(813) 345-4044 1767 S. Kings Ave., Brandon, FL
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Clear, even-toned skin after BBL HEROic phototherapy at Florida Aesthetics and Wellness in Brandon, FL

Phototherapy · Face & Skin · Brandon, FL

BBL HEROic™
in Brandon, FL

The gold-standard light treatment for sun damage, brown spots, redness, and rosacea, and one of the few studied for shifting aging skin toward a younger genetic pattern.

Forever Young
annual protocol available
3–5 days
downtime
20+ yrs
clinical evidence
About This Treatment

What does BBL HEROic™ treat and how does it work?

BBL HEROic™ works on two levels at once: on the surface it clears what you can see, brown spots, sun damage, redness, rosacea, and broken capillaries, and beneath the surface it works to renew aging skin itself.

On the surface, it corrects. The latest-generation BroadBand Light delivers a spectrum of light (515–1000nm) with interchangeable filters that selectively target pigment and blood vessels, leaving surrounding tissue unaffected. Melanin in a brown spot absorbs the energy and the spot is cleared; hemoglobin in a visible vessel absorbs it and the capillary collapses. Results appear over 2–4 weeks as your body clears the targeted cells. BBL is not a laser, which is part of why it improves overall tone and redness so broadly.

Beneath the surface, it renews. A Stanford University School of Medicine pilot study found that BBL shifted the gene expression of aged skin toward the pattern seen in younger skin, and that treated skin showed reduced elastosis (the sun-damaged breakdown of elastic tissue) with more orderly collagen. That genetic-level evidence is unusual among light treatments, and it is why consistent BBL, the Forever Young protocol of about two sessions a year, is used as a long-term skin-health strategy rather than a one-time fix. The research is summarized below.

What does BBL treat?

  • Sun damage & age spots
  • Redness & flushing
  • Rosacea (vascular component)
  • Broken capillaries
  • Freckles
  • Poikiloderma (neck/chest)
  • Uneven skin tone
  • Active acne (blue light filter)

Why patients choose Florida Aesthetics and Wellness

  • Sciton BBL HERO device
  • Forever Young protocol available
  • Treats face, neck, chest, hands
  • Licensed medical providers settings
  • No consumables cost (unlike some IPL)
  • Pairs perfectly with MOXI/HALO
The Science

What the research shows

Much of the interest in BBL traces back to a pilot study from the Stanford University School of Medicine that looked at what BroadBand Light does to skin at the genetic level. Comparing aged skin before and after treatment, researchers found that the activity of more than a thousand genes shifted toward the pattern seen in younger, less sun-damaged skin. On the structural side, treated skin showed reduced elastosis and more orderly collagen, though the study did not measure an increase in collagen quantity itself.

In the study, skin aging was associated with altered activity in 2,265 genes. After BBL treatment, 1,293 of those moved back toward a more youthful expression pattern.

Chang ALS, Bitter PH Jr, Qu K, Lin M, Rapicavoli NA, Chang HY. “Rejuvenation of Gene Expression Pattern of Aged Human Skin by Broadband Light Treatment: A Pilot Study.” Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2013. Read it on PubMed Central →

Worth keeping in perspective: this was a small, early-stage pilot study, not a large clinical trial, and individual results vary. We share it because it helps explain why a consistent approach like Forever Young BBL (about two sessions a year) is used to help maintain skin over time, not as a promise of any specific result.

This information is provided for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Individual results vary; a consultation with our medical providers is the best way to understand what BBL can do for your skin.

BBL BroadBand Light treatment experience
What to Expect

What happens during a BBL HEROic™ appointment?

1
Protective eyewear + cooling (5 min)
BBL treatment requires full eye protection, opaque goggles are placed over your eyes before treatment begins. A cooling gel is applied to the treatment area to protect the skin surface and enhance comfort during pulses.
2
Test pulse + calibration (5 min)
Your provider delivers a test pulse in an inconspicuous area and assesses your skin's response before proceeding. Filter selection, energy settings, and pulse duration are calibrated to your skin type and the targets being addressed.
3
Treatment (20–30 min)
The BBL handpiece is systematically moved across the treatment area, delivering precisely controlled pulses of light. You'll feel a warm snapping sensation, often compared to a rubber band flick. The BBL HERO device delivers pulses quickly for efficiency and comfort.
4
Post-treatment + darkening phase (days 1–14)
Immediately after: slight redness. Days 2–5: pigmented spots will darken ("coffee ground" appearance). This is the treatment working, the pigment is rising to the surface before flaking off. Days 7–14: spots flake away naturally, revealing clearer skin. Do not pick. Apply gentle cleanser and SPF 30+ daily.
Real Results

BBL HEROic™ Before & After

Unretouched photos from real Florida Aesthetics and Wellness patients. Individual results vary.

