Clear + Brilliant vs. Fraxel

Many patients often opt for laser resurfacing treatments to improve dark spots, skin texture, fine lines, pore size, pigmentation, and uneven skin tone. With numerous laser options available, choosing the right treatment can be challenging. Two of the most popular non-ablative lasers used for skin rejuvenation at Dr. Michele Green’s dermatology clinic are the Clear + Brilliant Permea laser and the Fraxel Dual laser. Both are fractional laser treatments, with Fraxel being a more intense, deeper procedure, while Clear + Brilliant offers a gentler, more superficial option. Scheduling a consultation with Dr. Green at her private NYC dermatology practice can help you determine which laser treatment best suits your skin.

The Fraxel laser is an FDA-approved fractional skin resurfacing device designed to treat various skin issues, including acne scars, sun damage, brown spots, fine lines, enlarged pores, age spots, surgical scars, and other concerns related to skin texture and tone. The Fraxel Dual laser uses fractionated technology to penetrate the dermis, improving skin texture and tone without damaging the epidermis. Many patients appreciate the cosmetic benefits of Fraxel because it provides long-lasting, natural-looking results with minimal downtime and few side effects. The Clear and Brilliant laser, often called a “mini Fraxel,” is a gentler option that helps reduce the appearance of sun damage, acne scars, fine lines, and uneven skin tone and texture. When combined with a vitamin C serum, this treatment brightens and protects your skin. At her private dermatology clinic in NYC’s Upper East Side, Dr. Green offers both the Clear + Brilliant laser and the Fraxel Dual laser to address a wide range of skin concerns and help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified dermatologist, is an expert in cosmetic dermatology with over 25 years of experience offering some of the world’s most selective men and women top non-invasive facial rejuvenation options. Dr. Green has been consistently recognized as one of New York’s top physicians by Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, New York Magazine, and The New York Times for her expertise and dedication to her patients. She is known for her ‘less is more’ philosophy and holistic approach to skin revitalization treatments, providing natural-looking, long-lasting results. After discussing your specific skin concerns and personal cosmetic goals, Dr. Green will collaborate with you to develop a personalized skin treatment plan that includes the most suitable skincare and minimally invasive procedures to help you look and feel your best.

The difference between the Clear + Brilliant and Fraxel:

Clear + Brilliant® is a non-ablative, non-invasive laser developed by Solta Medical, the maker of Fraxel® laser. It is often called the “mini-Fraxel” because it delivers results similar to those of the Fraxel laser without the downtime usually associated with traditional laser resurfacing. This FDA-cleared treatment has been clinically proven to be safe and effective for skin rejuvenation. Both Clear + Brilliant and Fraxel Dual laser use fractional laser technology to create millions of tiny treatment zones, stimulating new collagen growth and replacing damaged skin. Since only part of the skin is treated during each session, the surrounding skin remains unaffected, resulting in minimal or no downtime. The main difference between the two lasers is the intensity and depth of treatment. Clear + Brilliant is a gentler alternative to Fraxel and works on all skin types and tones. The downtime with Clear + Brilliant is minimal, and the procedure is quick. Although they share a similar handpiece, Fraxel dual laser is more intense and typically involves a longer recovery and faster results. A key difference is that Fraxel is usually not used on darker skin tones because it can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. In contrast, Clear + Brilliant is safe for all skin types and tones.

What Clear + Brilliant laser is good for vs. Fraxel:

Clear + Brilliant laser was FDA-approved in 2011 for treating visible signs of aging, sun damage, and improving skin texture. The Clear + Brilliant laser delivers fractional laser energy to the skin, boosting skin cell turnover and collagen production. Faster skin cell turnover helps replace dead, pigmented skin cells with new, healthy ones. By stimulating collagen, the Clear + Brilliant laser can treat a variety of skin conditions, including:

• Sunspots or age spots
• Sun damage
• Fine lines
• Pore size (large pores)
• Acne scars
• Melasma
• Uneven skin tone
• Uneven skin texture

