Fractional Laser Resurfacing At A Glance
- Best Results2-4 sessions
- Treatment Recovery1-4 days
- Procedure Time5 to 30 mins
- Skin SpecialistDermal Therapist
- Duration of Results6-36 + months
- AnaestheticNumbing Cream
- Back to Work0-4 days
- Cost$ Entry level laser resurfacing
Fractional Laser Resurfacing - Clear & Brilliant Fraxel
Fractional laser resurfacing is a gentle resurfacing treatment for patients with unwanted pigmentation, enlarged pores, fine wrinkles & sun damage. This treatment is essentially a mini-Fraxel procedure with a downtime of only 1-4 days. I primarily utilize Clear & Brilliant as a maintenance laser after bigger procedures.
FactsFacts on Fractional Laser Resurfacing
- This laser is a step towards gentle fractional resurfacing of the skin
- Ideal for the treatment & prevention of fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores & pigment
- All skin types can be treated- from fair skin to darker ethnic skin types
- Result can be tailored according to the treatment energy & number of passes
- Clear & Brilliant is essential a mini Fraxel laser with a downtime of only 2-4 days
- This laser is best used to help maintain results from previous procedures
Fractional Laser Resurfacing
This fractional laser can help treat AND prevent age related changes including wrinkles, sun spots, pigmentation & enlarged pores.
Clinical studies shows that this laser can:
- Improve the look of fine lines
- Reduce the appearance of enlarged pores
- Improve skin tone, texture & pigmentation
How many sessions will I require?
Depending on your diagnosis and your expectations, most patients require 2-4 sessions. We usually space treatments 4-6 weeks apart.
If your diagnosis and skin type lends itself to more dramatic treatments, we may advise you to consider the Fraxel laser or the Lase MD Ultra 1927 Thulium Laser (considered the big brother of Clear & Brilliant). Fraxel & the Ultra MD is 4-8 times more powerful than Clear and Brilliant, meaning only 1-2 sessions are required.
Is the treatment painful?
No, Clear and Brilliant is a gentle laser that only requires topical numbing cream. No sedation is required for this procedure.
How long is the procedure?
Numbing cream takes 60 minutes to work. The procedure itself takes 30 minutes to perform.
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What will I look like after the procedure?
Skin will be slightly red for 12-24 hours. Delayed peeling occurs on day 2, healing by day 4. Recovery can be tailored according to downtime. Treat on Saturday, back to work on Monday.
How will I know if Clear and Brilliant Laser is suited for my concerns?
C & B can be used on all skin types, however patients with mild wrinkles, open pores & early sun damage are best suited for this laser. Book in for an obligation free assessment by my team of dermal therapists & nurses @cutis_dermatology.
Can Clear and Brilliant treat acne scars?
For very mild and early acne scarring, fractional lasers can be useful. My favoured acne scar lasers include low density fractional CO2 lasers including the Ultrapulse, CORE CO2, Mixto Laser, eCO2 as well as erbium Profractional lasers. Clear and Brilliant is more suited for enlarged pores & superficial treatments such as pigmentation. I also employ the Ultra Lase MD by Lutronic for mild cases. Tixel is best for mild, early acne scarring.
For patients with early acne scars associated with brown pigmentation, also known as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, Pico lasers are best. Red acne scars, known as post inflammatory erythema, are best treated with vascular lasers.
What are the possible side effects of Clear and Brilliant lasers?
Side effects are extremely rare with this laser. The most frequent side effect is rebound pigmentation, especially in patients who suffer melasma. On this basis we employ this laser as a second or third line melasma treatment, favouring more gentle lasers to treat this condition. Rebound rosacea is also very rare. For patients who suffer from cold sores, antiviral medications are prescribed on the day of the laser.
What is the science behind this laser?
C & B laser is a gentle non-ablative laser that has two wavelengths. The superficial Permea wavelength of 1927 is most frequently used, while the deeper non-ablative wavelengths can help treat ‘deeper’ pathology including mild wrinkles & early acne scars.
I find the Permea wavelength most useful as it addresses skin quality, whilst assisting topicals such as skin care actives & antioxidants penetrate the skin. As C & B is classed as a non-ablative laser, downtime is kept to a minimum.
Another laser that is very similar to Clear & Brilliant is the Lase MD Ultra. It uses the same wavelength but is powered by Thulium rather than Diode. This laser can give better results than Clear & Brilliant if applied correctly.
What lasers are more effective than Clear and Brilliant?
Clear and Brilliant is a non-ablative laser which is essentially a Fraxel laser capped at 25% of the potential power of bigger lasers. C & B is ideal for mild skin concerns, however the more powerful Fraxel laser & the Lase MD Ultra can give better results for patients with heavy pigmentation, sun damage, sun spots, wrinkles & skin laxity. The flip side is that more powerful lasers have a longer recovery time, ranging from 4-9 days, depending on the type of laser & the settings.
As a guide-
- CO2 lasers are great for scars, wrinkles, laxity, eye rejuvenation, & severe sun damage. Downtime ranges from 5-12 days.
- Fraxel Dual is most frequently used for moderate wrinkles, textural change, and solar keratosis (sun spots).
- Lase Ultra MD gives better results than both the C & B as well as the Fraxel, especially if combined with other wavelengths.
- Erbium Fractional laser is good for darker skin types (3-5) with pigmentation and mild wrinkles. Downtime ranges between 4-10 days, depending on the settings and density.
- RFM or RadioFrequency Microneedling is not a laser. This treatment is delivered via insulated needles into the deeper layers of skin. RMF is best for scars & laxity.
- Pico lasers including the Picoway give better but also safer results when treating ethnic skin types.
What is the cost of C & B laser resurfacing?
For an accurate quote, please call Cutis Dermatology. My nurses and dermal therapists will discuss if you are suited for this treatment. Fractional lasers are cost effective methods of skin rejuvenation.
Why choose Clinic Cutis?
My clinical staff are taught to assess each patient individually, and apply the best technology based upon clinical examination. We approach each case in a medical manner, namely to diagnose then treat. By combining clinical examination with the latest in technology, my team will deliver the correct treatment for your skin concerns.
Davin’s take on Clear & Brilliant Laser Resurfacing
The name says it all, literally clear & brilliant technology. The only thing I dislike about the device is the consumables that have been built into the laser. This unfortunately gets passed on to the patient, with the profits going back to the parent company for more ads & marketing. This point aside, the diode driven 1927 is probably my favourite wavelength for low downtime, almost no downtime skin rejuvenation. Unlike pico laser – Picosure, 1927 laser does not depend on the target chromophore (skin colour). With simple to use treatment levels, we can tailor power & passes according to the skin condition, skin colour of the patient, downtime, & expectations.
From 2021& beyond, most of my Fraxel devices are over a decade old, technology has moved on, & hence I will transition to the newest laser technology, namely the Lase MD Ultra. It provides much better outcomes in less time compared to the Fraxel as well as the Clear & Brilliant laser.