No or little preparation and downtime is involved
- It increases the expression of over 1,900 genes involved in healthy and youthful skin
When it comes to uses, BBL HERO can seemingly do it all when it comes to improving the skin. This is why it was nicknamed the “Swiss army knife of aesthetics.”
The device comes with multiple filters and finesse adapters to deliver different wavelengths of light at different depths to treat a multitude of skin concerns — all in a single session and on a larger area than possible with a laser. Problems treated with BBL HERO include:
- Freckles and sun spots
- Hyperpigmentation
- Dull complexion
- Cherry angiomas
- Rosacea
- Acne
- Aged skin texture and fine lines
Can You Combine BBL HERO® With Other Treatments?
In short, yes! And there are cases where this should be the default.
According to Sciton, their treatments can be safely combined for the best skincare regimen. Providers often combine BBL HERO with Sciton’s laser treatments:
- Thulium lasers
A gentle yet powerful fractionated laser, Thulium is best for “prejuvenation” as part of a preventive protocol. This laser delivers non-ablative energy to remove the first signs of aging and sun damage. - Other lasers
BBL can be combined with the VBeam pulse dye laser and the long pulse Nd:Yag lasers to correct a wide array of skin concerns, including fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots and dullness.
The Ridenour Approach to Combination Treatments
At Ridenour Plastic Surgery, we also offer BBL HERO in combination with other nonsurgical treatments.
BBL HERO can treat many problems quickly and efficiently. But there are still aesthetic issues that it cannot address. Examples include wrinkles, facial hollowing, asymmetry and advanced signs of aging. To help our patients achieve their desired results, we often recommend combining BBL HERO with other noninvasive treatments, such as:
Dermal fillers, like Juvéderm® or Restylane®
Patients concerned about fine lines and wrinkles, facial volume loss, thin lips or asymmetry can request dermal fillers alongside BBL HERO. The two treatments combined offer more comprehensive facial rejuvenation than either treatment alone.
Neuromodulators, like BOTOX® or Dysport®
Dynamic wrinkles in the upper third of the face are best treated with neuromodulators. These work by temporarily paralyzing facial muscles, which prevents the skin from creasing. The treatment can correct existing wrinkles or be used as a preventive measure.
Of course, we also offer BBL HERO alongside other light-based treatments. If you have advanced signs of aging or have multiple skin concerns, a combination of different light therapies works best.
Benefits of Combined Treatments
Undergoing multiple treatments usually costs more and takes longer to complete and recover from. So, why should anyone choose combined treatments when BBL HERO promises to do so much for less time and money? While there’s nothing wrong with the BBL HERO as a stand-alone treatment, there are many benefits to choosing combination treatments.
First, combining treatments means better customization. Because every patient is different, treatment should ideally be customized to meet their skin’s unique requirements and to achieve their desired goals.
Secondly, your results will be far superior when you pair BBL HERO with, say, a laser-based treatment. While the former is perfectly capable of treating a plethora of cosmetic issues, it has its limitations. For example, BBL HERO cannot remove the top layer of the skin, which is why it doesn’t work as well on advanced signs of aging.
And lastly, combining treatments allows us to target multiple concerns at once. Have a dull complexion along with wrinkles? BBL HERO with HALO can help you correct both. Want to enhance cheek fullness and get rid of unevenly pigmented skin? This can be achieved by adding dermal fillers to your treatment.
Learn More About BBL HERO® Combos in St. Louis
If you are ready to experience the benefits of BBL HERO in combination with other treatments offered at our St. Louis medical office, feel free to contact us today. Our providers will schedule an appointment where you can discuss your cosmetic concerns and goals with Dr. Ridenour. We will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have about this and other treatments.
