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BBL Acne Treatment Vs. Traditional Methods: Which is Right For You?

BBL Acne Treatment Vs. Traditional Methods: Which is Right For You?

Posted: April 11, 2025

Acne treatments have continuously evolved over recent years– from topical products, facials, oral medications, and even light-based treatment options. BBL (BroadBand Light) therapy is a non-medicinal solution to help treat acne. The goal of this blog is to compare BBL acne treatment vs. some of the more traditional methods to see which may be best for you!

By: Kristin Gaskins, NP

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Understanding the Root Causes of Acne

Before we dive into how to treat acne, it is important to have a good understanding of the root cause of acne. Acne is an inflammatory skin condition. Oftentimes, there is an overabundance of skin cell shedding that, when combined with sebum and hair, can clump together and cause a plug. This plug is what causes congested pores and can lead to open and closed comedones that can potentially become red and inflamed. There is also non-inflamed acne as well. There is a genetic component to acne, but hormonal fluctuations and even lifestyle can impact the severity of breakouts.

Traditional Acne Treatments: Tried and True Options

Topical Solutions

Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and retinoids are some of the most common topical products used for treating acne. Benzoyl peroxide works by getting into the pore and going after acne-causing bacteria. It can help unclog the pores. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that helps decrease inflammation, unclogs pores and helps to exfoliate the skin. Lastly, retinoids can help to treat acne. They work by exfoliating the skin, decreasing inflammation, and even decreasing sebum production.

Oral Medications

In certain situations, individuals may be placed on oral antibiotics to help with acne. This targets the bacteria in the skin which then helps to kill the bacteria. This results in decreased inflammation and even redness. Because hormonal fluctuations can lead to increased acne, medications that impact hormones can be used to treat acne. One common medication is Spironolactone. This helps block the effects of androgens and progesterone on the skin, resulting in less acne.

In-Office Procedures

Facials, extractions, and chemical peels have been go-to in-office treatments to target acne for many years. Facials and extractions offer a deep clean and manual removal of clogged pores to help improve acne. Chemical peels often include a variety of the topical ingredients listed above (alpha and beta hydroxy acids, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, etc) to increase exfoliation in the skin and target acne-causing bacteria.

A woman receiving a bbl therapy acne treatment. The woman is wearing eye protectant goggles and the laser is up to her cheek.

BBL Therapy for Acne: How It Works

BBL therapy uses light energy to address acne in the skin by targeting imperfections on the surface of the skin as well as deeper pigmentation issues. First, blue light is used to target and eliminate acne-causing bacteria within the skin’s pores. Next, a pass of yellow light is used to decrease inflammation and redness. This also helps with preventing new breakouts. Lastly, infrared light is used to go even deeper into the skin to help initiate the body’s natural healing process. This can help reduce the appearance of existing scars.

Not only will patients see improvement in acne, but there will also be an improvement in skin tone and texture. The best part about this treatment for acne is that there is very minimal downtime after treatment. Patients can use most of their normal products immediately after. It is recommended that patients receive 4-6 treatments to start and then transition to quarterly visits after that.

See BBL in action over on our Instagram!

Comparing Effectiveness: Which Works Faster?

Whether choosing BBL acne treatment or a more traditional treatment to target acne, there is going to be a similar timeline for seeing results. For BBL targeting acne, we recommend around six treatments spaced two weeks apart. Our Face Reality Bootcamp is a more traditional option for treating acne and is spaced over twelve weeks for treatments every two weeks. Some individuals may just need regular facials to help keep their acne under control. For this, we recommend facials every 4-6 weeks.

A before and after photo of a woman who went through face reality boot camp

Suitability: Who Should Choose What?

The best way to decide which option is best for you is by scheduling a consultation with a skilled provider. There are some things to consider when determining which is best:

Mild vs. Severe Acne: BBL may be a better option for mild to moderate inflamed acne. Whereas traditional treatments may be best for non-inflamed acne and more severe acne. Check out the before and after pictured here! This is one of our own patients who went through our Face Reality Acne Bootcamp.
Skin Type & Sensitivity: Individuals with darker skin types may not be a candidate for BBL and therefore traditional treatments like our Face Reality Bootcamp may be a better option. Individuals with more sensitive skin may prefer BBL treatments over using harsher topical products.
Lifestyle & Compliance: No matter which option an individual chooses to help their acne, there will be some lifestyle and product changes that should occur for best results. Each requires visits almost every two weeks for best results. It is a commitment, but one that can absolutely result in huge changes in their skin.

Pros and Cons of Both Options

Traditional Treatments: These can be slightly more cost effective, although still an investment of time and money. Oftentimes traditional treatments are more accessible. There can be some dryness and irritation that occurs because of the topical products used.
BBL Therapy: Offers a non-invasive and effective treatment for inflammation and even scarring. Multiple treatments are required and often is a more expensive investment. It is also important to make sure you are seeing a well-trained provider.

Combining Treatments for Optimal Results

Some patients may benefit from a combined approach. This could include traditional facial treatments and peel, as well as BBL therapy. A personalized approach is very important when treating acne. Seeing a skilled provider knowledgeable in multiple treatment options can ensure you get the best recommendations for your personal skin concerns.

Making the Right Choice for Your Skin

Again, it is important to make sure you are making the right choice for your skin concerns. It’s also equally important to find a skilled provider who can assess your skin and listen to your goals. They should be knowledgeable in both treatment options to help determine the right plan to help you achieve clearer, healthier skin.

If you’re in the Cincinnati area and looking to tackle any acne concerns, we’d love to help! Fill out our new patient inquiry form and we’ll be in touch to get you a scheduled. A consultation with one of our providers is always a great place to start!