As demand for naturally radiant glowing skin continues to grow, more and more patients are looking for clinically effective laser treatments with minimal recovery or downtime. Now we can deliver exactly that with the application of innovative, cutting-edge laser technology.
The development of Fraxel lasers, or fractional resurfacing lasers, was a revolution in laser evolution as it allowed for non-invasive skin rejuvenation with shorter recovery time and less side effects. In short, Fraxel (Fractionated Laser Resurfacing) uses microscopic light beams to create zones of micro wounds within the skin that trigger a healing response, while maintaining healthy skin in-between to hasten recovery. This results in new skin growth, stimulates collagen production, and smooth glowing surface texture. The original Fraxel treatments, while less invasive than alternative surgical treatments, are still considered an intensive process that causes deep injury. The resulting discomfort, irritation, or peeling that follows can last for days to weeks.
As the evolution of laser treatments continued, and market demands required treatments with less and less down time to fit modern day customers' needs and hectic lives, the smart engineers and entrepreneurs at Solta medical, the company that manufactures the original Fraxel lasers (such as Fraxel Restore or Fraxel Repair), realized the need for a device that yields nearly similar results as their original extremely successful laser platforms but with much less post procedure downtime and discomfort.
The result was the invention of the most effective but gentlest of fractional laser treatments available: Clear + Brilliant. But gentle does not equal weak; in fact, this amazing device, often dubbed the “Baby Fraxel,” can with several treatments reproduce equivalent or even better results than other lasers which are associated with greater down time and even potential for significant adverse events. That is why this treatment is beloved by Hollywood stars like Jennifer Aniston and Drew Barrymore. Clear + Brilliant can give great anti-aging results without the downtime you may experience with many other laser resurfacing treatments such original Fraxel lasers such as Fraxel Restore or Fraxel Repair. With Clear + Brilliant, patients typically experience mild redness and swelling for a few hours to a day or two.
How does Clear + Brilliant laser work?
Both Clear + Brilliant and original Fraxel treatments utilize the same fractional laser technology. What that means is Clear + Brilliant® works by creating thousands of superficial microscopic treatment zones in the upper layers of the skin, targeting and damaging roughly 20% of the skin’s surface, which is then replaced with healthy looking tissue and yields younger-looking skin. On the other hand, traditional Fraxel lasers such as Fraxel Retore and Repair are more aggressive treatments, creating deeper wounds in the skin, and targeting about 40% of the skin surface. Therefore, the more aggressive Fraxel lasers often only require 1 to 3 treatments for results. The Clear + Brilliant’s gentler approach can achieve similar results with a series of 4-6 treatments while avoiding the typical down time associated with tradition Fraxel lasers that can be anywhere from days to weeks. You ideally could schedule your Clear + Brilliant laser treatment for your lunch break and return to work the same day with none the wiser.
Is Clear and Brilliant laser safe?
Yes! Clear and Brilliant laser has one of the longest track records of safety and efficacy amongst all other laser devices with more than 15 clinical, peer-reviewed published articles in its track. It has delivered more than 2.5 million procedures that document how this fractional laser technology can create structural and functional changes to the skin, helping to prevent the early signs of aging, maintain youthful looking skin, and improve the skin's overall appearance. It can be safely used in all skin types from the very fair to very dark, and in all ages with customizable and predictable outcomes. Conversely, the traditional Fraxel lasers are only suitable for fair skin. The deep wounds and significant heat generated by these devices eliminates their use in darker skin types due to high risk of complications such as scarring, burning, and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. That being said, these devices are powerful and need to be utilized under supervision of a trained medical doctor with adequate experience and expertise in laser devices.
What results can I Expect with the Clear and Brilliant?
You can experience significant results in the following areas:
Improve pigmentation, including stubborn Melasma
Reduce the size of large pores
Maintain more youthful-looking skin
Prevent the early signs of aging skin
Stimulate collagen for a fresher, smoother, and more supple skin
Improve skin’s tone, texture, and radiance
Improve the appearance of fine lines and facial wrinkles
Increase your skin’s permeability, allowing it to absorb skincare products better
Improved elasticity
Improved acne scars
Softening of traumatic scars (surgical scars, injury, burns)
What makes Clear + Brilliant Touch Different?
The original Clear + Brilliant laser was FDA-approved in 2011 and became a cult favorite across the world for its safe, dependable, reliable and reproducible results while being much milder on the skin than traditional Fraxel laser treatments, promising its patients minimal irritation and virtually no recovery time.
Clear + Brilliant Touch is Solta Medical's next-generation laser, released in 2021, using both the original 1440nm and Perméa 1927nm wavelengths. This device provides a more versatile and efficient treatment for preventing the signs of aging, by delivering a customized and more comprehensive treatment protocol. By seamlessly switching between two wavelengths with the Original and Perméa® handpieces, patients can now receive more easily a more complete treatment during a single appointment. Performed in a series of 4 treatments, 3 to 4 weeks apart, you can expect VERY little downtime along with Clear + Brilliant results!
The thousands of microscopic channels in the skin created by the Perméa hand piece, allows penetration of your skin with personalized topical skin care ingredients designed for your individual skin needs during the treatment. These ingredients vary greatly but commonly include Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, growth factors and Sculptra to take the results to the next level. The addition of Regenerative Medicine products such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Exosomes has been an absolute game changer in not only seriously boosting the results, but also decreasing further the down time of Clear and Brilliant Touch!
Is Clear and Brilliant Laser Customizable?
