I Tried It: BBL HEROic
This latest device tackles tone and texture without downtime.
I was a freckled-faced kid. When I was young (and ignorant to the dangers of sun exposure), I would lie in the sun, thinking maybe if all my freckles blended together, I’d be tan. Only I ended up with…more freckles. As a young teen, I tried home remedies to lighten them, rubbing lemon wedges all over my face and arms. Spoiler alert: It didn’t work. My freckles faded as an adult, thanks to diligent sun protection and innovations in topical treatments. But some stubborn sun spots remain, and I still dream of a more even skin tone. I also have enlarged pores in my T-zone and broken capillaries around my nose and cheeks, all signs of sun damage.
So when I saw that Permanent Touch Cosmetics in Woodbury was the first facility on Long Island to get the new Sciton BBL HEROic machine, which works on pigment, photodamage, redness, and skin texture, I jumped at the chance to try it.
What is it? The BBL in BBL HEROic stands for broadband light. “It’s a pulsed light device driven by wavelengths looking for color,” says Sharon Grasso, celebrity aesthetician and owner of Permanent Touch Cosmetics. “It’s not a laser,” she says. “Resurfacing lasers such as Moxi are attracted to water, whereas the BBL HEROic is attracted to pigment,” she explains. “That’s the difference between a visible light source and a laser.”
The HEROic light technology uses an automated pulse delivery that adapts to the technician’s speed, allowing for a faster, more efficient treatment. “We can do the entire body in 30 minutes,” Grasso says. It contains a 532 nanometer (nm) wavelength that targets brown and red spots more effectively than other wavelengths. Grasso suggests a series of three or four treatments spaced one month apart for best results.
What does it feel like? Grasso applied ultrasound gel on my skin to help the device glide and stay targeted on the skin. As the light flashed, I felt a warming sensation that wasn’t painful. My entire face took less than five minutes.
Bonus add-on: On my face, I also had Moxi, a non-ablative laser, which means it doesn’t break the skin barrier. You get results with minimal to no downtime, so this treatment is called a “lunchtime laser.” Grasso says, “Moxi’s job is to retexturize and resurface skin.” It stimulates collagen, so you see an improvement in fine lines, sun damage, acne scars, and enlarged pores over time. Moxi is entirely safe to do with BBL HEROic. I was numbed for Moxi, which felt like a prickling sensation on my skin—very tolerable!
What to expect: My skin was red and warm immediately after the treatments. Grasso sent me home with Revisions CMT Post-Procedure Cream, a neurocosmetic that helps reduce discomfort and speed up healing. I applied it religiously over the next week. On day two, my brown spots appeared darker. Some resembled coffee grinds, and my skin felt like sandpaper. Grasso tells me this is called microscopic epidermal necrotic debris, or MENDS. “Your skin is healing from the inside out, and within five to seven days, that superficial scabbing will slough off and uncover beautiful, new, bright skin.” She told me to continue to use the CMT cream and sunscreen daily. One week later, my skin looks clearer and brighter, and my pores look tighter. Some of the superficial freckles on my cheeks are gone, while other spots have lightened up. I’m looking forward to the results after two more treatments.
Who’s a good candidate: The BBL HEROic can be done on light to medium complexions, but because it targets pigment, it’s not recommended for dark skin tones or anyone with a tan. Moxi, however, can be safely done on all skin tones.
Cost: BBL HEROic costs $600 per treatment, and Moxi costs $800. However, Permanent Touch Cosmetics often creates packages if you purchase a series and/or combine it with Moxi or other treatments. Contact Permanent Touch Cosmetics for pricing.
Check out some (unofficial) before and after pics below. Stay tuned for more on my HEROic/Moxi journey. Follow Grasso on Instagram at @permanentouchcosmetics for more information.
Before: My skin without makeup: Freckles, a few darker sun spots, and redness.
The next morning (post-workout): Mild redness. My pigmentation appears darker and I have what looks like coffee grinds under my eyes.
One week later: Extreme close-up! I’m wearing a tinted sunscreen but no concealer or foundation. My skin is more even, less red, smoother, and my pores appear tighter.
