Clear + Brilliant

Clear + Brilliant is a non-ablative fractional laser. That means it heats tiny columns deep in the skin without removing the surface, and it treats only a fraction of the skin at a time. The healthy skin left in between helps you heal quickly.

It works the same way as Fraxel, but at much lower energy. The gentler settings reach only the upper layers of skin. This is why it has almost no downtime — and also why each session does less than a Fraxel session.

The heat clears away dull, damaged, and lightly pigmented cells. It also nudges the skin to make fresh collagen. Over a series of treatments, skin can look brighter, smoother, and more even.

The standard device uses a 1440 nm wavelength for texture and glow. A version called Permea or Touch adds a 1927 nm wavelength that works better on surface pigment and uneven tone.

Before: Avoid sun and self-tanner for a couple of weeks. Stop retinoids for a few days if advised. Come with clean skin and no makeup.

During: Numbing cream is applied for about 30 minutes first. The handpiece glides over the skin. Most people feel warmth and mild prickling. A full face takes about 20–30 minutes.

After: Your skin feels warm and looks flushed, like a mild sunburn, for a few hours to a day. Over the next day or two it may feel rough, like fine sandpaper, and shed tiny flakes. Most people wear makeup and return to work the next day. Use gentle skincare and daily sunscreen.

Results: You may notice a glow within a few days. Smoother texture and more even tone build over the full series of 4–6 sessions. Results fade over months without upkeep, so many people book a session every few months.

Common and expected:

• Redness and mild swelling for a few hours to a day
• A warm, sunburn-like feeling right after
• A rough, sandpaper texture and light flaking for 1–2 days
• Temporary dryness

Uncommon but possible:

• Breakouts or small bumps that settle quickly
• Cold sore flare-ups in people prone to them
• Dark spots (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), though the risk is low because the energy is gentle
• Rarely, blistering or infection from settings that are too strong or poor aftercare

A note on skin tone: Clear + Brilliant is generally considered one of the safer lasers across skin tones because the energy is low. Even so, an experienced provider should adjust settings for darker skin to keep the risk of dark spots low.

Clear + Brilliant may not be right if you:

• Are pregnant or nursing (often postponed as a precaution)
• Have a deep tan or recent sun exposure
• Have an active infection, cold sore, or inflamed acne in the area
• Have taken isotretinoin recently (many providers advise waiting)
• Have a history of keloid scars
• Have melasma — treat it with care, since laser heat can sometimes worsen it; it is not a first-line fix
• Want to erase deep scars, deep wrinkles, or heavy sun damage in one go (Fraxel or a stronger laser fits those better)

Q: Is Clear + Brilliant just a weaker Fraxel?
A: Essentially, yes. It is made by the same company and works the same way, but at lower energy. That is the point — less power means almost no downtime, in trade for milder results and more sessions.

Q: How much does Clear + Brilliant cost?
A: Most sessions run about $400–$700. Because you usually need 4–6 sessions, a full series often costs $2,000–$3,000. Ask about package pricing.

Q: How much downtime is there?
A: About a day. Your skin looks flushed and feels rough, like fine sandpaper, for a day or two. Most people return to work and makeup the next morning.

Q: How many sessions will I need?
A: Usually 4–6, spaced 2–4 weeks apart, then upkeep sessions to hold the result. Results build slowly over the series.

Q: Is it safe for darker skin?
A: It is generally considered one of the safer lasers for darker skin because the energy is low. Still, choose an experienced provider who can adjust the settings for your skin type.

Q: How long do results last?
A: Results are milder and fade over months without maintenance. Many people book a session every few months to keep the glow. Daily sunscreen protects your results.