At Self Skin Studio in Wilmington, NC, our patients often ask us which treatment is better: BBL HEROic or Sciton Moxi. The truth is, we love both. They’re among our most requested treatments for fall and winter, and for good reason. Each one delivers noticeable results with minimal downtime, and both support our ongoing mission to promote skin health.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through what makes each treatment special, how they compare, why many patients love combining them, and what you can realistically expect before, during, and after your visit. Whether you’re curious about treating sun damage, smoothing texture, or planning a long-term strategy for glowing skin, BBL HEROic and Moxi have something to offer.
Why Fall and Winter Are the Perfect Seasons for Laser Treatments
While both BBL HEROic and Moxi can be performed year-round, fall and winter are especially popular times for these treatments. After a long summer of sun exposure in Wilmington—many patients notice more freckles, sunspots, redness, or overall dullness. Cooler months mean less time outdoors in direct sun, which reduces the chance of post-treatment sun sensitivity and makes it easier to stick to the aftercare guidelines.
This seasonal timing is one reason we see a surge in requests for these treatments in the fall. Patients are motivated to reverse summer sun damage, refresh their skin before holiday events, or invest in a long-term plan to keep their skin healthy and youthful through the winter.
What Is BBL HEROic?
BBL HEROic stands for BroadBand Light High Energy Rapid Output with Intelligent Control. It’s the most advanced version of Sciton’s well-known BroadBand Light (BBL) technology a major upgrade from traditional IPL (intense pulsed light). The device delivers quick bursts of light energy into the skin. This energy is absorbed by pigment and blood vessels, which allows it to target redness, brown spots, freckles, broken capillaries, and rosacea. At the same time, the light gently heats the deeper layers of skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production. Over time, this improves firmness, reduces fine lines, and enhances overall skin resilience.
Key Benefits of BBL HEROic
- Comprehensive color correction: If it’s red or brown, there’s a good chance BBL HEROic can address it.
- Zero to minimal downtime: Most patients can return to social or work activities the same day.
- Full-face precision: Unlike older devices, HEROic’s automation ensures no spots are missed.
- Quick treatments: A full-face session typically takes just 15–20 minutes.
- Molecular-level anti-aging: The Forever Young Stanford study found that consistent BBL treatments can actually reverse signs of skin aging at the DNA/RNA level.
What Is Sciton Moxi?
While BBL HEROic is the go-to treatment for pigment issues, Sciton Moxi is designed to improve skin texture, tone, and overall quality. It’s a non-ablative fractional laser, which means it creates controlled micro-injuries in the skin to stimulate cell turnover and collagen production but without removing or damaging the top layer of skin.
Moxi is often called a “prejuvenation” treatment, because it’s ideal for patients in their 20s, 30s, or 40s who want to maintain youthful skin and prevent early signs of aging. That said, it’s also effective for patients with more advanced concerns, like roughness, fine lines, and early laxity.
Key Benefits of Moxi
- The “Moxi glow”: Brighter, more radiant skin.
- Smoother texture: Reduces roughness and softens fine lines.
- Safe for all skin types: Gentle energy makes it versatile and inclusive.
- Minimal downtime: Expect a few days of mild redness and small “MENDS” as the skin renews.
- Year-round treatment: Unlike more aggressive lasers, Moxi is safe even in sunnier months.
How BBL HEROic and Moxi Work Together
One of the reasons we love these treatments so much is that they complement each other perfectly:
- BBL HEROic focuses on pigment. It clears redness, sunspots, and brown discoloration to create a clean, even canvas.
- Moxi focuses on texture. It smooths rough patches, improves elasticity, and brightens the surface of the skin.
When combined in a single session, they address the two most visible signs of aging, color and texture, creating a natural, healthy, and radiant result.
What to Expect Before, During, and After
Before treatment: We’ll start with a consultation to understand your goals and customize a treatment plan. Both BBL HEROic and Moxi are highly versatile, so we can tailor settings based on your skin type and concerns.
During treatment:
- BBL HEROic: Feels like quick, warm flashes of light. The treatment is around 30-45 minutes.
- Moxi: Feels like a light prickling sensation. Topical numbing cream makes it very tolerable.
After treatment:
- BBL HEROic: Redness usually resolves within hours. Pigment spots may temporarily darken before flaking off.
- Moxi: Mild redness for 1–3 days. Tiny MENDS appear and shed over 5–7 days, revealing fresh skin.
Timing of results:
- BBL HEROic: Brighter, more even skin tone within 2 weeks.
- Moxi: Smoother texture and radiance within 2-3 weeks.
- Combined: Improvements in pigment and texture within 2–4 weeks.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Both treatments are safe for most patients, but the best choice depends on your main concern:
- If you’re dealing with redness, rosacea, sunspots, or freckles, BBL HEROic is usually the first choice.
- If you’re more bothered by dullness, rough texture, or early fine lines, Moxi may be better.
- If you want a comprehensive refresh—especially after a summer of sun exposure, stacking both treatments is the ultimate option.
Living in Wilmington, where the sun is a constant presence, these treatments are especially valuable.
Why We Love These Treatments
At Self Skin Studio, we carefully curate our menu of treatments. BBL HEROic and Moxi stand out because they check all the boxes:
- Minimal downtime.
- Effective, visible results.
- Aligned with skin health.
- Safe and customizable.
Most importantly, they empower patients to invest in their skin long-term. That’s why they’re among our most requested services every fall and winter.
The Science of Long-Term Skin Health
What sets these treatments apart is the science behind them:
- The Stanford Forever Young study on BBL found that consistent treatments don’t just reduce pigmentation, they actually cause skin cells to behave more like younger cells.
- Moxi, by stimulating gentle cell turnover, helps maintain this momentum year-round.
This is why we love combining these treatments in ongoing maintenance plans. They’re not just about how your skin looks today, they’re about ensuring it looks healthy, youthful, and vibrant in the years ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many BBL Heroic treatments do I need?
Most patients see best results with a series of three sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart, followed by maintenance.
Does it hurt?
BBL HEROic feels like flashes of warmth; Moxi feels like light prickling.
When can I wear makeup after my laser treatment?
Usually within 24 hours after BBL HEROic, and after 3 days with Moxi.
Are results permanent?
No treatment can stop the natural aging process, but regular maintenance can help your skin look years younger for much longer.
At Self Skin Studio, we love offering treatments that are safe, effective, and science-backed. BBL HEROic and Sciton Moxi are two of our favorites, and they’re especially popular in fall and winter. Whether used individually or stacked together, they give our patients brighter, smoother, healthier skin with minimal downtime and they support our mission of long-term skin health.
References
1. Bitter, P., & Pozner, J. (2020). BroadBand Light: Skin rejuvenation and treatment of pigmented and vascular lesions. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
2. Sciton. (2024). Moxi Laser: Fractional non-ablative laser for prejuvenation. Retrieved from https://sciton.com
3. Sciton. (2024). BBL HEROic: BroadBand Light HEROic system overview. Retrieved from https://sciton.com
4. American Academy of Dermatology. (2023). Lasers and lights: Improve your skin. Retrieved from https://www.aad.org
Curious about BBL HEROic or Sciton Moxi in Wilmington, NC
Peer Reviewed by Chelsea Delgado, RN
Chelsea brings nearly seven years of experience in Medical Aesthetics, specializing in injectable and laser treatments. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Chelsea began her nursing career with a focus on Aesthetic Medicine and quickly realized her passion for helping others feel confident and beautiful in their own skin.
