IPL and BBL: what it does, what it costs and what to ask before you book
Redness is one of the most common reasons patients consult Dr Leah, and light-based treatment is the usual answer. Whether IPL or BBL is the right spend depends on what else is going on in the skin and how much a brand name on the machine should sway you.
In The Ageless Blueprint, Dr Leah rates IPL and BBL out of 10, explains the difference between the two scores, and describes how BBL is combined with MOXI in clinic. This page sets out what any patient should know before booking a light treatment.What IPL and BBL are
IPL stands for intense pulsed light. Unlike a laser, which emits a single narrow band of light, an IPL device produces a range of wavelengths and uses filters and settings to decide what reaches the skin. Light absorbed by pigment, or by blood in small superficial vessels, creates a controlled effect, so sun spots and redness gradually fade. BBL, short for BroadBand Light, is the IPL platform made by Sciton. It is a form of IPL, with its own filters and cooling, rather than a different category of treatment.
Both are used for diffuse flushing, rosacea, visible thread veins and solar lentigines (sun spots), and for a generally uneven complexion. A randomised split-face trial found improvement in irregular pigment, small vessels and texture after three sessions, but no improvement in wrinkles. Neither treatment lifts skin, removes deep lines or treats acne scars. The device, filter, pulse settings, cooling, operator and patient selection matter more than the brand on the machine.
Generally used for
- Diffuse facial redness, rosacea and thread veins
- Sun spots in lighter skin types, particularly when they occur alongside redness
- An uneven complexion with several early signs of sun damage, where BBL may be paired with a fractional laser
What the guide covers that this page does not
- Dr Leah’s rating out of 10 for IPL and for BBL, and the single reason they differ
- The Fitzpatrick skin types Dr Leah treats with a facial photofacial protocol, and the types Dr Leah does not
- Why Dr Leah advises against numbing cream before vascular IPL
- What Vbeam and PicoSure do that IPL does not, and the patients they may suit better
What to expect
| Results | Gradual clearing of redness and a more even tone, usually after a course. Brown spots often darken before they flake away. Expect a change in colour, not in wrinkles, scars or laxity. |
|---|---|
| How long it lasts | Redness and rosacea can recur, so three to four sessions are typically followed by a top-up every six to twelve months. Pigment can return with further sun exposure. |
| Appointment and downtime | Patients describe quick warm snaps against the skin; treatment over redness or vessels can be uncomfortable, and cooling helps. Redness and warmth usually settle quickly. Some people swell, especially around the eyes or after a more intensive session. |
| What can go wrong | Burns or blisters, prolonged redness, unwanted light or dark marks and, rarely, scarring, most often from too much energy for the skin type. Recent tanning, a history of pigment problems, photosensitising medication and darker skin tones change whether treatment is appropriate. Pigmented lesions should be checked by a clinician before cosmetic treatment. |
| Cost | Full-face IPL £150 to £300 per session, so £450 to £1,200 for a course of three or four before maintenance. BBL on its own £400 to £600 per session. |
Five things to ask before you book
- Which device and filters will you use for my redness or sun spots, and how many sessions do you expect before I see a change?
- Have you assessed my skin type and my history of pigmentation, and would a test patch be sensible for me?
- Is my pigmentation a sun spot, or could it be melasma, which light can make worse?
- If you are recommending BBL rather than IPL, what does the higher price buy me for my particular concern?
- What should I do if I develop a blister, worsening redness or a dark mark after treatment?
Dr Leah’s verdict is in the guide
Chapter 16 of The Ageless Blueprint rates IPL and BBL out of 10, in Dr Leah’s own words, and explains what the one-point difference between them does and does not mean. It sets out the session plan Dr Leah uses for redness and rosacea, the skin types Dr Leah treats with a photofacial protocol and the types Dr Leah refers to other technology, the protocol on numbing cream, and where Vbeam and PicoSure fit for scars, vessels and darker complexions. Five pages, with illustrations.
This page gives general information and does not replace a consultation with a qualified practitioner who can assess your face, skin and medical history. Prices are typical UK ranges, accurate as of September 2026, and vary between clinics. For adults aged 18 and over.
Common questions
IPL (intense pulsed light) uses filtered flashes across a range of wavelengths to target pigment and blood vessels. BBL (BroadBand Light) is Sciton’s branded IPL platform, so it belongs to the same category rather than being a separate treatment.
Typically three to four sessions, then a top-up roughly every six to twelve months when needed. Redness and rosacea can recur, so maintenance is usual.
Melasma needs its own assessment because light and heat can aggravate it. IPL suits diffuse redness, thread veins and ordinary sun spots in lighter skin types. The guide explains how Dr Leah approaches pigment that is not a simple sun spot.