Let us be honest – having perfect skin is something we all wish for. We all want smooth, even toned, and glowing skin, and the beauty industry is aware of this desire.
That is why there are so many treatments out there, with new ones appearing all the time.
One of the more experimental treatments for achieving flawless skin is the semi-permanent BB cream facial. It claims to enhance skin tone, hide imperfections, and maintain this effect for a longer time!
Sounds promising, right? But does it really work? Is it safe? Is it worth trying? Let us find answers to these questions and more.
What does Semi-Permanent BB Cream mean?
Known as BB glow, semi-permanent BB cream is a facial treatment where colored serums are put into the face skin using either microneedling or nanoneedling.
Microneedling uses thin needles to make tiny channels down to the dermis, which is the second layer of the skin.
Although microneedling was used in the past for BB glow, it is not common now because it goes too deep, and the serums should not go that far. The dermis does not exfoliate, so the colors could get stuck forever.
Nanoneedling is a better choice. In this method, a pen-like device with a flat disc covered in tiny pins is pressed against the skin, making small punctures in the outermost layer, called the epidermis.
Since the epidermis naturally sheds itself, the colors fade away over time. That is why you need follow-up sessions.
Doing a series of BB cream facials builds up the color in the epidermis, making the skin tone look better.
How Effective Is This?
A semi-permanent BB cream facial can make your skin look better, but it will not make it perfect.
As the name suggests, the treatment gives you an improvement like when you wear BB cream, which is a kind of light-coverage foundation that also moisturizes. It will not give you a completely flawless look, but it is better than just using regular foundation. The effects are temporary – they last until your skin renews itself – but they stick around longer than regular foundation.
However, there are some other good things about this treatment, especially when it comes to the nanoneedling technique it uses. This technique, which is part of the modern BB cream facial, can help with different skin problems.
A Brief Overview of Nanoneedling
Nanoneedling is precisely what its name suggests – a procedure where tiny punctures, on a nanoscale, are created across the skin using extremely fine pins. Though this controlled trauma is superficial, it can stimulate an increased production of collagen.
Collagen is a vital protein for skin structure. It gets a boost in production and leading to countless benefits:
- Enhancing skin texture
- Improving firmness
- Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Healing acne scars
- Diminishing discoloration
- Evening out skin tone
- Providing a healthy glow
It is a comprehensive approach to rejuvenating the skin. However, it is worth noting that collagen induction through nanoneedling is not as intense as with other methods, especially when compared to traditional microneedling, since the trauma is superficial.
Are there any drawbacks to keep in mind?
Yes, indeed. The semi-permanent BB cream facial lacks FDA approval and comes with several known risks, along with potential unknown ones. Let us take a closer look at them.
Is the Semi-Permanent BB Cream Facial Safe?
The main concern with this treatment revolves around the formulation of tinted serums. Despite various brands using different formulas, a sizable number of them contain a substance called titanium dioxide.
Titanium dioxide, a white pigment commonly used as a base in skin-toned cosmetics, can pose problems when introduced into the skin rather than applied on top of it.
Although pigments are not meant to penetrate the dermis, there are instances, especially with repeated treatments, where this happens, leading to serious risks.
Known side effects of long-term titanium dioxide exposure include:
- Discoloration over time
- Potential textural changes to the skin
- Immediate or delayed allergies
Discoloration
Since this is a facial treatment, the skin where pigments are applied is inevitably exposed to sunlight. When titanium dioxide interacts with sunlight, it may turn yellowish or greenish, resulting in visible staining on the skin.
Moreover, skin with deposited titanium dioxide cannot be treated with laser procedures, as this substance darkens when exposed to laser beams.
Textural Changes
As molecules are deposited into the skin, the body may reject this foreign matter over time, causing pigments to rise to the skin’s surface and create visible bumps. The skin might form a barrier around these molecules, leading to the emergence of granulomas—capsules the skin produces around foreign substances it cannot extract. This process can cause noticeable texture changes to the skin.
Allergies
The serums used in a semi-permanent BB cream facial can contain over 40 ingredients, and sometimes not all of them are disclosed, posing an elevated risk of allergic reactions.
To complicate matters, allergies may not manifest immediately, making it challenging even with patch tests to prevent them. Allergic reactions can develop over the years due to prolonged exposure, surprising individuals unexpected.
Is the treatment worth it?
If the BB cream facial is done well, your skin can look super nice, and you might not need to use foundation for a while. But if something goes wrong and the colors stay in your skin, it can cause problems.
Usually, BB glow helps with the outside problems on your skin, not the real problem inside. If you want to fix a skin issue, other treatments like microneedling or chemical peels can be better and safer.
Note: This special treatment yet does not have the okay from the Food and Drug Administration. Because there’s lack of federal oversight, we do not know if the colors used are good or clean. Also, the BB cream does not stay forever. It might disappear in a weird way, so you might need your usual foundation again for an even look.
FAQs
- Is the BB Glow treatment approved by the U.S. FDA?
- No, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not given its approval for the BB Glow treatment.
- Why is the lack of FDA approval concerning?
- Without approval, there is no guarantee about the quality or cleanliness of the pigments used in the BB Glow treatment.
- Is the BB cream used in the treatment permanent?
- No, the BB cream used in this treatment is semi-permanent, meaning it will fade over time.
- What is the concern about uneven fading in BB Glow?
- The BB cream may fade unevenly, which could lead to an uneven complexion, requiring a return to regular foundation for the desired even look.
- How long does the BB cream last in the BB Glow treatment?
- The BB cream used in the BB Glow treatment is semi-permanent and can fade over time. The duration can vary, and uneven fading may occur, making it essential to understand the potential longevity of the treatment.
References
- Make-Up, P. BB Glow & Microneedling–Risks & Benefits.
- Nelson, A. A., & Cohen, J. L. Complications of temporary, semi-permanent and permanent fillers (pp. 325-339). China: Mosby.