Fraxel laser therapy is a non-ablative skin resurfacing cosmetic procedure approved by the FDA in 2005 to treat a range of skin concerns, including acne scars, surgical scars, uneven skin texture, stretch marks, fine lines, brown spots, and sun damage. Fraxel laser treatment penetrates the dermis and boosts new collagen growth without vaporizing the outer layer of the skin. As a result, Fraxel laser therapy is able to treat:

• Acne Scars, especially atrophic or depressed scars
• Surgical scars, post-op scars, scars from injuries
• Fine lines
• Wrinkles
• Enlarged pores
• Sun spots, age spots, and other pigmented lesions
• Sun damage
• Uneven skin tone and texture
• Perioral lines (fine lines around the mouth)
• Periocular lines (fine lines around the eyes)
• Stretch marks
• Actinic Keratoses (pre-cancers)

Both lasers are fractional treatments used for skin rejuvenation, but they differ in intensity and purpose. Fractional lasers target small areas of the skin, creating tiny, deep columns of treated tissue. They are also non-ablative, meaning they heat the tissue without causing damage, which results in less downtime. Both options address various skin concerns, but it is best to consult with a board-certified dermatologist, like Dr. Green, to determine which treatment is right for you.

Which is better: Clear + Brilliant or Fraxel?

Both the Fraxel laser and Clear + Brilliant offer distinct benefits. While similar, the Clear + Brilliant laser can be used on all skin types to treat fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. The Fraxel Dual laser features two settings with different wavelengths: the 1550 nm wavelength targets skin texture issues like fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and surgical scars, while the 1927 nm wavelength addresses skin tone concerns such as sun damage, age spots, and hyperpigmentation. Neither laser is inherently better; it depends on the individual. To determine which laser best suits you, it’s advisable to schedule a consultation with Dr. Green to discuss your skin concerns and develop a treatment plan tailored to your aesthetic goals.

Who is the Best Candidate for the Fraxel Dual Laser?

The ideal candidate for the Fraxel laser resurfacing is a healthy person looking to improve specific skin issues such as fine lines and wrinkles, freckles, pigmentation, sun spots, age spots, stretch marks, pore size, and acne scars. Patients with skin types I through III are the best candidates for Fraxel laser. Patients with melasma are not suitable candidates because laser treatments can often worsen underlying melasma and its pigmentation.

For safety, effectiveness, and the best results, treatments should be done by a qualified, board-certified professional like Dr. Michele Green, a dermatologist in NYC. During your consultation at her boutique dermatology practice in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, she will review your medical and family history, examine the treatment area, and recommend the most appropriate options based on your needs, skin type, and skin tone.

Who is the Best Candidate for the Clear + Brilliant laser?

One of the benefits of the Clear + Brilliant laser is that it is a gentle, “color blind” laser, making it suitable for patients of all skin types and tones, including those with darker complexions and sensitive skin. Many patients with darker skin tones cannot use Picosure, CO2, Fraxel, or other fractional lasers because of the risk of unwanted side effects like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. These patients can now safely benefit from treatments with the Clear + Brilliant laser.

Does Clear + Brilliant or Fraxel Dual Laser hurt?

No, Clear + Brilliant and Fraxel are not painful treatments. To prepare for either procedure, Dr. Green will prescribe a topical anesthetic to be applied to the treatment area one hour beforehand. The numbing cream will help make the treatment comfortable and reduce any discomfort. Right after the treatment, some side effects might include a burning or tingling sensation, which we quickly address. For Clear + Brilliant, Dr. Green’s Vitamin C serum is applied to the skin, providing an instant cooling effect. For the Fraxel Dual laser, cold water is often used on the face to help relieve the burning and tingling sensations quickly.

Is Clear + Brilliant the same as the Fraxel laser?

Clear + Brilliant is often called a “mini-Fraxel,” but they are not the same. Although both are fractional laser treatments, Fraxel is a more powerful laser with deeper penetration. At the same time, Clear + Brilliant is a gentler option suited for a wide range of skin types and tones. Clear + Brilliant is typically used for minor sun damage and fine lines, whereas Fraxel targets more significant issues like acne scars and deeper wrinkles. Clear + Brilliant has very minimal downtime and requires less recovery time than Fraxel, making it ideal for people with busy schedules. The results also differ: Fraxel usually needs fewer treatments to see results, while the gentler Clear + Brilliant laser produces results that gradually become visible over multiple sessions.

