BBL Photofacial vs. Microneedling: Which One Does Your Skin Need?

BBL and microneedling both build collagen, but they work on different problems. BBL goes after color: sun spots, redness and uneven tone. Microneedling goes after texture: fine lines, scars and pores. Detroit Face & Body offers both.

We compared them in a short Instagram clip at the start of the year, which you can watch below. And to clear up the name: BBL here is BroadBand Light, not the Brazilian butt lift.

 

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A post shared by Dr. Hajjar & Dr. Lumley – Detroit Plastic Surgery & Med Spa (@detroitplasticsurgery_)

BBL: for sun damage, redness and uneven tone

BroadBand Light uses pulses of filtered light to gently heat the skin. Brown spots, freckling, redness and broken capillaries absorb that light and fade, and the heat also stimulates collagen, so skin looks clearer and smoother. It works on the face and on the arms, chest and hands, where sun damage tends to build up.

A session takes 30 to 45 minutes, and most people go right back to work. Dark spots usually look a bit darker for several days, then flake away within about a week. BBL works best when your skin isn’t tanned, and your provider will check your skin type and recent sun exposure before treating you.

Microneedling: for texture, fine lines and scars

Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy, uses a pen with very fine needles to create hundreds of microscopic channels in the skin. Your body responds by making new collagen and elastin, which softens fine lines, acne scars, rough texture, enlarged pores and stretch marks. We can also add PDGF (platelet-derived growth factors) to support that collagen response.

A treatment takes about half an hour, and most patients feel very little discomfort. Afterward, expect redness and swelling similar to a mild sunburn, sometimes with light bruising, for a few days. Many patients see a difference about a week after the first session, and a series gives the best result. Microneedling works on all skin types.

How they compare

How to choose

If your concern is mostly color, start with BBL. If it’s mostly texture, start with microneedling. If it’s both, you don’t have to choose. We can schedule them on separate visits so your skin recovers in between.

Winter is a good time to start either one. Skin is less likely to be tanned, which matters for BBL, and there’s less sun exposure while skin heals after microneedling. If you’d like to go further than either treatment, our laser comparison explains how MOXI, HALO and HALO TRIBRID treat tone and texture together.

To book a consultation, call Detroit Face & Body at (248) 208-8855 or request one online.

Frequently asked questions

Is BBL a laser?

No. BBL uses broad-spectrum light passed through filters, while a laser uses a single wavelength. It’s in the same family as IPL.

Does insurance cover either treatment?

Generally no, since both are cosmetic.