If you’re curious about the differences between IPL vs BBL you’ve come to the right place!
What most people don’t know about IPL and BBL is that they are both light devices. They both feel like a rubber band snap and they both emit a blindingly bright light. So what could be so different about the two?
Turns out, after performing both for 12+ years, I can tell you exactly what I’ve learned. We’ll discuss the IPL vs BBL comparison, IPL vs BBL effectiveness, IPL vs BBL for melasma and finally IPL vs BBL safety. Also, if you’re totally lost or new to this world, definitely check out my post on how to find the right anti aging treatment for you!
This post is all about IPL vs BBL with an honorable mention of PDL (pulsed dye laser) and why it is important for you to know how to differentiate.
This article is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice contact a licensed healthcare professional.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Key Differences Between IPL vs BBL
I know when I first started looking into these options, I was overwhelmed by how similar they seemed, but there are some pretty key differences that make one more suitable than the other, depending on your skin needs. Let me break it down for you based on my own research and experiences!
1. Technology: Precision Matters
The Standard IPL (Limelight, Max G) works by targeting surface pigment and vascularities by utilizing ALL wavelengths of visible light between 400-1200 nm at the same time.
This results in less selective targeting which means you’ll need more treatments with a less than desirable result.
The BBL (Forever young, Hero, Heroic) works by providing individual filters of light. Wavelengths ranging from 420-695 nm. The interchangeable options let your provider select the filter that best targets your concerns.
For example, if you have stubborn nose vessels they would use the 560 filter that targets hemoglobin. This way, you block out the other wavelengths so you get a much more targeted result.
Additionally, while both IPL, and BBL use light energy to target skin concerns, BBL allows for greater precision because of its 4 features:
- Larger spot size
- Variable-sized smaller spot adaptors
- Pulse rates of at least 1 pulse per second
- Wide range of cutoff filters, including 515 nm, 560 nm, 590 nm, 640 nm, and 695 nm, to treat most skin types.
Check out my video on the BBL Hero and how it has changed the game for sun damage removal everywhere on the body!
Both are safe for lighter skin. If you have a medium skin tone, you can be a candidate as well but just remember these safety precautions to keep you protected;
- Keep your skin cold throughout treatment (ice packs, or zimmer chillers are a must)
- ZERO (unprotected) sun exposure at least 2 weeks prior to treatment
- Choose BBL, BBL Hero or BBL Heroic, not IPL
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2. Capabilities: What can it treat?
If you’re starting from zero and have never treated your sun damage with anything (topical creams or devices) , both IPL vs BBL are actually great options. However, if you’ve had a few treatments before and you want to go after your age-related concerns than BBL is your best choice.
IPL
- Hair
- Sun damage
- Broken blood vessels
BBL
- Hair
- Sun damage
- Broken blood vessels
- Rosacea
- Melasma
- Fine lines
- Acne
According to RealPatientRatings, 1,435 patients gave the IPL a 94.2% satisfaction rating. On the other hand, 24 patients gave BBL Hero a 90.8% rating. This contradiction is mainly based on the fact that BBL is less accessible due to its high cost. Overall, Sciton products are known in the industry to be cost prohibitive for some.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3. Effectiveness: Surface vs. Depth
As you can see below, IPL targets everything all at once. The result? Surface level rejuvenation. This is why many patients always say, “I had a series of IPL’s but the pigment just comes right back in the summer.”
This is because IPL is incapable of treating the brown spots where they originate. Likely in the basal layer of the epidermis.
BBL, on the other hand, really comes through when you’re looking to treat deeper skin conditions. Because it uses more targeted energy, it can effectively break up deeper pigmentation and stimulate collagen at a more profound level, which is super helpful for anti-aging. If you have broken blood veins, sun spots, red moles, rosacea, unwanted facial hair, fine lines or just uneven skin stone this is the device for you!
Think of IPL as a grenade—great for carpet bombing hair, sun damage and redness but much less specified energy. BBL, on the other hand, is more like a sniper—it can really hone in on the exact issue you’re trying to fix and target that with less treatments and less complications.
When I follow up with a patient, I’ll take before and after photos. Typically, the IPL results are indeed better but don’t exceed the client’s expectations.
There was a recent study from Dermatologic Surgery where they evaluated why patients were unhappy with their laser results. First and foremost, 63% said they were unhappy due to a complication. Secondarily, 37% said they were unhappy due to the ineffectiveness of the treatment.
This is why you should choose the BBL system over the IPL. In fact, the best advice I can offer is this breakdown of what determines your best result…
While IPL was a great introduction to light therapy, you’ll get way more visible, long-lasting improvements with BBL when tackling more stubborn skin concerns from sun damage.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
4. Comfort & Recovery: The Smoother Ride
Let’s face it, if you are a laser savant you’ll know as well as I that these devices hurt. Of course, topical numbing creams can be applied (which does make a world of difference btw) but anyone that tells you it doesn’t hurt, probably isn’t using the right settings.
However with the newest technology discussed above (BBL HERO, HEROic), it now feels like a warming sensation vs rubber band snap. That is because these devices are “in-motion” emitting low level energies with more pulses than a conventional treatment. The result? Better outcomes, less pain, quicker appointments! Yay technology!
_______________________________________________________________________________________
5. Skin Types: One Size Does Not Fit All
If you have darker skin tones, IPL can be a bit trickier. Because IPL’s wavelengths are broader and not as customizable, there’s a higher risk of hyperpigmentation in people with darker skin. Trust me, the last thing you want after trying to fix one issue is to create another!
BBL, however, is known to be safer for a wider range of skin types, including those with more melanin. The precision of the light allows practitioners to tailor the treatment more effectively for individuals with darker skin, minimizing risks.
I wish I had known this earlier, as a friend of mine with medium tone skin had an IPL treatment and ended up with patchy results. She later switched to BBL and had a much smoother experience.
What’s New Today?
Nowadays, IPL devices like Lumenis M22 has upped their game. Providing new features that mimic Sciton’s BBL system. All of these features result in fewer treatments, better outcomes and ultimately, higher patient satisfaction.
- A sapphire cooling tip
- 9 different cutoff filters that include 530–650 nm and 900-1200 nm
- Optimal pulse technology – multiple passes in sequence, allowing skin to cool between pulses
Today, Sciton has created a new era of pulsed light technology called, BBL HEROic. This smart device only pulses when it is gliding across the skin so it will safely and effectively deliver results without depending on the technician’s skill level. The main features include;
- Ai technology – intuitive software
- Fully Automated – automatic pulse delivery system prevents user errors
- Comfort and safety – Much less risks for burns and feels like a warming sensation vs rubber band snap
As a provider, I am obsessed with the BBL HEROic, I can erase sun damage on a full back in less than 10 mins, my clients are more comfortable and everybody wins! If you can find a provider in your area that has the BBL HEROic, run don’t walk!
I remember the first time I tried IPL, and while it helped with general redness, it didn’t quite touch some of the lighter pigmentation I had from sun damage. That’s when I turned to BBL, and the difference was night and day! I could see that BBL penetrated deeper, giving me better long-term results. So, if you’re dealing with more serious skin concerns, BBL might be worth the extra cost.
Overall, when it comes to IPL vs BBL, it really depends on what you need. IPL is great for those looking to fix surface-level concerns, but BBL is the clear winner when you need something more powerful, precise, and safe for a variety of skin tones. My personal take? If you’re tackling deeper skin concerns or want more customizable options, go with BBL—you’ll thank yourself later!
