Thulium laser or BBL: which suits which complexion?
Thulium laser and BBL both improve the complexion, but they work in fundamentally different ways: the laser renews the skin via heat in the tissue water, while broadband light uses filters to target pigment and haemoglobin specifically. Which technology is suitable depends on the skin concern and the skin type.
At SIACSKIN, these are the TULIX, a non-ablative fractional laser with 1927 nm thulium and 1550 nm erbium glass, and the DERMAFORCE BBL PRO with BroadBand Light from 400 to 800 nm and 9 filters. Here you will find out when to use which device and how sessions and downtime differ.
What is the difference between the TULIX and the DERMAFORCE BBL PRO?
The TULIX is a laser that renews the skin via heat in the tissue water, while the DERMAFORCE BBL PRO is a light source that specifically targets pigment and haemoglobin. A laser source emits exactly one wavelength. With the thulium laser, it is absorbed by the water in the skin, regardless of skin colour, and creates fine microzones from which the skin renews itself. Broadband light contains many wavelengths, which filters narrow down to the target: brown spots or small red veins.
The TULIX works non-ablatively with 1927 nm thulium and 1550 nm erbium glass and is specified for all skin types. The DERMAFORCE BBL PRO uses BroadBand Light with 400 to 800 nm and 9 filters for pigment, vessels, acne and hair reduction and is intended for skin types I to IV.
Thulium laser or BBL for dark spots and sun damage: which works better?
For clearly defined brown spots on fair skin, BBL usually works faster; for fine pigment spread over a whole area and for darker skin, the thulium laser does. Broadband light is absorbed directly by melanin: the spots darken and flake off in about 5 to 10 days, and individual ones often respond as early as after the first session. The thulium laser renews the entire epidermis and lightens many fine spots at the same time, so the complexion becomes more even overall. If redness is also present, that speaks in favour of light.
The DERMAFORCE BBL PRO is designed for hyperpigmentation and sun damage in skin types I to IV. The TULIX lists sun damage, age spots and pigment disorders as applications and is specified for all skin types.
Thulium laser or BBL for redness and couperose: which procedure is suitable?
For redness, couperose and fine thread veins, BBL is the suitable choice; the thulium laser is not the right tool for this. To close a vessel, the light has to be absorbed by haemoglobin, the red pigment in the blood. Broadband light with a suitable filter does this and treats whole areas on the cheeks and nose. The thulium laser targets water, not haemoglobin. It improves skin tone and texture, but leaves dilated thread veins in place. For couperose, 3 to 5 sessions at intervals of 3 to 4 weeks are usual.
The DERMAFORCE BBL PRO lists vascular changes such as couperose as an application and has its own filters for them. If an uneven skin texture remains after the course of light treatments, the TULIX complements the treatment.
Thulium laser or BBL: which is suitable for darker skin types?
The thulium laser is suitable for darker skin types; BBL is not an option from skin type V upwards. Broadband light is absorbed by melanin. In dark skin there is so much of it in the epidermis that the skin itself becomes the target, with a risk of burns and pigment marks. The thulium laser targets water, so skin colour has hardly any influence on energy absorption. Caution is still needed, because heat can trigger pigment marks in dark skin: lower density, good cooling, longer intervals and a test patch.
The TULIX is specified for all skin types. The DERMAFORCE BBL PRO is intended for skin types I to IV and works with predefined protocols according to skin type and indication.
Thulium laser or BBL: how do sessions, duration and downtime differ?
BBL is the shorter treatment with less downtime, while the thulium laser needs somewhat more recovery. A BBL session takes 15 to 30 minutes, the redness usually subsides after a few hours, and 3 to 5 sessions at intervals of 3 to 4 weeks are usual. With the thulium laser, an appointment including preparation takes 45 to 60 minutes. The skin is red for 1 to 3 days and flakes finely between day 3 and day 7, and 3 to 5 sessions at intervals of 4 to 6 weeks are planned. For maintenance, 1 to 2 appointments a year are usually enough with both.
With its light window of 45 × 15 mm, the DERMAFORCE BBL PRO covers large areas quickly. The TULIX works with a scan field of up to 20 × 20 mm and a galvo scanner.
Thulium laser or BBL for large pores, fine lines and glow: which does more?
For pores, fine lines and a fresher skin tone, the thulium laser does more, because it renews the epidermis and stimulates collagen in the dermis. Pores look finer when the tissue around them becomes firmer, and fine lines are smoothed as new collagen forms. BBL mainly improves the colour of the skin: fewer brown spots, less redness, a more even tone. The texture benefits from this, but to a lesser degree. Many therefore combine the two, first the colour, then the texture.
The TULIX uses 1927 nm thulium at the surface and 1550 nm erbium glass at depth and lists fine lines and enlarged pores as applications. The DERMAFORCE BBL PRO likewise names pore refinement and complexion improvement as a field of application.
Is it worth having both the TULIX and the DERMAFORCE BBL PRO in the studio?
Yes, if complexion treatments are your focus, the two devices complement each other rather than overlapping. Light treats the colour of the skin, that is, brown spots and redness. The laser treats the texture, that is, pores, fine lines and scars, and it takes on many clients for whom light is not an option, for example those with darker skin types or melasma. This allows you to serve more enquiries and build courses of treatment on one another. Who is permitted to carry out which treatment is regulated differently from country to country.
The DERMAFORCE BBL PRO is intended for skin types I to IV. The TULIX is specified for all skin types, needs no consumables and has no shot limit. You can discuss whether both devices pay off for your business in the free consultation.
