Created by the makers of Fraxel, the Clear + Brilliant laser1 is a gentle skin rejuvenation technology that treats the skin at a shallow depth. A new approach to laser skin care, Clear + Brilliant offers a noticeable improvement in the texture and tone of the skin, without the downtime and recovery associated with laser skin resurfacing treatments.
If you’ve never had a laser treatment before, this is the one to start with! Affordable, easy to fit into the busiest of schedules, and able to be customized to your needs (fine lines and skin texture vs. sun spots and melasma, etc.) – this laser makes a big impact on those who either haven’t yet had a laser treatment.
Clear+Brilliant Quick Facts
- Visibly improves skin tone, texture, and radiance
- Comfortable and effective with minimal downtime
- Safe for all skin types
- Our most affordable laser skin rejuvenation treatment
Best Uses for Clear + Brilliant
Skin Texture & Enlarged Pores
Skin texture is on full display these days with all of the highlighting and clean makeup trends – and social media seems to be making us very much aware of how beautiful and youthful smooth skin looks. Texture is a normal part of aging, with almost all of us experiencing pores that get larger and more noticeable (especially if they become home to blackheads or sebaceous filaments), bumps and small scars, and crepey texture.
All of this can be repaired using lasers, which allow us to vaporize the problem areas, and encourage the skin to repair and remodel itself with new cells and increased collagen. Clear + Brilliant offers these benefits, while also being affordable and not requiring downtime, which makes it the easiest and best way to start your laser skin health journey.
- Downtime: 12 hours no makeup or skincare
- Recovery Redness: Sunburn-like
- Red Carpet Ready: 4 Days
- Safe for Skin Tones: all
- Numbing: numbing cream wears off in a few hours
- Cost: $475 for full face
Sun Damage
Clear+Brilliant has a special handpiece (handpieces set the wavelength and style of treatment) specifically for sun damage, called Permea. It works incredibly well to remove brown and red discoloration that occurs as the skin is damaged by the sun. This is a very normal sign of aging, but other lasers that remove sun damage often have long downtimes and high costs, while the Clear+Brilliant laser does not.
For those who have more sun damage, a series of treatments may be required – or a different treatment option may be better for your skin. Since Clear+Brilliant is just one of the dozens of sun damage removal lasers we offer, our doctors will help you select the very best treatment option for you, based on what matters most to you, such as numbing, downtime, time off work, costs, etc. during your free consultation appointment.
- Downtime: 12 hours no makeup or skincare
- Recovery Redness: Sunburn-like
- Red Carpet Ready: 4 Days
- Safe for Skin Tones: all
- Numbing: numbing cream wears off in a few hours
- Cost: $475 for full face
Melasma
Melasma can be very tricky to treat, especially with lasers. Lasers introduce heat into the skin and melasma responds poorly to heat (this is one of the reasons why you want to avoid the sun when you have melasma). However, in the right skin types, Clear+Brilliant can remove the stubborn brown patches of melasma incredibly well.
It’s important to see a physician who treats melasma with multiple modalities, and who performs Clear+Brilliant treatment for melasma because, in the wrong hands, this laser can make melasma worse. It’s all about the right settings and the right patient selection. Unfortunately, we’ve seen patients who had this done elsewhere when it wasn’t appropriate for them and we are now helping to reverse the damage. Clear+Brilliant is not the appropriate melasma treatment for any patient with a skin type 5+, and for some with skin type 4. We provide many different melasma treatments, not all of them are lasers, and we offer free consultations in person with our physicians for this.
- Downtime: 12 hours no makeup or skincare
- Recovery Redness: Sunburn-like
- Red Carpet Ready: 4 Days
- Safe for Skin Tones: 1-3, Some 4
- Numbing: numbing cream wears off in a few hours
- Cost: $475 for full face
View More Clear + Brilliant Before & After Results
More Before & AftersWhy Choose Us for Your Clear+Brilliant Treatments
Our practice was one of the first in the nation to offer Clear+Brilliant when it gained FDA approval in 20112. We work closely with Solta, the manufacturers of Clear+Brilliant and Fraxel Lasers, to train our staff on the safe and effective use of these lasers. We’ve been honored to do so for many years, due to our physicians’ deep understanding of laser physics and applications in cosmetic procedures.