Before BBL, brown spots and frecklesBefore
After BBL, clearer skin toneAfter
Brown spots + freckles
2 sessions · 4 weeks post
Before BBL, rosacea and rednessBefore
After BBL, improved skin toneAfter
Rosacea + redness
2 sessions · 6 weeks post
Before BBL, chest sun damageBefore
After BBL, chest sun damage improvementAfter
Neck + chest sun damage
1 session · 3 weeks post

Individual results vary. All photos are unretouched and represent typical outcomes.

BBL vs. Other Light Treatments

How does BBL HEROic™ compare to alternatives?

Understanding how BBL HEROic compares to other photorejuvenation options.

FactorBBL HEROicStandard IPLNd:YAG Laser (vascular)
TargetsPigment + vascular + collagenPigment + vascular (limited)Vascular lesions (primary)
TechnologyBroad-spectrum light (HEROic)Broad-spectrum light (older tech)Single-wavelength laser
Comfort High (sapphire cooling)ModerateModerate–high (stinging)
Downtime3–5 days3–5 days1–3 days (varies)
Forever Young protocol Yes (Stanford pilot study)NoNo
Sessions1–3 annually1–3 annually1–3 per area
At FA YesNot offeredNot offered
Common Questions

BBL HEROic™, Frequently Asked Questions

Immediately post: pink and slightly warm. Hours 12–24: brown spots darken noticeably. Days 2–5: the darkened pigment takes on a "coffee ground" texture. Days 7–14: spots naturally flake off, revealing clearer skin. Redness and vascular lesions typically fade gradually over 2–4 weeks. Plan for 3–5 days of reduced social activity.
The Forever Young protocol is a maintenance approach of about two full-face BBL sessions per year. It is informed by a Stanford University School of Medicine pilot study which found that BroadBand Light treatment shifted the gene expression of aged skin toward a more youthful pattern. The idea is to use regular sessions to help maintain that effect over time. It is a maintenance strategy rather than a guarantee, and individual results vary. See "The Science" section above for the citation.
For significant sun damage, 2–3 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart is typical for initial correction. For maintenance and the Forever Young protocol, 1–2 sessions per year is standard. Patients with severe photoaging (poikiloderma of the neck/chest) may need 4–6 sessions for full correction.
BBL is primarily indicated for Fitzpatrick skin types I–IV. Treating darker skin types (V–VI) with BBL requires careful calibration and carries higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. We thoroughly assess skin type at consultation and may recommend alternative treatments for darker skin tones or use conservative settings with an extended prep protocol.
Yes, BBL with a blue or yellow light filter can treat active acne by destroying P. acnes bacteria in the skin. This is an add-on option typically combined with a broader pigment/vascular BBL treatment. Results for acne are moderate and typically require 4–6 sessions, making it complementary rather than a standalone acne solution.
Individual BBL sessions typically last 6–12 months depending on your sun exposure and skin type. The key to long-lasting results is consistent sun protection (SPF 30+ daily) and regular maintenance sessions. Patients on the Forever Young protocol (annual BBL) show cumulative long-term improvement and help maintain a more youthful appearance over time.
Yes. A pilot study from the Stanford University School of Medicine, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology in 2013, found that BroadBand Light treatment shifted the activity of more than a thousand genes in aged skin toward the pattern seen in younger skin, along with reduced elastosis and more orderly collagen in the treated skin. It was a small, early-stage pilot study rather than a large clinical trial, so individual results vary, but it is one reason BBL is widely discussed for skin rejuvenation. You can read the full study on PubMed Central.

Curious about cost? Pricing depends on your specific treatment plan, which we map out at your consultation. The treatment you’re interested in might be on sale this month, so see our pricing page for current rates and check this month’s specials.

View Pricing This Month’s Specials

Comparing options? Our guide to choosing a skin treatment by outcome rather than by device explains when pigment and redness are the real issue rather than texture.

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