Hyperpigmentation Laser Treatment with BBL HEROic and HALO
Treat hyperpigmentation with a customized plan. BBL HEROic clears sun spots, HALO refines tone and texture, and expert care keeps downtime minimal.
Hyperpigmentation tells the story of past sun exposure, inflammation, and time. Modern laser technology can rewrite that story, revealing skin that looks clearer, fresher, and more radiant.
With BBL® HEROic™ and HALO®, the specialists at Balikian Plastic Surgery design treatment plans that fit your skin tone, lifestyle, and desired results. The goal is safe, effective pigment correction with smoother texture and a healthy, luminous glow.
What Is Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation appears as brown spots, patches, or general uneven tone.
Common types include:
- Sun spots and lentigines from UV exposure
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after acne or irritation
- Melasma influenced by hormones, heat and sun
- Diffuse dyschromia from long-term photoaging
Skincare can help, but stubborn pigment often needs targeted energy to lift discoloration safely and predictably.
Why Lasers and Light Work for Pigment
Melanin absorbs specific wavelengths. By delivering controlled energy to the epidermis and upper dermis, we can break up excess pigment, prompt it to lift to the surface and stimulate fresh, more even skin renewal.
The right device depends on where the pigment sits, how it formed and your skin tone.
BBL® HEROic™ for Sun Spots and Blotchiness
BBL HEROic is advanced broadband light. It targets brown spots efficiently over larger areas for a fast, even tone refresh on the face, neck, chest, and hands.
Best for
- Sun spots and mottled discoloration
- Early redness and color irregularity from photoaging
- Quick, low-downtime improvement across wide zones
What to expect
- Sessions are brief and tailored to your skin tone
- Spots darken, then flake within days as the skin clears
- Little to no social downtime for most patients
These treatments gently lift unwanted pigment while keeping surrounding skin safe, giving you a fresher, more even tone with minimal disruption to your routine.
HALO® Hybrid Fractional for Pigment Plus Texture
HALO combines a non-ablative wavelength that stimulates renewal with an ablative Er:YAG that polishes the surface. You get meaningful improvement in pigment and texture with balanced downtime.
Best for
- Mixed concerns: pigment, fine lines, roughness, and enlarged pores
- Deeper or recurrent discoloration that needs fractional precision
- Patients who can allow several recovery days for a visible jump in clarity
What to expect
- Topical anesthetic for comfort
- A few days of warmth and redness followed by light flaking or bronzing
- Noticeable clarity after one session and cumulative gains with a series
HALO helps restore a luminous, even-toned complexion with smoother texture and visible clarity that continues to improve over time.
What’s Right For Me?
Clear, healthy skin starts with choosing the right technology for your pigment type and skin needs.
- Scattered sun spots and overall tone – Start with BBL HEROic. Add a fractional pass later or plan a future HALO session for texture and deeper dyspigmentation.
- Pigment plus texture – Choose HALO to address color and surface in one path. Expect a more noticeable change with moderate downtime.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after acne – Use conservative settings and staged treatments to protect against rebound darkening. We often combine non-ablative fractional therapy, gentle BBL staging and medical skincare.
- Melasma – A gentle, layered approach is essential. We pair cautious energy settings with pigment-suppressing topicals and strict UV and heat control. The goal is steady improvement with minimal flare risk.
The specialists at Balikian Plastic Surgery will guide you to the safest, most effective plan for your pigment type and skin goals.
Safe for All Skin Tones
Every skin type can benefit with careful planning. Potential options for deeper Fitzpatrick tones:
- Prime skin with pigment-suppressing care
- Use conservative energy and spot-testing when appropriate
- Emphasize sunscreen and heat avoidance before and after
This reduces the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation while delivering visible results.
Your Treatment Plan
Beautiful, even skin starts with a plan designed just for you. Our team thoughtfully maps your pigment, selects the right technology, and guides you through treatment and recovery with comfort and safety in mind.
Step 1: Mapping your pigment
- We identify type, depth, and triggers, then match device and settings to your goals and skin tone.
