Acne is a skin disorder resulting from the action of hormones and other substances on the skin’s oil glands, sebaceous glands and hair follicles. For some, the occasional pimple is annoyance, but for others, acne is a serious problem that can wage war on one’s self-confidence.

Severe acne, if left untreated, can also lead to permanent scarring. So, what’s one to do?

From over-the-counter creams and scrubs to medication and dietary changes, there are numerous ways to wage war on acne.

Unfortunately, what works for one doesn’t necessarily prove effective for the next person.

A relatively new contender that is making waves, quite literally, is the Sciton ForeverYoung

BBL – a treatment that is touted for reducing acne, scarring and possibly even turning back the hands of time.

Unsure of whether it’s the right fit for you? Here are 5 common questions asked about Sciton ForeverYoung BBL.

1. How Exactly Does The Sciton ForeverYoung BBL Work?

Looking to improve the way your skin looks and feels? Laser technology and laser therapy have evolved over the years and there are numerous ways in which they can be beneficial for your skin.

Broadband Light Treatments, or BBL for short, are FDA-approved procedures intended to treat various skin conditions and irregularities – yes, even problem acne.

One of the newest Broadband Light Treatment is the Sciton ForeverYoung BBL. Technically speaking, this is a machine that uses Intense Pulse Light, or IPL, for short.

With ForeverYoung BBL, pulsed infrared and visible light energy heat up the upper layers of your skin. This heat gets absorbed by your skin and targets the irregularities. It eliminates the melanin that is caused by sun damage. The heat also helps produce new collagen – critical in the reformation and rejuvenation of new skin.

2. Will My Skin Look Younger?

A new study recently published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology shows that Sciton BroadBand Light (BBLTM) treatments can change the expression of genes associated with the aging process to more closely resemble young skin.

The study supports the hypothesis that regulators of aging can be altered in human skin using BBL technology to provide a functional change, rather than just a cosmetic mimic of youthful appearance.

“As an industry, to find a clinically sound solution for human anti-aging is critical,” said Dr. Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, board certified dermatologist, attending physician at Lenox Hill Hospital and Yale/New Haven VA Hospital, and Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale University School of Medicine. “As a practicing physician in the field of dermatology, it is exciting to know there is a safe, light based treatment with ground-breaking clinical evidence supporting anti-aging and the reversal of skin damage available to our patients.”

Note: BBL is not FDA cleared for changing gene expression or anti-aging.

The Forever Young treatment is for anti-aging maintenance while the blue light filter aspect of the treatment is for the treatment of active acne.

3. Just How Effective Is The Sciton BBL In Treating Acne?

With proper treatment, the procedure will lead to collagen remodeling, proliferation of active fibroblasts, and treating over-acting sebaceous glands that result in the reduction of acne and improve acne scarring non-ablatively.

If administered by the right hands, the BBL treatment is very safe and effective for a number of skin conditions, according to Jaggi Rao, an associate clinical professor and the director of laser and surgical teaching at the University of Alberta.

In a recent article in Best Health Magazine, Rao explains how the process works:

“The energy (light, radio frequency or other) heats up the tissue. When the heat reaches a certain temperature, this “injures” or destroys the target. If enough “injury” occurs, the skin will repair it, creating rejuvenated skin that is tighter, thicker or smoother than before.”
The “look” of scarring improves over several treatments through collagen stimulation in the dermis as a result of repeat treatments of ForeverYoungBBL.

4. What Can I Expect After Treatment?

The side effects are minimal. However, some experience mild redness lasting several hours, and in some cases – 3-5 days. Makeup can easily be used to conceal the redness.

According to HealthPartners.com, one can expect the following after treatment:

  • You may experience a mild sunburn-like sensation on the treated area for the first 24-48 hours following the treatment. Apply cold compresses as needed to help relieve the sunburn-like sensation.
  • These may be applied as often as ten minutes per hour on the day of the treatment. Gentle moisturizers or products containing aloe vera applied following the treatment can also have a soothing effect.
  • An antibiotic ointment should be utilized if there is any blistering, crusting, or breaks in the skin.
  • Darkening of pigmented lesions is a normal response, and they may continue to gradually darken over the next 24-48 hours. Darkened lesions may progress to scabs or crusting, and will start flaking off in 2-3 days. The lesion is usually healed in 7-10 days, and will continue to fade over the next 2-4 weeks. Do not pick, scratch or remove scabs or crusting.
  • Avoid aggressive scrubbing and the use of exfoliants, scrub brushes, and loofa sponges until the treatment area has returned to its pre-treated condition.

5. Is The Sciton ForeverYoung BBL for Me?

Aging and acne aren’t something you can control – but it is possible to mitigate the aesthetic effects of it.

The Sciton ForeverYoung Broadband Light treatment (with the 420 blue light filter) can help you restore the effects of time, so that you can go back to having fresher, more rejuvenated-looking skin, minus the spots.

About Dr. Kumar Shivdasani

Dr. Kumar Shivdasani is a medical practitioner with 25 years experience. He began his career in emergency at Vancouver General Hospital and addiction medicine – later branching into cosmetic medicine. He is the owner of CüR Laser and Skin in Vancouver, BC. Education, good lifestyle and diet changes lay the foundation for developing overall health and wellness, helping Kumar’s clients achieve and maintain their target goals. Dr. Kumar is also dedicated to helping others as shown by his support for Summits of Hope and Turning Point Recovery