Yes, this is a fully customized treatment. Depending on your skin type, degree of sun damage and skin tone, we can fully customize the treatment parameters including delivered energy, depth of energy delivery, and frequency and number of treatments, not to mention customizing the topical ingredients which are added to boost your results.
The Original (1440nm) treats a deeper depth of the dermis to help improve fine lines, minimize appearance of pores and boost collagen. The Perméa® (1927nm) hand piece treats a more superficial depth of the dermis to help improve skin tone, improve appearance of pigment, and increase skin permeability which results in more readily absorbed skincare products. Based on your skin issues, we decide how to combine these treatments to give you optimal results. The Perméa hand piece, for example, is safe and quite effective for treatment of Melasma, a unique feature among all laser devices.
What are the advantages of Clear and Brilliant Touch laser?
Requires little to no post-treatment downtime
Effective for patients of all ages and most skin types
Refreshes the skin and improves texture irregularities, uniformity of its tone and appearance to create a soft and smooth complexion
Combines two gentle but powerful laser wavelengths into one brilliant treatment, called the COMPLETE treatment
Can treat face, neck, chest and even hands in as little as 30-40 minutes
It is designed for both prejuvenation (aging preventative), and rejuvenation of the skin (treating aging skin)
Is fully customizable
What can I expect during my clear and Brilliant Touch Laser?
The complete treatment requires about an hour for a session, which includes time for prep and consultation.
Although this is a very tolerable treatment with minimal discomfort, the application of topical numbing cream to treated areas prior to treatment is very helpful in order to provide additional comfort.
After the numbing cream, we glide the Clear + Brilliant hand pieces over your skin for 30-45 minutes. The hand pieces have Intelligent Optical Tracking, to maintain proper contact with the skin and ensure that all areas are treated evenly. You might feel a scratching or prickly sensation from the laser energy; some people describe it as a slight stinging.
The treatment modalities ranges from high to low, which determine the density or percentage of the skin treated in tiny pixels and also vary with the number of passes performed. If your skin type allows, we recommend using the complete treatment, meaning utilizing all the passes and delivering all the energy in hand pieces for best results.
What Can I expect after my Clear and Brilliant Touch Laser?
There’s minimal downtime after your treatment. You can get back to your routine the same day. Your skin will feel a bit rougher for a few days as the old and weathered skin gently sloughs off to reveal the new and more youthful and radiant skin below. It moves through a bit of a fine-grit sandpaper-like phase to end up being very, very smooth. You might also experience a bit of pinkness or redness, and it may feel like you have mild sunburn for a few days. Some people actually enjoy the sunburned look!
To avoid hyperpigmentation, stay out of the sun during this time and be diligent about sunscreen use. Your fresh, new skin will be especially sensitive; making a habit of sun protection can prevent future skin damage.
You’ll also need to avoid activities that make you sweat for 24–48 hours after treatment, since the sweat could irritate your skin.
When Will I see results after Clear and Brilliant Laser Touch?
You’ll see some results immediately. One 30- to 45-minute treatment session can leave your skin feeling smoother, younger-looking, and give you that “radiant glow.” In fact, 100% of patients surveyed noticed some improvement after just one Clear + Brilliant® Complete Treatment. A week or two later, you’ll start to notice that your skin looks softer, brighter, and more evenly toned. Improvements will continue for another few weeks.
However, a series of 3-6 treatments spaced every 2-4 weeks are required to see real amazing results from this treatments, which progressively improve as collagen production continues. After this initial phase of treatment, plan to go in for one to three treatments, twice a year, to maintain or improve on your results. Routine treatments deliver noticeable results that keep others guessing your secret. You can almost halt the aging process of your skin with this approach!
Want to Know More?
To get all the answers to your questions surrounding Clear + Brilliant and/or Fraxel treatments, schedule your complimentary consultation by calling the office! We are always available and will be glad to see you. Dr. V and Jules, our lead laser technologist, has worked with Clear and Brilliant for years, and she will be glad to use her experience and expertise to answer all your questions and guide you in the right direction!
Meet Dr. Vanden Bosch!
Dr. V - Neda Vanden Bosch is the primary cosmetic physician at VBoutique. She is an accomplished physician with extensive training and experience with dermal fillers, collagen stimulators, laser and radiofrequency treatment, as well as skin care. Dr. V is licensed in 10 states. She is board certified by the American Board of Radiology.
Dr. V combines her artistry and deep understanding of facial aging with expert technique, and a variety of cutting edge laser devices to craft individual treatment plans for facial rejuvenation and body contouring. She also has exclusive access to the latest and most innovative aesthetic treatments available in the United States.
She is a highly-trained physician and sought after injector of dermal fillers and neurotoxins. With 10 years of experience in aesthetic medicine, she is a faculty member of the prestigious Galderma Injection Training Network (GAIN) and trains physicians how to perform cosmetic procedures. Dr. V was recently named to Galderma's Top 100 Injectors.
Dr. V has treated thousands of patients with injectables and has numerous of hours of experience perfecting specialized injection placement to correct facial volume loss and facial asymmetries. Preciseness with a woman's deft touch means the best and longest lasting results from volume replacement treatments.
Merz Aesthetics recognizes her as a highly regarded "Elite Provider" of Radiesse and Belotero dermal fillers, as well as neuromodulators. Dr. V is a participating physician in Allergan's Brilliant Distinctions Program for its Botox, Juvederm and Latisse products, and Galderma’s “Aspire Rewards” Program.
Most recently, Dr. V was named a "Top Doctor" by online, aesthetic and cosmetic treatment community Realself.com. This recognition is awarded to less than 10% of doctors on the website.