Is Clear + Brilliant a fractional laser?

Yes, the Clear + Brilliant Permea is a fractional laser that creates tiny channels in the skin, stimulating collagen production and skin renewal. It uses a gentle, non-ablative laser to form these channels, making it suitable for most skin types. This laser targets only a small portion, or fraction, of the skin cells within the treatment area, allowing your skin to produce newer, stronger, and healthier cells than before. This treatment is an excellent laser resurfacing option that helps smooth out your skin’s surface for a more rejuvenated appearance.

Which is quicker: Clear + Brilliant or Fraxel?

Clear + Brilliant Laser is a faster treatment than the Fraxel laser. The Fraxel laser has a few days of recovery time, whereas the Clear + Brilliant has absolutely no downtime and can be performed during your lunch hour. Since Fraxel is a more intense laser that targets deeper skin layers, you may need fewer sessions to see comparable results to the Clear + Brilliant.

Which is cheaper: Clear + Brilliant or Fraxel?

Although prices vary by clinic, Clear + Brilliant generally costs less per session than the Fraxel Dual laser. However, it’s important to note that because Clear + Brilliant uses a milder fractional laser technology, it typically requires more treatments to achieve optimal results.

Is the Clear + Brilliant laser better than the Fraxel laser?

Fraxel Dual laser and Clear + Brilliant are both fractional lasers made by Solta Medical. The Clear + Brilliant is often called the “mini-Fraxel” because they both target similar skin concerns; however, their intensity and downtime vary. While no laser is inherently better, the best treatment depends on your specific skin concerns and the expected downtime. Clear + Brilliant laser boosts skin cell turnover and encourages collagen production, offering a gentler approach to laser resurfacing compared to Fraxel Dual laser. It works on a wider range of skin types and tones, but because it’s gentle, it usually requires more treatment sessions to get the desired results. Fraxel Dual laser has two wavelengths: the 1550 nm wavelength treats issues related to skin texture, such as fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and surgical scars, while the 1927 nm wavelength addresses skin tone concerns like sun damage, age spots, and hyperpigmentation. The controlled micro-injuries caused by Fraxel stimulate the skin’s natural wound-healing process, leading to new collagen production. While Fraxel Dual targets deeper skin layers and typically involves more downtime than Clear + Brilliant, it can produce noticeable improvements in just a few sessions. To find out which laser is best for your skin, it’s recommended to consult a board-certified dermatologist, like Dr. Green.

Which laser is best to treat melasma?

When it comes to lasers for treating melasma, Dr. Green generally does not consider this option. Melasma is a common skin condition that causes brown or gray-brown patches, mostly on the face. Laser treatments for melasma can be risky and might make the condition worse or cause new pigmentation issues. Lasers, especially those that use heat, can stimulate melanocytes (cells that produce melanin) to create more pigment, resulting in darker patches of skin, especially in individuals with darker skin tones. The heat from these lasers might also push pigment deeper into the skin, which makes treatment more difficult. For the best results, chemical peels like the Cosmelan Peel and the Mesopeel are effective options for treating hyperpigmentation and melasma.

Which laser is best for anti-aging?

Laser resurfacing is a popular anti-aging treatment because both the Clear + Brilliant and the Fraxel Dual laser help reduce the appearance of age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. While there is no single best treatment for everyone, the Fraxel Dual laser targets the deeper skin layers, addressing more noticeable lines, wrinkles, and age spots. These laser treatments work best when combined with other procedures like microneedling, dermal fillers, Botox, or Intense Pulse Light (IPL). Depending on your skin concerns, if you’re looking for a “mini facelift,” Thermage FLX is an excellent option for tightening skin while adding volume. With various options, each focused on specific skin issues, it’s best to consult with Dr. Green to develop a personalized, step-by-step anti-aging plan.