Step 2: The session
- BBL HEROic feels like quick snaps of light
- HALO feels warm with topical numbing and cooling
- Combination plans are common and tailored to your calendar
Step 3: Aftercare
- Gentle cleanser and bland moisturizer
- Daily broad-spectrum SPF, hats, shade and heat moderation
- No scrubs or picking while pigment lifts
This personalized approach helps you achieve clearer, brighter skin while protecting its health and ensuring a comfortable recovery.
Recovery Timeline
Healing after laser treatment follows a predictable pattern, but the experience differs slightly between BBL HEROic and HALO. Knowing what to expect helps you plan and feel confident as your skin renews.
BBL HEROic
- Day 0 to 1: Redness is mild to moderate.
- Days 2 to 5: Spots look darker and then flake.
- Day 5 to 7: Tone appears clearer and more even.
HALO
- Day 0: Warmth and redness are expected.
- Days 1 to 3: Redness reduces. Skin may feel bronzed or sand-papery.
- Days 4 to 7: Light flaking reveals brighter, smoother skin.
- Weeks 2 to 4: Ongoing clarity and glow as collagen remodeling begins.
By following your personalized aftercare plan, you can protect your results, minimize downtime, and enjoy steadily brighter, more even-toned skin.
Results and Maintenance
You will see improvement within one to two weeks for BBL HEROic and progressive clarity over two to four weeks after HALO.
Because sun exposure is ongoing, maintenance keeps your results bright. We will build a simple schedule that fits your lifestyle.
Reveal Your Radiance
Hyperpigmentation Laser Treatment FAQs
Is laser hyperpigmentation removal permanent?
Cleared pigment can recur with sun or heat. Daily sunscreen and maintenance treatments help results last.
How many sessions will I need?
Sun spots often respond in one to two BBL HEROic sessions. Mixed pigment and texture may need one to two HALO sessions or a staged plan.
Is this safe for darker skin tones?
Yes with customization. We prime the skin, use conservative settings, and provide strict SPF guidance to lower PIH risk.
Can I combine BBL HEROic and HALO?
Yes. Many patients achieve the best results by pairing BBL HEROic for color with HALO for texture and deeper pigment.
What if I have melasma?
We use cautious energy, pigment-suppressing skincare, and rigorous sun and heat protection. Expect steady, realistic improvement with a low flare risk strategy.
Will I need time off?
Most patients do not need social downtime after BBL HEROic. HALO usually requires several recovery days. We plan around your calendar.
When can I wear makeup?
Often within 24 to 48 hours after BBL HEROic and around day 3 to 4 after HALO, depending on your settings.
What are the risks?
Temporary redness, swelling, and flaking are common. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is uncommon when protocols are followed, especially in deeper skin tones. We review your personalized risk and prevention plan at consultation.
How do I keep results looking great?
Daily sunscreen, hats, shade, gentle skincare, and periodic maintenance treatments.
Learn More About Our MedSpa Treatments
Key Scientific Research
Read the Science
- Chang ALS, et al. Rejuvenation of Gene Expression Pattern of Aged Human Skin by Broadband Light Treatment. J Invest Dermatol. 2013.
- Hennessey E, et al. A Novel Combination of BBL HERO and MOXI for UV-Induced Hyperpigmentation. Dermatol Ther. 2024.
- Waibel J, et al. Hybrid Fractional Laser: A Multi-Center Trial on the Safety and Efficacy for Photorejuvenation. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018.
- Fusano M, et al. Hybrid Fractional Laser Treatment for Photodamaged Facial Skin: A Comparative Study. Lasers Surg Med. 2022.
- Shenhav LT, et al. Hybrid Fractional Laser Facial Resurfacing. Lasers Surg Med. 2024.
- Vingan NR, et al. Investigating the Efficacy of a Fractionated 1927-nm Laser for Diffuse Dyspigmentation and Actinic Changes. Lasers Surg Med. 2023.
- Friedmann DP, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Intense Pulsed Light with a KTP-like Filter for Solar Lentigines. Lasers Surg Med. 2019.
- Sasaya H, et al. Clinical effectiveness of IPL for Solar Lentigines on Hands. Lasers Med Sci. 2011.
- Sarkar R, et al. Lasers in Melasma: Review with Consensus Recommendations. Indian J Dermatol. 2017.
- Davis EC, Callender VD. Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation: Review of Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Treatment. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010.
Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery: Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Tyler Frew, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
