BBL HEROic is a broadband light device we’ve just brought into our Perth clinic, and it took us a long time to actually decide on it. Eighteen months, if I’m honest. We looked into it, trialled it, and I even had a go on myself before we committed. As of July 2026, we’re the first clinic in Western Australia to have one.
What Is BBL HEROic?
BBL HEROic is a variant of IPL, broadband light therapy that treats the skin very quickly and with a bit of computerised help built in. When the operator moves the handpiece across the face, the machine fires automatically rather than relying on the operator to time each pulse. It’s a very fast, very automatic form of IPL.
We looked hard at whether to buy the basic BBL or step up to the HEROic version, and we decided to go with the top of the range. It’s an expensive machine, but we’re genuinely pleased with it. We like to be first, best and different here, and this is exactly that kind of investment.
Why Do Pigmentation, Sun Damage and Redness Happen?
Pigmentation, sun damage and redness happen because of how your skin’s pigment and blood vessels respond to heat and light exposure over the years. UV exposure, ageing, rosacea and general sun damage all show up on the skin in slightly different ways, and the amount of pigment in your skin affects how it absorbs heat from any light-based treatment. That’s part of why some devices leave patchy or uneven results: the heat is taken up differently by different levels of pigment in the skin, not always because of anything the operator did wrong. BBL HEROic’s automatic pulsing is designed to reduce that variability, cutting out the gaps and stripe-like patterns that can happen with less automated machines.
How Do You Spot Skin That Could Benefit From BBL HEROic?
You can usually spot a good candidate for BBL HEROic by looking for sun spots, general pigmentation, redness from rosacea, or visible sun damage on the face or body. If your skin shows uneven tone, broken capillaries, or that dull, sun-worn look, these are the kinds of concerns BBL HEROic is built to treat. It’s suitable across a broad range of skin presentations because the automated system adjusts for how each area responds, rather than applying a single fixed setting to every patient.
Can You Prevent Pigmentation and Redness?
You can reduce the risk of pigmentation and redness with daily sun protection, but you can’t fully prevent it if you’ve had years of sun exposure already. Daily SPF, hats, and avoiding peak UV hours all help slow new damage. For redness linked to rosacea, avoiding known triggers such as heat, alcohol and certain skincare ingredients can help manage flare-ups. But once pigment or vascular changes are established in the skin, prevention alone won’t reverse them, which is where treatment comes in.
What Are the Treatment Options, From Least to Most Invasive?
Treatment for pigmentation, sun damage and redness ranges from topical skincare through to advanced light-based devices like BBL HEROic. At the gentler end, medical-grade skincare and chemical peels can help with mild, surface-level pigmentation. For more established concerns, our pigmentation treatments include laser and light options such as IPL photo rejuvenation and Lumecca IPL, both of which use light energy to break down excess pigment and target redness. For rosacea specifically, we also offer Kleresca, a biophotonic therapy that targets inflammation.
BBL HEROic sits at the more advanced end of this range. It’s still non-invasive with no real downtime, but the automated pulse delivery gives more consistent coverage than a standard IPL, and it treats the face very quickly. It’s suitable for pigmentation, sun damage, rosacea and general redness of the skin. You can see the full range of our laser and light treatments if you’re weighing up which option suits your skin.
As with any light-based treatment, there are some general risks to be aware of, including temporary redness, mild swelling, or changes in pigmentation in rare cases, particularly in darker skin types. A proper consultation helps us match the machine and settings to your skin and concerns and minimise these risks.
I’m actually going to be one of the first people to have a treatment on my own arms once the machine is fully up and running here, so I’ll be putting it through its paces myself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BBL HEROic?
BBL HEROic is an advanced form of broadband light (BBL) therapy, a variant of IPL that uses automated pulse delivery to treat pigmentation, sun damage and redness.
What skin concerns does BBL HEROic treat?
BBL HEROic treats pigmentation, sun damage, rosacea and general redness of the skin.
Is BBL HEROic painful?
BBL HEROic is generally well tolerated, with most patients experiencing mild warmth during treatment and little to no downtime afterward.
How is BBL HEROic different from standard IPL?
BBL HEROic fires automatically as the handpiece moves across the skin, reducing the gaps or uneven coverage that can occur with manually operated IPL devices.
How many BBL HEROic sessions will I need?
The number of sessions depends on the concern being treated and how your skin responds, so this is best discussed at a consultation.
Is BBL HEROic safe for all skin types?
BBL HEROic is designed to account for different levels of pigment in the skin, but a consultation is the best way to confirm suitability for your particular skin type.
This information is general in nature and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results vary, and all treatments carry some risk. Please book a consultation with Dr. Glenn Murray or a member of our team at Absolute Cosmetic to discuss whether BBL HEROic is right for your skin.
Ready to find out more? Get in touch with our team to book a consultation.
