I attended the Westcoast Wedding Show a few weeks back and entered a draw for a free beauty treatment. It turns out I won that draw, so today I was going to collect.
It was for a BBL, but not what is colloquially used to refer to a Brazilian butt lift. Instead, it stands for “broadband laser”, and As its name suggests, this is a treatment that uses laser light to smooth out imperfections on the face.
My treatment started with a consultation with a specialist, she would also be administering the treatment. This is the opportunity for you to learn about what is happening to your face scientifically, if it is safe, to hear any warnings that needs to be said, and to answer any questions you may have.
The procedure has been and can be done on teenagers to seniors. There is no age limitation, necessity is based on the patients desires. In my case I was told that my skin was in great condition with little scaring, and that the treatment won’t be as noticeable as a result. The technician did recommend a different treatment all together, that would be better suited to my need. However, that was more expensive, and was not included in my contest win.
This is a newer version of the original laser treatment known as “intense pulse light”. The BBL is done using broad light, which allows more light to pass at a higher intensity, with less pain. You can also adjust the setting of the BBL, where with the IPL you couldn’t, this allows you to modify it for darker skin types. Although it works best on those with a fairer complexion. There is no downtime to this, and you can wear make up right away, at most it may feel like a sun burn for a few hours. It is advised not to have any facials a week after and to avoid active ingredients in your skin care routine. To avoid excessive sweating 24 hours after via working out, sitting in a sauna, or sun tanning.
The process promises to target scars and discolouration, correcting redness and pigment, and removing fine hairs as a bonus. This is not a one and done sort of treatment, but typically 3-5 sessions are needed for lasting effects. Then after it annual maintenance with treatment once a year is highly recommended. The process is described as going to the dentist. They can do a cleaning for you, and take you to the base level, but you still have to commit to upkeep at home and additional serving in between.
It is $600 per appointment and they recommend a minimum of three. Therefore, they sell the procedure in packages of three.
The end result is an improved tone of your skin. You skin will look smoother through tightening and the decreasing of pores. It will even glow with increased collagen production. Commonly used on the face and body, many patiences come in to treat rosacea, acne scarring, and age spots.
The treatment that was more suited to my skin’s needs is the Halo Laser. It is $1,500 a session with 2-3 needed. It uses a blade, instead of light energy. The process was described as a lawn mower of sorts, taking off a layer and poking the skin. Both causing injury in order to urge the skin to form additional collagen. Given the description, it is not surprising that this procedure does require topical numbing.
Things to consider when booking any of their procedures is to understand what you are looking for long term, how much downtime you have, and the amount you plan to invest.
For me this one day, it was to focus on diminishing pores on my nose, fading the redness and red lines under the nose, and removing the fine hairs on my upper lip. I felt the work being done, but didn’t see much result from it immediately. The turn around time is a month, where things come to the surface and eventually fade.
With our thorough consultation I felt reassured of my safety, despite the obligatory warning of side effects. Of which included the darkening of the skin, permanent whiting of the skin, burns due to the heat, blisters, and even cold sores. Of her 12 years in the industry, my specialist said she has never seen any of the above. But that is because she goes low and slow, and is always gentle on the first appointment, to acclimate her technique to your clients.
I was invited to lay on the work chair, and the treatment began with the pulling back of my hair with barber’s tape, and strapping on protective goggles, much like those you use in a tanning salon.
My face was then slathered with a gel, similar to what they used during ultrasounds. This is to lubricate the surface, in order to allow the laser’s edge to easily glide across it. Your entire face gets a once over. The first pass a larger paddle is used and the heat is less intense, like a gentle flick of the fingers.
The second and third round, get slightly more intense each time as specific problematic areas are targeted. This feels more like an elastic band being pulled and snapped. A tinge of pain, but it is more the shock that hurts.
In hindsight, it is nothing painful enough to deter me from the wanted results. They say pain is beauty and this one is worth it.
In short, I walked out of the office with a tighter complexion and glowing skin. And as a complete this post I am a week in, so I cannot wait to see the final results three weeks after.
Pacific Plastic Surgery Group
555 W 8th Ave #401, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1C6
(604) 806-6365
pacificplasticsurgerygroup.ca
