Is this the golden age of laser skin rejuvenation? There are more laser skin treatment options than ever before, and 2 of the most popular choices at our Vero Beach, FL, med spa are Halo® hybrid fractional laser and Forever Young BBL™ (BroadBand Light).
Both advanced procedures improve your skin’s texture, tone, and overall appearance, but they accomplish these goals with different technologies. In fact, many people get the most benefit by combining Halo laser treatment with BBL therapy. In this post, we will compare Halo laser vs BBL, exploring their differences, delving into the recovery process for each, and helping you determine which treatment may be the best fit for your concerns.
What Is a Halo Laser Treatment?
Halo is the first hybrid fractional laser skin resurfacing treatment, providing a powerful and versatile solution for a wide range of skin concerns. The groundbreaking treatment allows you to get excellent results with minimal downtime.
Laser skin resurfacing treatment before Halo fell into 1 of 2 categories:
- A fully ablative laser that vaporized the skin’s surface, producing dramatic results in a single treatment with a lengthy recovery period.
- A non-ablative laser that required multiple treatments to produce marginal results with little downtime.
The hybrid Halo laser offers the best of both worlds. Our laser treatment providers can customize the treatment because Halo includes both ablative and non-ablative laser wavelengths. The fractional ablative laser creates controlled micro-injuries on the skin’s surface, stimulating collagen production and improving texture, while the non-ablative laser penetrates deeper to address pigmentation and tone.
Halo effectively treats:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Sun damage and pigmentation
- Uneven skin tone
- Enlarged pores
- Scarring
The laser provider can adjust the Halo laser treatment’s intensity based on your specific concerns and how much downtime you can afford.
What Is BBL Therapy?
BroadBand Light isn’t technically a laser. It’s a non-invasive light-based treatment that delivers precision light wavelengths that trigger changes at the skin’s cellular level. Its versatility makes it a popular treatment option for a wide range of skin issues, including:
- Sun damage, including age spots and freckles
- Redness and vascular lesions
- Uneven skin tone
- Acne
- Skin laxity
Because BBL therapy penetrates the skin without damaging the surface, it’s gentler than laser skin resurfacing procedures and doesn’t require downtime.
Halo vs BBL: Which Should You Choose?
Whether you should get a Halo or BBL treatment depends on your specific goals. A Halo treatment is best suited for reducing wrinkles and fine lines, minimizing the appearance of acne scars, and improving the skin’s overall texture. The Forever Young BBL procedure’s versatility makes it a good choice if you’re targeting pigmentation, redness, or other complexion issues.
One of the primary differences between the 2 treatments is the depth at which they work. Halo laser penetrates the skin’s superficial and deeper layers, making it more effective for improving the skin’s texture. BBL therapy, on the other hand, bypasses the skin’s surface and heats the skin’s deeper layers. A Stanford University School of Medicine study showed that BBL changes the expression of genes associated with the aging process, resulting in more youthful-looking skin.
Number of Treatment Sessions
The number of sessions required varies between Halo laser and BBL. Halo typically requires 1 to 2 sessions spaced a few weeks apart to achieve optimal results. BBL treatments are often done in a series, with multiple sessions scheduled over a few months, depending on the specific concern being addressed.
Recovery Time
As mentioned earlier, our provider can customize the Halo treatment to require more or less recovery time. Some people want a more aggressive treatment to produce significant results after 1 or 2 sessions. That approach may require several days of downtime that includes peeling skin, redness, and swelling.
Because BBL treatments avoid damaging the skin’s surface, you can return to your normal activities immediately after the treatment. You may experience mild redness or slight swelling, which typically subsides within 1 to 2 days. You can usually apply makeup right after the session. Learn more about when to apply makeup after skin rejuvenation treatments in our previous blog post.
Longevity of Results
The longevity of results varies between the two treatments. Halo laser offers long-lasting benefits, with results that can continue to improve over several months as collagen production increases. BBL results are also durable, but maintenance sessions may be required to address recurring concerns like sun damage.
Combining Halo With Forever Young BBL
Combining Halo with BBL is an excellent option if you’re seeking a comprehensive skin rejuvenation treatment. Good candidates for this approach want to minimize wrinkles and lines, address damage caused by the sun, reduce skin discoloration, and improve the appearance of dull skin.
Consult Our Skincare Experts
You achieve the vibrant, youthful skin you desire through laser skin rejuvenation treatments at White Orchid Spa. Request a consultation using the online form or call us at (772) 231-1133 to schedule an appointment.
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