Comparison

Moxi Laser vs Clear + Brilliant

Two gentle fractional lasers with almost the same job. The real differences are wavelength options, session count and what each is cleared to treat.
Written & medically reviewed by the Dermapedia team
At a Glance

These are the two gentlest fractional lasers in common use, and they compete for the same appointment: a low-downtime treatment for dullness and early sun damage.

Both are non-ablative and fractional, meaning they treat the skin in microscopic columns and leave the surface intact.

The honest summary: they are more alike than different. Which one you are offered usually reflects which device the clinic owns.

Moxi
Sciton, 1927 nm
Clear + Brilliant
Solta, 1440 nm and 1927 nm

What it is

Non-ablative fractional thulium laser

One wavelength, 1927 nm.

Non-ablative fractional laser, two handpieces

1440 nm for texture, 1927 nm for surface pigment.

What it targets

Surface pigment, dullness, early sun damage
The same, with the handpiece chosen to match
Both
Ask which Clear + Brilliant handpiece is planned. The two do different jobs and the name on the booking does not tell you which you are getting.

Intensity

Adjustable, and typically the stronger of the two
Deliberately gentle — often described as a "lunchtime" treatment

Downtime

Redness day one, then a few days of bronzed, sandpapery texture
Redness and a sandpapery feel, usually settling faster

Sessions

Sciton quotes three to four
Usually a course of four to six, then maintenance
Both
The gentler the treatment, the more of them you need. That is the trade in both directions.

What it is cleared to treat

Soft tissue coagulation, actinic keratosis, benign pigmented spots
Cleared for coagulation of soft tissue and general skin resurfacing
Both
Neither is cleared for melasma. Both are used for it off-label, and the evidence for lasting benefit is weak.

Who tends to be happy with it

Best for
Visible sun spots you want lifted, with a few days of texture you can hide.
The mindset
Fewer, slightly stronger sessions.
Best for
Overall dullness and maintenance, with minimal disruption.
The mindset
Regular, very gentle upkeep.

How to choose between them

Honestly: by provider, not by device. Both are well-established, both are gentle, and neither has been shown to beat the other in a head-to-head trial, because no such trial exists.

Two things worth asking:

  • How many sessions, and what does the whole course cost? A cheaper session that needs six of them is not cheaper.
  • What are you treating? If the answer is deeper texture or scarring, neither of these is the right tool and a stronger laser should be on the table.

A note on expectations

These are gradual treatments. Neither produces the kind of change people post before-and-after photos of after one visit. What they do well is lift surface colour and improve how the skin catches light, cumulatively, over a course.

If you are expecting one appointment to change your skin, you will be disappointed by both.

Before you book

If you get cold sores, tell your provider. Either treatment can reactivate the virus, and antiviral medication started in advance is the standard precaution.

Call your provider if

  • Blistering, crusting or weeping appears that you were not warned about
  • Redness or swelling increases after day three rather than settling
  • A cluster of small painful blisters appears — that can be a cold sore flare and needs treating
Questions people ask+
Is Moxi stronger than Clear + Brilliant?Generally yes. Moxi is typically run at higher settings and asks for a few more days of visible texture. Clear + Brilliant is deliberately gentle.
Which needs fewer sessions?Moxi, usually. Sciton quotes three to four sessions, against a typical Clear + Brilliant course of four to six. Compare the cost of the whole course rather than one visit.
Are they the same laser?No, but they are the same category: non-ablative fractional. Both offer a 1927 nm wavelength for surface pigment; Clear + Brilliant also has a 1440 nm handpiece.
Which is better for melasma?Neither is cleared for melasma, and the published evidence shows benefit fading by around three months. Melasma is usually better served by topical treatment and oral options than by a laser alone.
Which has less downtime?Clear + Brilliant, slightly. Both leave you red for a day and sandpapery for a few.
Can I wear makeup after?Most providers allow it after about 24 hours, but advice varies between clinics. Follow the instructions you were given.
Which should I book?For surface colour and dullness, either. The provider's experience matters more than which device is in the room.