The Downtime for Clear + Brilliant

Clear + Brilliant is a gentle laser treatment that offers minimal downtime thanks to its fractional laser technology. Immediately after the procedure, you might notice mild sunburn and slight redness. This redness usually fades within 30 minutes and becomes unnoticeable. The treated areas may feel like fine sandpaper, which isn’t visible to others. This rough, dry skin is part of the skin’s “micro-peeling” response to the Clear + Brilliant laser and can be easily soothed by applying thick, hydrating moisturizers. Once this rough skin flakes off, fresh, healthy skin appears. It’s important not to exfoliate or use retinoids right after your treatment. Applying vitamin C serum three times a day can help enhance the skin’s ability to absorb antioxidants and boost the results of laser treatments. Like any laser procedure, it’s crucial to avoid excessive sun exposure and to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 50 for optimal protection. Any sun exposure after the treatment can lessen the rejuvenating effects of the Clear + Brilliant laser.

What is the downtime for the Fraxel Laser?

One of the main benefits of a non-ablative laser like Fraxel is minimal recovery time and few potential side effects. When Fraxel is performed with the 1550 nm setting, mild redness and swelling can last up to 48 hours. Using the 1927 nm wavelength, the treatment might cause an additional 3 to 7 days of peeling, during which the skin may feel rough, similar to sandpaper. Patients should avoid picking or scratching at the skin while it is flaking. After treatment, patients should avoid strenuous exercise, hot tubs, and saunas for 48 hours. It is important to keep the skin moisturized with a gentle, plain moisturizer and to avoid direct sun exposure, as Fraxel increases the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. Patients should apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 and wear sun-protective clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. When you have your Fraxel laser skin resurfacing with Dr. Green at her boutique dermatology office in NYC, she will provide all necessary aftercare instructions to help you achieve and maintain optimal rejuvenation results.

Skincare Routine Post-Treatment:

Post-treatment skincare for both Clear + Brilliant and the Fraxel Dual laser focuses on protecting the skin from sun damage. It’s vital to apply sunscreen to prevent sunburn and stop existing hyperpigmentation from worsening.

Post Clear + Brilliant Dual Laser

Immediately after the treatment with Clear + Brilliant, Dr. Green’s Vitamin C serum is applied as the laser increases the skin’s permeability. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps protect and brighten the skin while promoting the growth of new, healthy skin cells. Using MGSKINLAB’s topical Vitamin C serum three times daily following the treatment can help maximize the skin’s ability to absorb antioxidants and enhance the results of the laser procedure. As with any laser treatment, it’s important to avoid excessive sun exposure and to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 50 for optimal protection.

Post Fraxel Dual Laser

Immediately after the Fraxel laser treatment, apply cold water to soothe any burning or tingling sensations. Once the skin feels better, apply Aquaphor to moisturize and protect the treated area, aiding healing and reducing potential complications. This creates a protective barrier that helps prevent moisture loss, minimizes irritation, and shields the skin from bacteria. With this treatment, it is essential to always use SPF of at least 50 and wear a sunhat when outdoors to decrease the risk of hyperpigmentation or worsening existing pigmentation.

How do I get started with your laser treatment today?

Fraxel Restore and the Clear + Brilliant are non-ablative fractional laser treatments designed to improve skin tone and texture, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and minimize the appearance of scars and sun damage. They work by using fractional laser technology to stimulate collagen and elastin production, resulting in glowing, brighter, and tighter skin. Since Solta Medical developed these lasers, it can be challenging to tell them apart. Although similar, each has its differences. If you are dealing with fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and scars, it’s best to consult with Dr. Green to determine which treatment is right for you and help achieve your skin goals.

Dr. Michele Green is a world-renowned, board-certified dermatologist with over 25 years of experience helping discerning men and women through non-invasive treatments, including the Clear + Brilliant laser and Fraxel laser. She is consistently recognized as one of New York’s top physicians by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, Super Doctors, and The New York Times. She carefully personalizes a treatment plan for each patient after a thorough consultation, which includes an in-depth discussion of their skin concerns and cosmetic goals. Dr. Green employs a skillful approach to cosmetic dermatology, utilizing a holistic method for facial rejuvenation that yields a natural, radiant, and youthful appearance. If you want to improve or enhance your skin and reverse the visible signs of aging with minimal downtime and side effects, schedule a consultation with Dr. Green by contacting us online today or calling us at 212-535-3088.