Everything you need to know about one of Charlotte’s most popular medspa laser treatments – plus before and afters

If you’ve ever thought about taking a laser to your skin in the name of beauty, you’re not alone in Charlotte.

Each year, Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery sees hundreds of patients for non-invasive medspa treatments and one of the most popular is a laser treatment called BBL, which stands for Broadband Light.

I personally love nerding out over skincare but have always been a little intimidated by lasers. Now that I’m in my 30s, I’m ready to see what they’re all about.

To get the lowdown, I talked to Criswell’s licensed esthetician Stefanie DiTomas. She’s been in the business for over 15 years. She answered all my questions about BBL, including “How bad does it hurt?” Let’s get to it.

Ok, so what exactly is BBL used for?

It has capabilities for permanent hair reduction, treating acne, maintaining skin tightness, treating hyperpigmentation (i.e. sun spots and age spots). “It’s great for cleaning up summer sun damage,” says Stefanie.

How does it work?

BBL uses targeted light energy that gently heats the upper skin layers, stimulating the body to produce more collagen – the perfect ingredient to firm and smooth, and correct the signs of aging skin.

How long does the treatment take and does it hurt?

The treatment typically takes about 30 minutes to an hour and patients will experience “minor discomfort”. Stefanie says, “We don’t normally use a topical numbing but the average patient doesn’t need it. It’s very tolerable.” She described the feeling like a mild snapping on the skin.

What’s the recovery like?

Stefanie says it takes about 3-7 days for your skin to recover and during that time your skin will likely be dry and flakey. It’s recommended that you not wear any makeup during this time and you’re supposed to stay out of the sun or at least wear SPF.

How often should I get this done?

“We typically start with an initial round of treatment that’s either 3 or 6 sessions,” says Stefanie. “After that, a lot of people do maintenance treatments every season.” However, Stefanie noted that you’ll likely see the most dramatic results after your first treatment. “You’ll probably see a 50% reduction or more in your first visit.”

What are the results like?

The goal of BBL is smooth, even-toned skin. Here are a few before and afters photo of Criswell patients who got BBL. In the photos on the right, you can see the results after just one treatment.

How much does BBL cost?

Full face BBL is $400 per treatment.

If that’s a little too pricey but you’re still interested in trying it out, you can get $200 off BBL packages* for the entire month of September.

*Must be a minimum series of 3 treatments. Excludes laser hair removal.

If I’m interested in BBL, how do I get started?

Right now, Criswell is offering hybrid consultations to ensure you have adequate time with our team. “We start with the virtual consultation and will follow that with an in-person visit so that we can truly evaluate your skin.” After that, Stefanie will come up with a treatment plan and send you home with a skincare regimen to prep your skin leading up to treatment.

Luckily, Criswell’s two locations are taking patient safety very seriously when it comes to in-person visits. “We are always very safe because we are a surgical suite. Everything is always pristine,” says Stefanie.

Don’t forget, Criswell is offering $200 off BBL packages* for the entire month of September. Set up a consultation.

*Must be a minimum series of 3 treatments. Excludes laser hair removal.

This content was created in partnership with Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery.