FAQS

BBL stands for BroadBand Light—a form of light-based phototherapy that delivers filtered pulses of light to the skin’s surface. We use it to address concerns like uneven pigment, redness/visible vessels, and overall skin quality on the face and body. At NovaLux we use Sciton’s latest generation system (BBL HEROic), which is designed to treat large areas efficiently while your clinician customises settings for your skin.

As with any light treatment, suitability and outcomes vary—your clinician will assess your skin and advise a plan just for you

Australian law now prohibits advertising prescription-only medicines to the public.

Most cosmetic injectables (e.g., anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers) are Schedule 4 medicines, so we aren’t allowed to promote them online using brand names—or even indirect terms, abbreviations, or hashtags that point to a specific medicine.

We follow the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and AHPRA rules to the letter, which is why you won’t see those words here. If injectables are clinically suitable for you, we’ll discuss options, risks and benefits in your consultation.

If you are interested in learning more about these types of treatments and whether you may be a suitable candidate for them, please book the LONG cosmetic consult for your initial booking and our very experienced Cosmetic Registered Nurse Joanna can discuss this as well as any other treatments you may be interested in over a no obligation, 60 min free consult.

Both are light-based treatments, but they’re not the same.

• IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a broad-spectrum flash of light filtered for skin concerns like pigment and redness. It’s a proven, non-laser phototherapy that’s been used for years

• BBL HEROic is Sciton’s latest generation of IPL-class technology. It still uses filtered broad-spectrum light, but adds engineering upgrades—High Energy Rapid Output (HERO), advanced sapphire contact cooling, large-area “in-motion” delivery, and smart controls in HEROic—to treat bigger areas more evenly and efficiently while maintaining comfort. Your clinician can fine-tune filters and settings to your skin and goals.

Bottom line: IPL is the category; BBL HEROic is a modern, high-spec platform within that category.

We’ll help you decide whether BBL HEROic or another modality (e.g., HALO laser) is the better fit at your consultation, based on your skin, medical history, and goals.

DermapenTM is a medically engineered and developed skin needling device that utilises 16 surgical grade sterile micro-needles to deliver effortless and effective skin needling. DermapenTM's unique operation offers superior concentration and safety to trigger the skin's own natural healing mechanisms, resulting in striking rejuvenation and correction.

As the DermapenTM is gently guided and glided over the skin, microscopic channels are lightly stamped into the skin's matrix, stimulating an inflammatory or wound healing response. This promotes intense renewal, repair, and rejuvenation. Natural growth factors are released to stimulate reformation and deposition of fresh restructuring collagen. Unlike most skin rejuvenation treatments, DermapenTM directly targets three major cell types (keratinocytes, melanocytes, and fibroblasts) and promotes scarless wound healing via a controlled wound healing system.

The skin is composed of three main layers (hypodermis, dermis, and epidermis) each containing major cell groups (e.g. fibroblasts and melanocytes). Such groups are directly and indirectly targeted by a DermapenTM treatment, depending on the needle depth chosen by your practitioner. The epidermis and the dermis are the key skin layers to be targeted.

HALO is a resurfacing laser; BBL is a light-based phototherapy. They complement each other but do different jobs.

• Technology
  

  • HALO = a hybrid fractional laser that fires two wavelengths at once (non-ablative ~1470 nm + ablative ~2940 nm) to resurface skin and trigger collagen remodelling.

  • BBL/HEROic = BroadBand Light (an advanced IPL platform) that delivers filtered pulses of light to target pigment, redness/visible vessels and overall skin tone/quality. It’s not a laser.

• Best for
  

  • HALO: texture, pores, fine lines, acne scarring, sun damage—when you want visible resurfacing with controlled downtime.

  • BBL/HEROic: blotchy pigment, freckles, sun spots, facial redness/broken capillaries, and complexion evenness—usually with minimal downtime

• Downtime & feel
  

  • HALO: expect a few days of bronzing/peel and “sandpapery” feel as the skin renews.

  • BBL/HEROic: typically mild redness; pigment may darken (“coffee-ground” look) then lift over days. HEROic adds rapid delivery and advanced cooling for comfort and speed.

• How we choose
  

  • If your main concern is tone (brown/red) → we often start with BBL.

  • If you also want texture/lines/scars addressed → HALO (sometimes combined with BBL in a staged plan).

Your clinician will tailor settings and timing after assessing your skin and medical history.

Note: BBL is a light therapy in the IPL family;

HALO is a true laser resurfacing treatment

Different tools for different outcomes. We’ll discuss suitability, risks, aftercare and alternatives in a your consultation before any treatment.

A DermapenTM treatment will take 45-90 minutes.

A strong compounded topical anaesthetic cream (containing Benzocaine 20%, Lignocaine 10%, and Tetracaine 6%) will be applied for 20 minutes before your treatment to ensure optimum comfort. However, some patients find the treatment quite tolerable without topical anaesthetic so it is also possible to not have anaesthetic applied if you would prefer this option.

Skin rejuvenation: By removing the damaged outer skin layers, chemical peels stimulate the production of new collagen and elastin, which helps improve skin texture and elasticity.

Reduction of wrinkles and fine lines: Chemical peels can smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, giving the skin a more youthful appearance.

Even skin tone: Peels can help fade areas of hyperpigmentation, sun spots and melasma, leading to a more even skin tone.

Acne treatment: Chemical peels can be beneficial in treating acne and reducing the appearance of acne scars.

Minimise pores: Peels can help unclog pores and reduce their size, leading to smoother-looking skin.

Improve skin texture: Peels can address rough, dry, and dull skin, leaving it smoother and more vibrant.

Enhances product absorption: After a chemical peel, skincare products can penetrate more effectively into the skin, maximising their benefits.

Treatments can be attended every 4-8 weeks- depending on the skin condition and the skin response during the treatment. However, generally treatments are attended every 6 weeks and a course of 3-6 treatments may be required for optimal results. The positive effects of DermapenTM treatments can be seen for up to 24 months and maintenance treatments can be attended as needed.

DermapenTM may safely be used on all Fitzpatrick Skin Types (this includes fair skin to dark skin).

Treatments can effectively treat and manage the following conditions:

• Collagen Induction Therapy/Skin Rejuvenation

• Ageing/Rhytids (wrinkles)

• Ultraviolet Damage

• Hyperpigmentation and Hypopigmentation

• Vitiligo

• Rosacea

• Sebhorrhoea

• Problematic/Breakouts/Acne

• Enlarged/Dilated Pores

• Milia

• Keratosis Pilaris

• Scarring

• Striae (Stretch Marks)

Peels are a cosmetic procedure involving the application of a solution to the skin which can cause controlled exfoliation and peeling of the outermost layers of the skin. This process stimulates skin cell turnover and can reduce the accumulation of dead skin cells and promote a brighter and more youthful complexion, as well as help acne and ageing concerns. In particular, a faster cell turnover rate means your skin may respond better to any sun damage by replicating cells more efficiently and quickly to replace damaged cells with new cells and avoid further ageing.

During the peel treatment you may experience a slight tingling, itching, redness, or heat on the skin. This is due to the active ingredients within the products performing the treatment.

Peels can be used on the face, neck, decolletage, back, and backs of hands.

The depth of the facial peel depends on the substance used and its concentration. Peels are classified into three categories based on how deeply they affect the skin:

Superficial peels- exfoliate epidermal layers without going beyond the basal layer. They are effective in treating minor skin issues and have minimal downtime.

Medium-depth peels- reach the upper layers of the dermis down to the papillary dermis. Medium depth peels may require some downtime for the skin to heal properly.(please note: these peels are not available at NovaLux)

Deep peels- remove the papillary dermis and reach the reticular dermis. They are the most aggressive type of chemical peel and require more extended downtime and careful aftercare due to the more substantial impact on the skin. (please note: these peels are not available at NovaLux)

At NovaLux we will typically use Halo laser as a more effective means of targeting deeper dermal levels.

Due to the skin’s natural regeneration process, Ultraceuticals peels are recommended every 2 weeks for 6 peels and then can move to monthly maintenance treatments if required.

AHA (Mandelic) Peel:

- Treats the key concerns of acne prone and congested skin, pores, and uneven texture.

- This peel targets excess oil and cell build up.

- Mandelic Acid and Clove Oil deeply cleanse to reduce build up and clear pores.

AHA (Lactic) Peel:

- Treats the key concerns of dryness, dehydration, and loss of firmness.

- Increases skin hydration and restores radiance to improve luminosity.

- Promotes cell turnover (by gently eliminating the build-up of dead skin cells) and refines skin texture, which encourages production of hyaluronic acid to increase hydration.

PHA (Polyhydroxy Acid) Resurfacing Peel:

- Treats the key concerns of dryness, dehydration, sensitivity, and redness.

- A gentle resurfacing peel for smoother and more glowing skin.

- PHAs work similarly to AHAs as an effective exfoliator but have a low risk of causing skin irritations, like burning and stinging.

- Exfoliates, moisturises, plumps, and cleanses surface impurities to reduce the appearance of fine lines and to promote even skin tone.

- Sodium Hyaluronate and Panthenol calm and soothe while reinforcing the skin's natural barrier. This results in improvement in the appearance of dehydrated, dull, and coarse skin texture.

A-Zyme® Peel:

- Treats the key concerns of fine lines and wrinkles, discolouration, loss of firmness, dull and lacklustre skin, and acne prone and congested skin.

- The A-Zyme® Peel combines potent Vitamin A (Retinol) and Bromelain to soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, even skin tone and plump the skin for a more youthful-looking and instantly glowing complexion.

- Bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapple, helps brighten the skin’s surface by exfoliating the build-up of dead skin cells, while Retinol promotes a rejuvenated complexion by improving skin brightness, clarity and luminosity.

- Results are instant and continue to develop. Optimal results are visible 2 weeks post-treatment.