Beyond our deep understanding and high level of experience with this particular device, what makes our practice the top choice in New Jersey for laser treatments is our dedication to providing patients with access to all of the best laser treatments, performed by physicians who specialize in these treatments. We know there is no one laser that does it all – or at least that does it all well. Each laser offers unique advantages, and we offer custom treatments for each individual patient, matching them with the best treatments for their concerns, budget, and lifestyle.
For more information about Clear+Brilliant, contact Reflections Center today. Your first step toward treatment will be to schedule a free consultation appointment.
Alternatives to Clear + Brilliant
There are many different laser options on the market, and we own well over 50 in our practice. Each does different things best. Clear + Brilliant is the best option for laser resurfacing with the least downtime for recovery. However, there are other non-laser options for skin resurfacing that also offer very little or no downtime.
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MicroRejuve
MicroRejuve℠ is a microneedling treatment with Hyaluronic Acid Filler and Botox which offers no-downtime smoothing of fine lines and skin texture improvement. Results from this procedure are instant and improve over time as the body grows new collagen. However, this procedure cannot target dark discoloration or skin pigment concerns the way a laser can. This treatment is very slightly more expensive than Clear+Brilliant due to the high cost of the Botox and fillers included in this treatment.
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Q Switched Lasers
Q-Switched Nd:Yag laser treatments can target pigmentation and offer skin tightening and toning results that are superior to Clear+Brilliant in a single session, with a similar downtime required. This treatment is slightly more expensive than Clear+Brilliant.
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Read MoreFrequently Asked Questions on Clear + Brilliant
- How much does Clear + Brilliant cost?
The most popular treatment area for Clear+Brilliant is the full face, which costs $450. Pricing goes up and down from there based on the size of the area treated.
We do offer discounted pricing on packages of treatments purchased together, and packages can be financed. Since you’ll need a series of Clear + Brilliant treatments to see the best results, this is a great way to make your treatments even more affordable. We also offer Reflections Rewards points on this and all laser treatments, as a way of saying thank you to our loyal patients. - What kind of results can I expect from a single Clear + Brilliant Laser treatment?
Each treatment of Clear+Brilliant offers skin resurfacing results that are noticeable. Patients often report feeling their skin is much softer and visibly smoother after a single treatment. Spots will lighten, but not completely disappear with a single treatment. This is why we usually recommend a series, and offer discounted package rates.
- What is the treatment like?
A typical treatment for the entire face takes about 30 minutes and is very comfortable. The Clear + Brilliant handpiece is gently guided over the treatment area, while the patented Intelligent Optical Tracking System ensures proper contact with the skin and an even application of the laser’s energy. We offer a topical numbing cream for this procedure.
- What's the downtime?
Your skin will be a little pink right after treatment, but you can resume all normal activities immediately. It is recommended you avoid going in the sun without sunscreen, which you should wear at all times anyway! The majority pinkness or redness should resolve within 24 hours, though you may experience rough patches as the skin exfoliates over the next 7 to 10 days. You should take the night off from wearing makeup, to ensure makeup doesn’t enter the deeper layers of the skin through the columns of treated skin. The same goes for any skin care products, which may have unintended effects if allowed to deeply penetrate the skin. Retinoids (retinol) and corticosteroids should be avoided for 1-2 weeks before and after treatment, to avoid over-stimulation of the skin as it prepares and recovers from the laser treatment. During your consultation, the physician will cover all the details you’ll need to know to ensure your treatment is easy, quick, and produces wonderful results.
- How many treatments will I need?
This varies for everyone, but most people see the best result after 4 to 6 treatments, spaced 2-4 weeks apart. After that, we recommend follow up treatments a few times a year to maintain your good results. These are general guidelines — we always tailor each patient’s skincare regimen to their unique needs. We do offer discounted package rates to help make the treatment regimen more affordable, and this can be financed.
- Is Clear + Brilliant safe on dark skin tones?
Clear + Brilliant works well on all skin types, including dark and olive skin tones. This is because the laser is attracted to water within the skin, not melanin cells (cells which give skin its color).
- How can I maximize the results of Clear + Brilliant?
Clear + Brilliant works best as a series of treatments, so that’s the first key to maximizing results. After your treatments, you’ll want to be fastidious about wearing sunscreen to protect your new skin. You’ll also want to periodically have maintenance treatments. Most patients have these once or twice a year to maintain their results.
- How often should you do Clear + Brilliant?
Clear and Brilliant is a gentle resurfacing laser, which can be performed every 2-4 weeks. If using this for rejuvenation, it is recommended to do at monthly intervals for a total of 3-4 treatments, then biannually from there.
- What wavelength is Clear + Brilliant?
There are two wavelengths that Clear and Brilliant laser uses. The 1927 nm wavelength is the most popular and improves fine lines, texture and pigmentation. The other wavelength, 1550 is used more for deep wrinkles and scars.
- When should I exfoliate after Clear+ Brilliant?
If you are going to exfoliate after having Clear and Brilliant laser, it should be no sooner than a few days after your treatment, and it should be gentle. Your skin will feel rough for a few days after this treatment, and thats a good sign that it is working to cause cell turnover. What you dont want to do is irritate the skin, which is already a little inflamed, because too much inflamation can lead to scarring or other bad outcomes. Please remember that scrubbing brushes, like Clarisonic, are exfoliating, and that is too much to do for at least 3-4 days after this laser, if not a week. Retinols can be restarted around day 4 or later, depending upon how sensitive your skin still feels.
- Can you do Clear + Brilliant in summer?
Yes, but its important you do not have a recent tan or sunburn within 2 weeks before or after this treatment, or any other laser or heat-based treatment, because skin can react poorly when this occurs.
- How often should you get Clear + Brilliant?
Clear and Brilliant is a gentle resurfacing laser, which can be performed every 2-4 weeks. If you’re using this for rejuvenation (as opposed to preventative maintenance), it is recommended to do at monthly intervals for a total of 3-4 treatments, then biannually from there. An individual treatment plan and regimen is created during the free consultation with our laser physicians.
- What should I do after Clear + Brilliant?
Be gentle with your skin following clear + brilliant laser treatment. Avoid exfoliation (chemical, including retinols or exfoliating washes, and physical, such as a face brush like Clarisonic), protect your skin from sun exposure for at least 2 weeks, avoid irritating skincare products for at least 3-4 days (such as Vitamin C, Retinoids/Retinols, & Hydroquinone, etc.), and consider using a skincare regimen meant for moisturizing and replenishing post-laser skin.
- Can you get Clear + Brilliant while pregnant?
No, we do not offer (nor suggest) laser treatments of any kind during pregnancy, and heres why: There has never been (and will never be, due to the immense liabilities) any study into the safety of such treatments, and so we think its best to play it safe.
- Does Clear + Brilliant help acne scars?
Yes, Clear + Brilliant can help resurface away acne scars, when the appropriate settings are used, and multiple treatments are done.
Sources:
- Elford E, and Bedi V. Enhanced Skin Permeability of Ascorbic Acid after CLEAR + BRILLIANT Permea Laser Treatment. MK 4103 Review. 2012 August.
- FDA Approval for Clear+Brilliant Laser
- Saedi N, Petrell K, Arndt K, Dover J. Evaluating facial pores and skin texture after low-energy nonablative fractional 1440-nm laser treatments. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013 Jan;68(1):113-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2012.08.041. Epub 2012 Oct 23. PMID: 23098639.
- Roy G. Geronemus, M.D., Lilia M. Correa, M.D., et al. Novel low energy low density nonablative fractional treatment of melasma and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. ASLMS 2013 Special Presentations.