Sun damage doesn’t show up in just one way.
Over time, sun exposure can contribute to uneven pigmentation, brown spots, redness, rough texture, fine lines, and that thin, crepey appearance we often notice as the skin begins to change.
That’s why, when treating sun-damaged skin, we don’t always want to focus on just one concern. By stacking Erbium YAG with BroadBand Light (BBL), we can address two different visible signs of sun damage in one treatment plan: texture and tone.
Erbium YAG is a laser treatment that focuses primarily on resurfacing and improving the appearance of skin texture.
It works by removing damaged outer layers of skin, helping to soften the appearance of fine lines, roughness, and crepey texture while encouraging the skin’s natural renewal process.
The result is smoother, more refined-looking skin as the skin heals and regenerates.
Because Erbium is a resurfacing treatment, the depth of the treatment plays an important role in determining the recovery process.
BroadBand Light, or BBL, uses light energy rather than a laser.
BBL is primarily focused on the color of the skin. It can target the appearance of brown spots, redness, and uneven pigmentation associated with sun exposure.
Following treatment, some brown pigment may temporarily become darker before gradually clearing over the following days. Patients may also experience mild redness or a slight sunburn-like sensation.
When BBL is performed on its own, it is typically considered an easy treatment to get through with relatively minimal downtime.
This is where the combination becomes especially effective.
Erbium YAG addresses texture, while BBL addresses color.
When we're repairing the appearance of sun-damaged skin, we don't just want the skin to be smoother, and we don't just want the color to be more even. We want both.
By combining these treatments, we're addressing two different signs of sun damage within the same treatment plan. BBL works to improve the appearance of uneven pigmentation and redness, while Erbium YAG resurfaces the skin to improve texture and the appearance of fine lines and roughness.
The result is a more comprehensive approach to creating smoother, more even-looking, refreshed skin.
Because Erbium YAG is the resurfacing component of this treatment, it will largely determine what recovery looks like after the combination.
Depending on how deeply the Erbium treatment is performed, you can expect some redness and sensitivity followed by dryness and peeling. For many treatments, this peeling phase occurs over approximately 5–7 days.
As the skin heals, it begins to look smoother and more refreshed.
With BBL alone, recovery is typically much easier. Mild redness or a sunburn-like sensation may occur, and treated brown pigment can temporarily darken before gradually clearing.
These photos show Alexa performing this stacked treatment on Kris, with the before-and-after images captured just one week after treatment.
Even at this early stage, you can see a noticeable improvement in the appearance of her skin’s tone and texture.
It’s important to remember that one week is still part of the healing process following a resurfacing treatment. Skin can continue to change and improve as the natural renewal process progresses.
Every patient and every treatment is different, which is why treatment depth, recovery, and results will vary based on individual skin concerns and goals.
At Lovely Medical Spa & Wellness Center, we can help determine whether combining BBL and Erbium YAG is the right approach for your skin and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
If your skin is showing signs of sun damage, treating both tone and texture can be an important part of creating a more complete result.
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